NOTES AND PROBLEMS IN ENGINEERING MECHANICS

(A WORKBOOK/GUIDE FOR ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS)

By:Engr. Renato Guiao Gopez (MSCE – Structural)

CHAPTER 04
EQUILIBRIUM OF COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEM
4.0 TASK / OBJECTIVE
In this chapter, the main task is to analyze the forces acting on a rigid body, in which the conditions of equilibrium are to be
satisfied by identifying the value of the unknown loads, reaction forces, or support reactions.

4.1 DEFINITION OF EQUILIBRIUM

EQUILIBRIUM is the condition of a rigid body at rest where the resultant force and the resultant moment of a system of
forces acting on it are both equal to ZERO (this condition is sometimes termed “Static Equilibrium”).
All the external forces including couples that are acting on a rigid body balanced each other thereby maintaining an
equilibrium condition.

STATIC EQUILIBRIUM in an EQUATION FORM

Conditions or Equations of Static Equilibrium:

.1. R = O, that is 2. M OR =  M O = O
RX = ΣX = O and
RY = ΣY = O

4.2 EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCURRENT COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEM

Two or more forces that are passing at one common point have a resultant force that is equal to zero.

4.3 EQUILIBRIUM OF PARALLEL COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEM

Two or more forces whose lines of action are parallel have a resultant force and resultant moment that are equal to zero.

4.4 EQUILIBRIUM OF NON-CONCURRENT COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEM

Two or more forces whose lines of action do not pass at one common point and are not parallel to each other have a resultant
force and resultant moment that are both equal to zero.

EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCURRENT, PARALLEL, and NON-CONCURRENT

COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEMS

P1
T P2 Q
P3 P
P
P4

Q P5 T
W
W

ΣF = 0 = R R = 0
ΣX = 0 = RX ΣX = 0 = RX
ΣX = 0 = RX ΣY = 0 = RY
ΣY = 0 = RY
ΣY = 0 = RY
ΣM = 0 = M OR ΣM = 0 = M OR
R = 0

Chapter 04– Equilibrium of Force System 41

 NOTES AND PROBLEMS IN ENGINEERING MECHANICS
(A WORKBOOK/GUIDE FOR ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS)
By:Engr. Renato Guiao Gopez (MSCE – Structural)

4.5 FREE–BODY DIAGRAM (FBD)

FBD is the sketch of the isolated view of the body or group of bodies which shows only the external forces
exerted or acting on the body.
The mentioned sketch could be the FBD of a JOINT, a MEMBER or BODY, a group of MEMBERS or BODIES, or
the whole STRUCTURE.
The following table describes some of the most common types of bodily contact or support and the
corresponding representation of these bodies that were removed from the isolated body.
FREE-BODY DIAGRAMS

Type of Body Sketch of Action of Body Removed

Removed Reacting Bodies upon the Free Body

Earth

Earth W

T T
Flexible Cord,

Rope, or Cable
(weight neglected)

Smooth Surface
(Single point 90O
of contact) 90O
  
N  N

Rough Surface 90O

(Single point 90O
of contact)   
 FT FN FT
FN

R
Roller
Support
R
90O
 

A
AX
Smooth Pin AY
Or
Hinge Support B
BX
BY

D DX
Fixed (Built-in)
Cantilever
Support MD DY

Chapter 04– Equilibrium of Force System 42

 NOTES AND PROBLEMS IN ENGINEERING MECHANICS
(A WORKBOOK/GUIDE FOR ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS)
By:Engr. Renato Guiao Gopez (MSCE – Structural)

4.6 PROCEDURE IN CONSTRUCTING FREE-BODY DIAGRAMS:

1. Draw a sketch or diagram of the body or group of bodies completely isolated from all other bodies. This may consist of the
whole 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.
4. Indicate all the relevant dimensions of the isolated body.
5. Specify the position or angle of inclination of the line of action of all the forces acting on the isolated body.

