Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MECH1A -1S-2020-2021

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Bayombong Campus

DEGREE PROGRAM BSCE COURSE NO. N145/N155/N165/N177

SPECIALIZATION CEM/SE/TE/WRE COURSE TITLE Statics of Rigid Bodies
YEAR LEVEL 2nd TIME FRAME 5 WK NO. 5-6 IM NO. 4

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE

Equilibrium of Force Systems

II. LESSON TITLE

Equilibrium

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

1. Equilibrium
a. Definition
b. Free-Body Diagrams
c. Equilibrium of Concurrent Force Systems
d. Equilibrium of Parallel Forces
e. Equilibrium of Non-Concurrent Force Systems

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. To determine the interaction of bodies in mechanics

2. To determine and apply the conditions necessary to produce equilibrium.

V. LESSON CONTENT

Equilibrium, a body is said to be in equilibrium when the force system acting upon it has a ZERO
resultant. The physical meaning of equilibrium, as applied to a body, is that the body is either is at rest or
is moving in a straight line with constant velocity.

Free-Body Diagrams

Some problems in mechanics always involve the interaction of bodies upon one another. Successful
solution of these problems generally requires that the bodies be isolated from one another so that the
forces involved may be analyzed and unknown forces determined.

An isolated view of a body which shows only the external forces exerted on the body is called a free body
diagram or FBD. These external forces are caused either by direct bodily contact or by gravitational or
magnetic attraction. Some of the FBD diagram is shown below:

Some of the more common types of bodily contact or support and shows how to represent the action of
the body to be removed upon the isolated free body.

1. The earth’s pull is always shown as a downward force equal to the weight “W” of the free body and
passing through its center of gravity.
2. The action of a flexible cord, rope, or cable is represented by a tension pull “T” directed along the
cord.
3. The action of the smooth surface is shown by a force “N” acting perpendicular to the smooth surface
because there can be no resistance to sliding along such a surface.
4. A roller support exerts a reaction “R” that is perpendicular to the surface along which the roller can
move.
5. A smooth pin or hinge support, the supporting force “F” can be exerted in any direction; such a force
is usually shown as TWO independent components which, when known can be combined to
determine the supported force and its inclination.
NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 1 of __
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MECH1A -1S-2020-2021
6. Cantilever – A built in support prevents all motion of the body at the support.

Notice that although forces always occur in pairs, a free body diagram shows only the forces acting upon
the body being considered. It does not show the forces exerted by the free body upon other bodies.

Steps in drawing FBD:

1. Draw a diagram of the body completely isolated from all other bodies. The free body may consist of
an entire assembled structure or any combination or part of it.
2. Represent the action of each body or support that is removed by a force or its components.
3. Label each force by its magnitude, if known, or by a symbol, if unknown.

Equilibrium of Concurrent Force Systems

The conditions of equilibrium for concurrent force systems are obtained by determining the equations
that produce a zero resultant. Therefore:

𝛴𝐹𝑥 𝑜𝑟 𝐹ℎ = 0 𝛴𝐹𝑦 𝑜𝑟 𝐹𝑣 = 0

These equations are known as the conditions of equilibrium. It is important to note that with two conditions
of equilibrium, only two unknown quantities can be determined to create equilibrium of a concurrent force
system.

Sample Problem 1

The homogenous 6-m bar AB in Figure is supported in the vertical plane by rollers at A and B and by a
cable at C. The mass of the bar is 50 kg. Draw the FBD of bar AB. Determine the number of unknowns
on the FBD.

Solution: The FBD of bar AB is shown in Fig. The first step in the construction of this diagram is to sketch
the bar, assuming the supports have been removed. Then the following forces are added to the sketch.

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 2 of __

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MECH1A -1S-2020-2021

W – Weight of the Bar; The weight “W” is shown as a vertical force acting at G, the center of gravity of
the bar. Because the bar is homogenous, G is located at the center of the bar. The magnitude of the
weight is W = mg = 50*9.81 = 491 N.

Na – Normal Reaction at A

Removal of the roller support at A dictates that we show the force that this support can exert on the bar.
We note that a roller support can exert a single force that is normal to the supporting surface. Therefore,
on the FBD we show the reaction at A as a vertical force and label its magnitude as NA.

Nb: The Normal Reaction at B

Following an argument similar to that for NA, we conclude that the removal of the roller support at B
means that we must show a horizontal force at that point. On the FBD, we label this reaction as NB.

T: The Tension in the Cable at C

- The force exerted by a cable is a tensile force acting in the direction of the cable. Therefore, the force
exerted on the bar by the cable is shown as a force of magnitude T, acting at 20◦ to the horizontal.

We note that there are three unknowns on the FBD: the magnitudes of the three reactions (Na, Nb, and
T).

Sample Problem 2

A cylinder weighing 400 lb is held against a smooth incline by means of the weightless rod AB in Fig. P-
309. Determine the forces P and N exerted on the cylinder by the rod and the incline.

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 3 of __

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MECH1A -1S-2020-2021
Solution:

Sample Problem 3

A rigid frame is fabricated by joining the three bars with pins at B, C, and D, as shown in Fig (a). The
frame is loaded by the 1000-lb force and the 1200lb-f couple. The supports consist of a pin at A and a
roller support at E. Draw the FBD of the frame, neglecting the weights of the member. How many
unknowns are on the FBD?

Solution:

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 4 of __

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MECH1A -1S-2020-2021
Sample Problem 4

The homogenous, 120 kg wooden beam is suspended from ropes A and B. A power wrench applies the
500N-m clockwise couple to tighten a bolt at C. Use the given FBD to determine the tensions in the ropes.

