Chapter

2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

2-7 Couples

Sometimes the resultant of a force system will be zero in magnitude and

yet have a resultant moment sum. Consider the force system shown,

Figure 2.7.1

The magnitude of the resultant is given by

↑𝑅 = 𝛴𝐹 (assuming upward forces positive)

↑𝑅 = −10 + 20 + 30 − 40

𝑅= 𝟎

From the formula of the parallel force system, 𝑅. 𝑑 = 𝛴𝑀, when 𝑅 = 0, then
it may follow that 𝛴𝑀 = 0. However, if we take the moment of the forces at point A,
we find

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = (10)(2) − (20)(5) − (30)(6) + 40 (8) = 60 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏

In this case, the given force system has zero resultant yet have a resultant
moment sum. Let us also try to take moment sums about the other points B, C, D
and E as follows:

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐵 = −(20)(3) − (30)(4) + 40 (6) = 60 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐶 = −(10)(3) − (30)(1) + 40 (3) = 60 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐷 = −(10)(4) + (20)(1) + 40 (2) = 60 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐸 = −(10)(6) + (20)(3) + 30 (2) = 60 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏

It is found out that the resultant is seem to have the same clockwise
moment effect regardless of where the moment center is chosen.

This special case in which the resultant has zero magnitude but does have
a moment is said to consist of a couple.

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

A couple is made up of two forces, equal in magnitude, opposite in

direction and parallel in action.

Moment Arm of the Couple- the

perpendicular distance between the
action lines of the forces

Figure 2.7.2
Pt.slideshare.net

F The moment sum of a couple is

constant and independent of the
moment center (figure 2.7.3)
d

Moment of the couple at A and B are

A
equal
F
↻ 𝜮𝑴𝑨 = 𝑭. 𝒅
B
Figure 2.7.3
↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐵 = 𝐹 (𝑑 + 𝑎) − 𝐹. 𝑎
= 𝐹. 𝑑 + 𝐹. 𝑎 − 𝐹. 𝑎
↻ 𝜮𝑴𝑩 = 𝑭. 𝒅

Therefore, we conclude that the moment of a couple “C” is equal to the

product of one of the forces composing the couple multiplied by the perpendicular
distance between their lines of action. This relation is expressed by the equation

𝑪 = 𝑭. 𝒅

whrere: C = moment of the couple

F = magnitude of the force
d = perpendicular distance between the line of actions of the
couple forces

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies
A force couple is a way to produce a moment without a net force.

Figure 2.7.4
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Illustrative Problem 1) A couple consists of two vertical forces of 60 lb

each. One force acts up through A and the other acts down through D. Transform
the couple into an equivalent couple having horizontal forces acting through E and
F.

Moment of Couple acting at points A and D

𝐶𝐴𝐷 = 𝐹. 𝑑

= (60)(3)

𝐶𝐴𝐷 = 180 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏 (𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒)

Equivalent Force-Couple acting at E and F

𝐶𝐸𝐹 = 𝐹. 𝑑

Figure 2.7.5 (a) 180 = (𝐹 )(2)

𝐹𝐸𝐹 = 90 𝑙𝑏

The transform the couple, the moment of the

couple acting at points AD and the couple at
points EF must be equal.

𝐶𝐴𝐷 = (60)(3) = 180 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏 (𝑐𝑐)

𝐶𝐸𝐹 = (90)(2) = 180 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏 (𝑐𝑐)

Figure 2.7.5 (b)

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Illustrative Problem 2) Show that the moment of the couple is

independent of the moment centers at points A, B and C.

Figure 2.7.6
Solution:
Moment of the couple at points A, B and C

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = (50)(1) − (50)(4) = −150 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐵 = −(50)(2) − (50)(1) = −150 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐶 = −(50)(4) + (50)(1) = −150 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏

Hence, the magnitude of the moment of the couple are always equal at any
given point. To get the moment of the couple, we simple use the formula

𝐶 = 𝐹. 𝑑 = (50)(3) = 150 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏 (𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒)

Note: The direction or sense of the moment of the couple can be

determined by inspection from the direction of their forces.

Illustrative Problem 3) Determine the resultant moment about point A of

the system of forces shown. Each square is 1 ft on a side.

Figure 2.7.7 (a)

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Solution:
The force system in figure 2.7.5 (a) contains two pairs of couple, the 80 lb
and 100 lb forces. To get the moment of the forces at A, resolve only the non-
couple forces, P and Q into components.