4.7 SOME POINTERS TO REMEMBER IN CONSTRUCTING A FBD:

1. Neatness in drawing the isolated body.
2. All relevant dimensions, angles, and forces should be labeled clearly whether by their values (if known), or by symbols (if
unknown).
3. Use the symbols presented in the table for consistency.
4. Only external forces should be shown in the FBD.

4.8 COMMON STEPS FOR EQUILIBRIUM ANALYSIS OF A BODY

1. Draw the free-body diagram (FBD) of the body to be analyzed, that is, it should be isolated from the other bodies.
2. From the drawn FBD, identify the type of Force System acting on the isolated body.
3. Apply and write the conditions or equations of equilibrium for this type of force system based on the drawn FBD. That is, for
concurrent FS use ΣX = 0 and ΣY = 0; for parallel FS use ΣM = 0 and ΣY or ΣX = 0, or two ΣM = 0 equations; and for non-
concurrent FS use ΣM = 0, ΣX = 0, and ΣY = 0 or as the case may be.
4. Solve the equilibrium equations for the unknown forces or reactions.

PROBLEMS in EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCURRENT Force System

PROBLEM
A 200KN box resting on an inclined smooth surface is held in position by a force P acting as shown. Determine the
magnitude of this force P to maintain equilibrium.
Figure,
Smooth surface
3
4 200KN BOX

PROBLEM
Compute the tension on cables AB, BC, CD, CE, and EF of the system of cables joined together as shown.
Figure,

D F

60O
A C E
20O 40O

B
45O 60O
200KN

100KN

Chapter 04– Equilibrium of Force System 43

 NOTES AND PROBLEMS IN ENGINEERING MECHANICS
(A WORKBOOK/GUIDE FOR ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS)
By:Engr. Renato Guiao Gopez (MSCE – Structural)

PROBLEM
In the figure shown, determine the reactions at contact points A, B, C, D, E, and F. Assume that these contact points
are smooth. The weight of cylinder 1 is 800KN, cylinder 2 is 400KN, and cylinder 3 is 700KN.
Figure,

A G
Cylinder #1, diameter = 9m

B
H Cylinder #2, diameter = 4m
C
D
I
E Cylinder #3, diameter = 8m
F

10m
PROBLEM
In the figure shown, a load is supported by A
a cable and boom. If the load is 800KN, determine
the tensile force on the cable and the compressive cable
force on the boom. Neglect the weight of the boom. 6m
Figure,

C boom B

8m

800KN

PROBLEMS in EQUILIBRIUM OF PARALLEL F.S.

PROBLEM
A horizontal beam supported by a roller at point A and an hinge at point B carries parallel forces consisting of a
uniformly distributed load (UDL) and a uniformly varying load (UVL) as shown. Determine the reaction at the supports.
Figure,

20 KN/m 10 KN/m

A B

6m 4m

PROBLEM
A horizontal beam supported by a roller at point A and an hinge at point B carries a concentrated load (point load) and
a uniformly varying load (UVL) as shown. Determine the reaction at the supports.
Figure,
100 KN
20 KN/m

A B

6m 2m 2m

Chapter 04– Equilibrium of Force System 44

 NOTES AND PROBLEMS IN ENGINEERING MECHANICS
(A WORKBOOK/GUIDE FOR ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS)
By:Engr. Renato Guiao Gopez (MSCE – Structural)

PROBLEM
For the truss subjected by parallel forces as shown, determine the reaction at the roller and hinge supports.
Figure,
200 KN

200 KN
D
100 KN
B 90O F

30O 30O
A C G
12m 12m E 12m

100 KN

PROBLEMS in EQUILIBRIUM OF NON-CONCURRENT F.S.