Solution

Sample Problem 5

The telephone cable spool in Fig (a) weighs 300 lb and is held at rest on a 40-degree incline by the
horizontal cable. The cable is wound around the inner hub of the spool and attached to the support at B.
Assume that G, the center of the spool, is located at the center of the spool. Find all forces acting on the
spool.

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 5 of __

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MECH1A -1S-2020-2021

Equilibrium of Parallel Forces

The conditions for equilibrium of parallel force systems are determined from the conditions necessary to
create a zero resultant. Using the concepts above, we can also solve the following problems below.

Sample Problem 1:

A beam, simply supported at the ends, carries a concentrated load of 300 lb and a uniformly distributed load
weighing 100lb per linear foot, as shown in the figure. Determine the beam reactions.

Solution:

To begin, the uniformly distributed load is equivalent to a resultant of 6 x 100 = 600 lb acting at the center of
gravity load diagram. This resultant is represented by the dotted line vector of 600 lb. The original loading
produces he same reactions as the equivalent two concentrated loads.

R2 is found by taking moments about a point on the line of action R1, thereby eliminating from the moment
equation.

𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 − 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒, 𝛴𝑀𝑅1 = 0

10𝑅2 − 600 𝑥 7 − 300 𝑥 2 = 0
R2 = 480 lb

𝛴𝐹𝑣 = 0, ↑
R1 – 300 – 600 + R2 = 0
R1 = 420 lb

Sample Problem 2

The upper beam in Fig. is supported by a reaction R3 at D and a roller at C which separates the upper and lower
beams. Determine the reactions R1, R2, and R3.

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 6 of __

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MECH1A -1S-2020-2021
Solution:

The FBD of the assembled beams is statically indeterminate. There are three unknown forces and only two
independent equations of equilibrium available. By taking the assembly apart and drawing a separate FBD of
each beam as shown in (b) and (c), we expose the contact force F exerted by the roller C as an additional
unknown. As compensation for this additional unknown force, however, we may write two independent equations
for each FBD to obtain a total of four independent equations of equilibrium. Thus for (b), we obtain:

Sample Problem 3

Determine the reactions at the supports.

Solution: Seeing the diagram, A is a pin support (2 reactions labeling
Ax and Ay) and C is a roller support (1 reaction, Cy). We take moment
at A.

𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 − 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒, 𝛴𝑀𝐴

=0
4𝐶𝑦 − 2𝑥3 = 0
𝐶𝑦 = 1.5 𝑘𝑁, 𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑠

Since there is only one reaction at the x direction to the right, Ax therefore is also 3 kN but directed to the left.
And Since Cy is directed Upward, Ay must be downward. Just to attain equilibrium on the frame.

Sample Problem 4:

Referring to Fig (a), draw he FBD for the entire frame and for each of its parts, neglecting the weights of the
members.

Solution:

Determine the external forces on the whole frame. Fig. b

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 7 of __

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MECH1A -1S-2020-2021
Then separate the two members and label their internal forces.

Upon determining the value of the forces, use the applications or formulas indicated this is lesson or module.

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Read pg. 143 – 194 on the PDF or book, “Understanding Engineering Mechanics: Statics” by Pytel and
Kiusalaas.

VII. ASSIGNMENT

1. The man is holding up the 35-kg ladder ABC by pushing perpendicular to the ladder. If the maximum
force that the man can exert is 400 N, determine the smallest angle ϴ at which he can support the
ladder. (Figure P4-20)
2. Figure P-313 represents the concurrent force system acting at a joint of a bridge truss. Determine the
value of P and F to maintain equilibrium of the forces.
3. The five forces shown in Fig. P 314 are in equilibrium. Compute the values of P and F.
4. The system of knotted cords shown in Fig P-317 support the indicated weights. Compute the tensile
force in each cord.
5. The truss shown in Fig. P323 is supported by a hinge at A and a roller at B. A load of 20 kN is applied
at C. Determine the reactions at A and B.
6. Forces P and F acting along the bars shown in Fig P327 maintain equilibrium of pin A. Determine
the values of P and F.
7. Determine the reactions for the beam shown in Fig P-332
8. The wheel loads on a jeep are given in Fig P342. Determine the distance x so that the reaction of the
beam at A is twice as great as the reaction at B.
9. The frame shown in Fig. P348 is supported in pivots at A and B. Each member weighs 5kN/m.
Compute the horizontal reaction at A and the horizontal and vertical components of the reaction at B.
10. Compute the total reactions at A and B on the truss shown in Fig. P-354.
11. Replace the loading acting on the beam by a single resultant force. Fig 4-117
12. Determine the reactions at the supports A and B for equilibrium of the beam. Fig 5-92.
13. The homogenous 60-kg disk supported by rope AB rests against a rough vertical wall. Using the given
FBD, determine the force in the rope and the reaction at the wall.

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 8 of __

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MECH1A -1S-2020-2021

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 9 of __

 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MECH1A -1S-2020-2021

VIII. REFERENCES

1. Singer, Ferdinand L., Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics.

2. Beer, Ferdinand P. and Johnson, E. Russel Jr., Mechanics for Engineers.
3. Hibbeler R.C., Engineering Mechanics: Statics
4. Pytel, Andrew and Kiusalaas, Jaan, Understanding Engineering Mechanics: Statics.

NVSU-FR-ICD-05-00 (081220) Page 10 of __