A free body diagram is a tool used to

solve engineering mechanics

problems.
As the name suggests, the purpose of
the diagram is to "free" the body from
all other objects and surfaces around it
so that it can be studied in isolation.
We will also draw in any forces or
moments acting on the body, including
those forces and moments exerted by
the surrounding bodies and surfaces
that we removed.
The first step in solving most mechanics problems will be to construct a free body diagram.
This simplified diagram will allow us to more easily write out the equilibrium equations for
statics or strengths of materials problems, or the equations of motion for dynamics problems.

To construct the diagram we will use the following process:

1.First draw the body being analyzed, separated from all other surrounding bodies and
surfaces. Pay close attention to the boundary, identifying what is part of the body, and what
is part of the surroundings.
2. Second, draw in all external forces and moments acting directly on the body. Do not
include any forces or moments that do not directly act on the body being analyzed. Do not
include any forces that are internal to the body being analyzed.

3. Once the forces are identified and added to the free body diagram, the last step is to label
any key dimensions and angles on the diagram.
Some common types of forces seen in mechanics problems are:
1. Gravitational Forces:
Unless otherwise noted, the mass of an object will result in a gravitational weight
force applied to that body. This weight is usually given in pounds in the English
system, and is modeled as 9.81 (gg) times the mass of the body in kilograms for the
metric system (resulting in a weight in Newtons). This force will always point down
towards the center of the earth and act on the center of mass of the body.
2. Normal Forces (or Reaction Forces)
Every object in direct contact with the body will exert a normal force on that body which prevents the two objects
from occupying the same space at the same time. Note that only objects in direct contact can exert normal forces on
the body.
•An object in contact with another object or surface will experience a normal force that is perpendicular (normal) to
the surfaces in contact.
•Joints or connections between bodies can also cause reaction forces or moments, and we will have one force or
moment for each type of motion or rotation the connection prevents.
3. Friction Forces:
Objects in direct contact with the body can also exert friction forces, which will resist the two bodies sliding against
one another, on the body
These forces will always be perpendicular to the surfaces in contact. Friction is the subject of an entire chapter in
this book, but for simple scenarios we usually assume rough or smooth surfaces.
•For smooth surfaces we assume that there is no friction force.
•For rough surfaces we assume that the bodies will not slide relative to one another, no matter what. In
this case, the friction force is always just large enough to prevent this sliding.
4. Tension in Cables:
Cables, wires or ropes attached to the body will exert a tension force on the body in the direction of the cable.
These forces will always pull on the body, as ropes, cables and other flexible tethers cannot be used for pushing.
 Example no. 1
The drawing below shows two boxes sitting on a table. Draw a free body diagram of box A and box B.

𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁1
𝑊𝑊𝐴𝐴 = 3𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙

𝑊𝑊𝐵𝐵 = 5𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙

A B

𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁1
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁2
 Example no. 2
Two equally sized barrels are being transported in a handtruck as shown below. Draw a free body diagram of each of
the two barrels.
𝑦𝑦
𝑊𝑊𝐴𝐴 = 150𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑥𝑥

𝑦𝑦
𝑊𝑊𝐵𝐵 = 200𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑥𝑥
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁1 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁2
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁2

𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁3
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁4
 Example no. 3
The car shown below is moving and then slams on the brakes locking up all four wheels. The distance between the
two wheels is 8 feet and the center of mass is 3 feet behind and 2.5 feet above the point of contact between the
front wheel and the ground. Draw a free body diagram of the car as it comes to a stop.
𝑀𝑀 3𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

2.5𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹1 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹2
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁1 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁2
8𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
 Example no. 4
A 600-pound load is supported by a 5 meter long, 100-pound cantilever beam. Assume the beam is firmly anchored
to the wall. Draw a free body diagram of the beam.

2.5𝑚𝑚
2.5𝑚𝑚
𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹

𝑀𝑀
𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹

𝑊𝑊 = 100𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝐹𝐹 = 600𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙
� 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0
+ -

� 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0 -
+

� 𝑀𝑀 = 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 + −
Example no. 1
The cable and boom shown in the figure below a. Draw the FBD
support a load of 600kN. Determine the tensile
force T in the cable and compressive force C in the T
boom.