2 2
𝑄𝑉 = 𝑄= (100) = 89.44 𝑙𝑏 (𝑢𝑝)
√5 √5

1 1
𝑄𝐻 = 𝑄= (100) = 44.72 𝑙𝑏 (𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡)
√5 √5

2 2
𝑃𝑉 = 𝑃= (200) = 110.94 𝑙𝑏 (𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛)
√13 √13

3 3
𝑃𝐻 = 𝑃= (200) = 166.41 𝑙𝑏 (𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡)
√13 √13

Figure 2.7.7 (b)

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After getting the components of the forces P and Q, find the moment of the
force system at point A. For the moment of a couple, use the formula, 𝐶 = 𝐹. 𝑑

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 𝑄𝑉 (0) − 𝑄𝐻 (4) + 𝑃𝑉 (2) + 𝑃𝐻 (3) + 80 (2) − 100 (√2) − 300

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = (89.44)(0) − (44.72)(4) + (110.94)(2) + (166.41)(3)

+80 (2) − 100 (√2) − 300

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0 − 178.88 + 221.88 + 499.23 + 160 − 141.42 − 300

𝜮𝑴𝑨 = 𝟐𝟔𝟎. 𝟖𝟏 𝒇𝒕. 𝒍𝒃 (𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆)

Engr. Edna P. Montañez | Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges

Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Illustrative Problem 4) Two couples act on the beam as shown.

Determine the magnitude of F so that the resultant couple moment is 300 ft.lb
counterclockwise. Where on the beam does the resultant couple act?

3
4
F

Figure 2.7.8 (a)

Since the distance between the couple F is not given, the best way to find
the moment of the couple F is to resolve it into its equivalent components

Fy

For the resultant couple of the given force system;

↻ 𝛴𝑀𝑅 = −𝐹𝑥 (1.5) − 𝐹𝑦 (4) + 200(1.5)

4 3
Substitute 𝐹𝑥 = 5
𝐹 and 𝐹𝑦 = 5
𝐹 and resultant moment 𝑀𝑅 = 300 𝑓𝑡. 𝑙𝑏 (𝑐𝑐)

4 3
−300 = −( 𝐹) (1.5) − ( 𝐹) (4) + 200(1.5)
5 5

Simplify the equation and solve for force F

4 3
( 𝐹) (1.5) + ( 𝐹) (4) = 200(1.5) + 300
5 5

𝑭 = 𝟏𝟔𝟔. 𝟔𝟕 𝒍𝒃

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=636jAlfIEuI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CVpvh76t-I

Do-it-Yourself

Practice Activity

1. A couple is applied as shown, find the moment of the couple.

50 N

1m 2m
4 5
Figure 1 3

2. A vertical force P at A and another vertical force at B in the figure

produce a resultant of 100 lb down at D and a counterclockwise
couple C of 200 lb-ft. Find the magnitude and direction of forces P
and F.

Figure 2
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Read the topic “Couples” in preparation for the next module.

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies
WORKSHEET No. 6

Name: _____________________________________ Course/Year: ___________

Instructor: __________________________________ Rating: ________________

Instruction: Answer the following problems:

1. Angled bar ABCDE is loaded with several force couple as shown. Find:
a. Determine the magnitude and direction of each force couple pair.
b. Determine the equivalent moment and direction of all of the force
couples combined.

Figure 1

2. Curved bar AB is loaded with a 100 lb force couple and a 1500 lb-in.
couple as shown. Find the resultant moment of the force system.

100 lb

Figure 2

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Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

3. Two couples act on the beam with the geometry shown. Find the magnitude of F
so that the resultant couple moment is 1.5 kN.m clockwise.

Figure 3

4. Two couples act on the beam with the geometry shown. Find the resultant couple.

Figure 4

5. In the figure shown, determine the moment of the force system about A.

Figure 5
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Engr. Edna P. Montañez | Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges

Chapter
2 Statics of Rigid Bodies

References:
https://www.rpi.edu/dept/core-eng/WWW/IEA/s17/Lectures/Lecture%2011.pdf
https://www.purdue.edu/freeform/statics/wp-
content/uploads/sites/13/2018/10/LectureNotes_Period_7-min.pdf

Engr. Edna P. Montañez | Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges