LECTURE SERIES:

ENGINEERING MECHANICS (STATICS)

Prepared by:
Engr. Raphael Nico S. Castañeda

Lecture 9 (Coverage):
• Resultants of Coplanar Force System
Definition of Resultant
In this section, we will elaborate deeply the definition of resultant and how
does it applies to different force systems. By definition, the resultant of a
force system is the simplest form or system that can replace the original
system without altering its effect (externally) on a rigid body. The word
simplest implies that a single force is simpler than two forces, a single
couple is simpler that two couples, a single force is simpler than a force and
a couple.
Definition of Resultant
As explained in the previous chapter, in general, the resultant of a force
system is a force-couple system and acting at an arbitrary point. And
from the concept of changing the line of action of a force, that if and 𝑹
are mutually perpendicular, they can also be simplified to a single force.
The following are the resultant of a force system:
(1) A resultant force , if or and are mutually perpendicular.
(2) A resultant couple-vector if .
(3) A resultant force-couple system and , if and are not mutually
perpendicular.
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
In this section, we will discuss on how to determine the resultant of different
types of coplanar force system specifically general coplanar force system,
parallel force systems, and concurrent force systems.
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
We will start first with the general coplanar force system shown in the
figure below. The resultant of the force system can be determined by using
the following procedure:
(1) Replace the original force system with an equivalent force-couple
system consisting of (with components and ) and
(with magnitude ) acting at point as shown in (b).
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
We will start first with the general coplanar force system shown in the
figure below. The resultant of the force system can be determined by using
the following procedure:
(2) Note that by doing the first procedure, this will result with three possible
outcomes: (1) , the resultant is the couple , (2) , the resultant
is the force acting at point , (3) and , the resultant is the
force not acting at point .
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
We will start first with the general coplanar force system shown in the figure
below. The resultant of the force system can be determined by using the following
procedure:
(3) In the case that and , we can locate the line of action of the
resultant force (which is not passing through point ) by calculating the distance
between and the line of action of force as shown in (c). Note that the
direction of from must be determined using the concepts of changing the line of
action of a force.
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Example: Given:
For the force system given in the
figure shown, three forces and a
couple is acts on the arm of an
excavator. Determine the resultant and
show your answer on a sketch of the
coordinate system.
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
We first calculate the equivalent force-
couple system acting at point O by
calculating the components of the
resultant force and magnitude of the
resultant couple-vector:

or

or
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
We first calculate the equivalent force-
couple system acting at point O by
calculating the components of the
resultant force and magnitude of the
resultant couple-vector:

or
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
The magnitude of and the angle that
makes with the -axis is:
 

The location of from point is:

Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Answer: Given:
The resultant is force
located in the figure below. Note that
is located at a distance
with a clockwise sense since is
also clockwise.
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Example: Given:
The resultant of the force system in
given figure is a 500 lb in counter-
clockwise couple. Determine , and
.
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
Since the resultant is a couple
, therefore and
. Using the equations for the
components of , we get:

Calculating eq. 1 and eq. 2

simultaneously, we get and
.
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
Using the third equation , it
is not necessary that we choose point
since the resultant force is zero
and a couple is a free vector. We can
choose a different point (any point), in
this case we will try point .

Substituting in eq. 3, we get

Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Answer: Given:
, , and
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
For concurrent (coplanar) force system as shown in the figure below at (a).
Since all the forces acts through the point of concurrency , we can say that
. The resultant force which is located at , has its
components calculated using and as shown in the figure
below at (b).
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Example: Given:
For the given figure, the force is the
resultant of the other three concurrent
forces shown. Determine the
magnitude and .
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
Using the two available scalar
equations and for
concurrent (coplanar) force system:

Solving eq. 1 and eq. 2

simultaneously, we get and
.
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
The negative sign on indicates that
its direction is opposite in the figure.
The direction for both and is
shown below:

Answer:
and
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
In the case of parallel (coplanar) force system as shown in the figure below
at (a), if the forces are parallel to the -axis, the equivalent force-couple
system at (b) can be calculated using the equations:
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
If , the resultant force is located at a distance of following
the concept of changing the line of action of a force. If , the resultant is
the couple .
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Example: Given:
Replace the loading system by an
equivalent resultant force and specify
where the resultant’s line of action
intersects the beam measured from O.
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
We first calculate the equivalent force-
couple system at point :

or
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Solution: Given:
The location of R from point O is:

Answer:
The resultant is a force
located at a distance to the
right of point .
Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems
Answer: Given:
The resultant is a force
located at a distance to the
right of point .
 Let’s Practice!
Practice Problem: Given:
Replace the loading system by an
equivalent resultant force and specify
where the resultant’s line of action
intersects the member AB measured
from A .

Answer:
F = 11.2 kN at 63.4° from the
horizontal intersecting member AB at
0.2m from point A
 Let’s Practice!
Practice Problem: Given:
The weights of the various
components of the truck are shown.
Replace this system of forces by an
equivalent resultant force and specify
its location measured from point A .

Answer:
10.75 kips at 13.7 ft from point A
 Let’s Practice!
Practice Problem: Given:
The resultant of the three concurrent
forces acting on the eyebolt is the
force R=800j lb. Determine the
magnitude of the force P and the
angle θ that specifies the direction of
the 900-lb force.

Answer:
P = 348 lb, θ = 33.7°
 END OF LECTURE

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