Equilibrium in 3D Example Note 2
Equilibrium in 3D Example Note 2
Equilibrium in 3D Example Note 2
Topic 3. Equilibrium in Three Dimensions – Part 3 Examples (Continued)
by
Dr. Sushanta Chakraborty
Department of Civil Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Reference: Engineering Mechanics: Statics
J. L. Meriam and L. G. Kraige
December 2020
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Example 3.2 (Ref: Meriam and Kraige Sample problem 3/7)
The welded tubular frame is secured to the horizontal x‐y plane by a ball‐and‐ socket joint at A and
receives support from the loose‐fitting ring at B. Under the action of the 2‐kN load, rotation about a
line from A to B is prevented by the cable CD, and the frame is stable in the position shown. Neglect
the weight of the frame compared with the applied load and determine the tension T in the cable, the
reaction at the ring, and the reaction components at A.
Figure Reference: Engineering Mechanics: Statics J. L. Meriam and L. G. Kraige
Solution:
Step 1 Identify the ‘body’ or the ‘mechanical system’ which is assembly of two rigid bodies‐ a
horizontal ‘T’ structure rigidly connected on a vertical shaft. The ball‐and‐socket joint at ‘A’ and the
loose fitting ring at ‘B’ and a cable at C along CD provide the ‘environment’ or the ‘supports’.
Step 2 Identify the forces and moments (both active and reactive) acting on the body.
The only active force is the 2 kN force parallel to the ‘y’ axis.
1
The reaction at ‘A’ will be the force components of reactions without any moments since ball‐and‐
socket joint does not provide any moment resistance.
The loose fitting ring at ‘B’ will provide only force reaction components on a plane parallel to x‐z
plane.
Eliminating anchor at ‘D’ will result a tensile force ‘T’ at ‘C’ along CD
Now draw the free‐body diagram (FBD)
Figure Reference: Engineering Mechanics: Statics J. L. Meriam and L. G. Kraige
Step 3 Apply equilibrium equations
It may be observed that if moment equilibrium is considered about the line ‘AB’, the effects of all the
force components at A and B will be nullified. The unknown vector 𝑇⃗ will be determined easily from
a vector treatment, since orientation of 𝑇⃗ is arbitrary but known and the force 𝐹⃗ is well defined in
magnitude and direction.
2
The direction of AB is defined by the unit vector along AB as 𝑛⃗ 4.5𝑗 6𝑘 𝑗 𝑘
√ .
The coordinates of C and D are (‐3,0,6) and (‐1,2.5,0)
Also, 𝐹⃗ 2𝑗
We need convenient points along the line of actions of the vectors 𝐹⃗ and 𝑇⃗ to determine the cross
products to find moment vectors about point A. Further to align these moments along the desired
direction, i.e. along line AB, a further dot product with 𝑛⃗ will be required.
For this purpose, two points‐ the point of application of 𝐹⃗ , as well as the point D are found to be
convenient here. The position vectors are
𝑟⃗ 1𝑖 2.5𝑗
𝑟⃗ 2.5𝑖 6𝑘
Moment of 𝑇⃗ about AB is the component in the direction of AB of the vector moment about the
point A and is equal to
𝑟⃗ 𝑇⃗. 𝑛⃗
Similarly,
Moment of 𝐹⃗ about AB is the component in the direction of AB of the vector moment about the
point A and is equal to
𝑟⃗ 𝐹⃗ . 𝑛⃗
Therefore, ∑ 𝑀 0 gives
Solving, T=2.83 kN
2𝑖 2.5𝑗 6𝑘
𝑇⃗ 2.83 0.833𝑖 1.042𝑗 2.5𝑘
√46.25
Thus, 𝑇 0.833 𝑘𝑁 , 𝑇 1.042 𝑘𝑁 , 𝑇 2.5 𝑘𝑁
Now the remaining force components can easily be found out by writing the scalar equilibrium
equations
Apply the force equilibrium equations‐
Σ𝐹 0 gives 𝐴 𝐵 𝑇 0
3
Σ𝐹 0 gives 𝐴 𝐵 𝑇 0
Now apply the moment equilibrium equations
4