PROBLEM
A horizontal beam supported by a roller at point A and an hinge at point B is subjected by a concentrated load, a
couple, and a uniformly distributed load (UDL) as shown. Determine the reaction at the supports.
Figure,

20 KN
10 KN/m
40 KN-m
60O
A
B
30O
2m 2m 2m 4m

PROBLEM
For the truss subjected by non-concurrent forces as shown, determine the reaction at the roller and hinge supports.
Figure,
200 KN

200 KN
D
100 KN F
B 90 O 200 KN

30O 12m 30O

A C E G
12m 12m
70O

100 KN
PROBLEM
Determine the reaction at the roller and hinge supports of the truss subjected by non-concurrent forces as shown.
Figure,
1000 KN

D 2000 KN
90 O 90O
1000 KN
B F

30O 30O
A C G
12m 12m E 12m

1000 KN

Chapter 04– Equilibrium of Force System 45

 NOTES AND PROBLEMS IN ENGINEERING MECHANICS
(A WORKBOOK/GUIDE FOR ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS)
By:Engr. Renato Guiao Gopez (MSCE – Structural)

PROBLEM
A uniform rigid bar which weighs 5 KN/m is supported by a cable at point B, a smooth horizontal floor at point A, and a
corner edge of a wall at point C. Neglecting the weight of the cable, draw the FBD of the uniform rigid bar and determine the
tension in the cable, the reaction force of the horizontal smooth surface, and the reaction on the corner edge of the wall.
Figure,
P = 2KN
2m
E

2m
D
wall uniform rigid bar
2m
cable B
2m
smooth surface A

8m

FBD of the uniform rigid bar,

P = 2KN

2m
E 10m

C WD = 5 (12) = 60KN

2m
RC D

2m
B
TB
2m
A

8m NA

ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS in EQUILIBRIUM OF F.S.

PROBLEM
For the beam loaded as shown, determine the reaction at the roller and hinge supports.
Figure,
30 KN 30 KN

10 KN/m
20 KN-m

B A

1m 5m 2m 3m

Chapter 04– Equilibrium of Force System 46

 NOTES AND PROBLEMS IN ENGINEERING MECHANICS
(A WORKBOOK/GUIDE FOR ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS)
By:Engr. Renato Guiao Gopez (MSCE – Structural)

PROBLEM
For the frame subjected by non-concurrent forces as shown, determine the reaction at the roller and hinge supports.

Figure, 600 KN

600 KN
A 2.5 m

B
2.5 m

C D 2.5 m
600 KN

2.5 m
E F

6m

PROBLEM.
In the figure shown, the 1000KN and 100KN blocks are connected by a negligible weight rigid bar. If all the contact
surfaces are smooth, determine the value of force P to maintain equilibrium in the system.
Figure,

1000KN block

B
45O
P

PROBLEM
In the horizontal beam loaded with a uniformly distributed load (UDL) and concentrated loads as shown, determine the
reaction at the hinge and roller supports on points A and B, respectively.
Figure,
20KN
20KN
20 KN/m

A B

2m 2m 3m 3m

Chapter 04– Equilibrium of Force System 47

 NOTES AND PROBLEMS IN ENGINEERING MECHANICS
(A WORKBOOK/GUIDE FOR ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS)
By:Engr. Renato Guiao Gopez (MSCE – Structural)

PROBLEM
In the figure shown, determine the
reaction at the contact points A, B, C, D
if the weight and diameter of cylinder #1 E
and #2 are 200KN, 2000KN, and 6m, 8m, Cylinder #2
respectively. Assume that all contact points
are smooth. C D
Figure, F Cylinder #1
A
B

8m

PROBLEM 80 KN 40 KN
Determine the reaction at the hinge
and roller supports of the truss loaded as shown.
Figure, C
A 12 m B 12 m

8m

E
D

12 m 6m
PROBLEM
For the truss loaded as shown, determine the reactions on its roller and hinge supports.
Figure,
60 KN 60 KN 60 KN

A 4m B 4m D 4m F 4m H

3m

I
C E G
3m

J K

3m

PROBLEM L
Determine the reaction at the rollers and hinges supports of
the beams loaded as shown.
Figure,
20KN

20 KN/m 20KN
Roller support
30O
A B C
6m
D

2m 2m 6m

Chapter 04– Equilibrium of Force System 48