30°

45°

600kN
C
 Horizontal Component Vertical Component
T 𝑇𝑇𝑌𝑌
𝑇𝑇𝑌𝑌
𝑇𝑇𝑋𝑋 si𝑛𝑛 30 =
c𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 30 = 𝑇𝑇
𝑇𝑇𝑋𝑋 30° 𝑇𝑇
𝑇𝑇𝑋𝑋 = 𝑇𝑇 cos 30 𝑇𝑇𝑌𝑌 = 𝑇𝑇 sin 30
45°
𝐶𝐶𝑋𝑋
600kN 𝐶𝐶𝑋𝑋 𝐶𝐶𝑌𝑌
C 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 45 = sin 45 =
𝐶𝐶 𝐶𝐶
𝐶𝐶𝑋𝑋 = 𝐶𝐶 cos 45
𝐶𝐶𝑌𝑌 𝐶𝐶𝑌𝑌 = 𝐶𝐶 sin 45

600
b. Use Equilibrum equation

� 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0
+ -

−𝑇𝑇 cos 30 +𝐶𝐶 cos 45 = 0

𝑇𝑇 cos 30 = +𝐶𝐶 cos 45
𝐶𝐶 cos 45
𝑇𝑇 = 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 1
cos 30

𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜
𝑇𝑇 cos 30
𝐶𝐶 =
cos 45
 � 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0 -
+
+𝑇𝑇 sin 30 +𝐶𝐶 sin 45 −600 = 0

+𝑇𝑇 sin 30 = −𝐶𝐶 sin 45 + 600

−𝐶𝐶 sin 45 + 600
𝑇𝑇 = 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 2
sin 30
 � 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0 -
+
+𝑇𝑇 sin 30 +𝐶𝐶 sin 45 −600 = 0

+𝑇𝑇 sin 30 = −𝐶𝐶 sin 45 + 600

−𝐶𝐶 sin 45 + 600
𝑇𝑇 = 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 2
sin 30
 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 2 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒
𝐶𝐶 cos 45 𝐶𝐶 0.354 + 𝐶𝐶 0.612 = 519.615
𝑇𝑇 = 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 1
cos 30 𝐶𝐶(0.966) = 519.615
−𝐶𝐶 sin 45 + 600 519.615
𝑇𝑇 = 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 2
sin 30 𝐶𝐶 = 𝐶𝐶 = 537.9𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
0.966

𝑇𝑇 = 𝑇𝑇 𝐹𝐹𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 2. 𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 𝐶𝐶 = 537.9

𝐶𝐶 cos 45 −𝐶𝐶 sin 45 + 600 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 1 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 2

= (537.9) cos 45 (−537.9) sin 45 + 600
cos 30 sin 30 𝑇𝑇 =
𝑇𝑇 =
cos 30 sin 30
𝐶𝐶 cos 45 sin 30 = 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 (−𝐶𝐶 sin 45 + 600)
𝑇𝑇 = 439.19𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑇𝑇 = 439.29𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝐶𝐶 0.354 = −𝐶𝐶(0.612) + 519.615
 Example no.2

Find the reaction at A and Tension at C a. Draw the FBD

 Horizontal Component Vertical Component

𝑇𝑇𝑋𝑋 𝑇𝑇𝑌𝑌
𝑇𝑇𝑦𝑦 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 30 = sin 30 =
𝑇𝑇 𝑇𝑇
𝑇𝑇𝑋𝑋 = 𝑇𝑇 cos 30
𝑇𝑇𝑌𝑌 = 𝑇𝑇 sin 30

𝑇𝑇𝑥𝑥 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴

1 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
∗ 3 ∗ 30 = 45kN
2 𝑚𝑚
b. Use Equilibrum equation
𝑇𝑇𝑦𝑦
� 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0
+ -

𝑇𝑇𝑥𝑥 −𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 0 𝐸𝐸𝑞𝑞. 1

� 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0 -
+

𝑇𝑇𝑦𝑦 +𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 −45 = 0 𝐸𝐸𝑞𝑞. 2

 𝑀𝑀@𝐵𝐵 = � 𝑀𝑀 = 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 + −

−𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴(3) + 45 (1) = 0
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 3 = 45
45
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = = 15𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
3
𝑀𝑀@𝐴𝐴 = � 𝑀𝑀 = 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 + −

+𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇(3) − 45 (2) = 0

+𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 3 = (45)(2)
(45)(2)
+𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = = 30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
3
+𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = 30𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇
sin 30 =
𝑇𝑇

30
sin 30 =
𝑇𝑇

30
𝑇𝑇 =
sin 30
𝑇𝑇 = 60𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
A cylinder weighing 40kN is held against a smooth incline by means of the weightless rod AB below.
Determine the force P and N exerted on the cylinder by the rod and the incline respectively.
 a. Draw the FBD

W=400 kN

x
25° N
55°
55°
P 25°
 Horizontal Component Vertical Component
y
𝑃𝑃𝑥𝑥 𝑃𝑃𝑌𝑌
W=400 kN 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 25 = sin 25 =
𝑃𝑃 𝑃𝑃
𝑃𝑃𝑋𝑋 = 𝑃𝑃 cos 25
𝑃𝑃𝑌𝑌 = 𝑃𝑃 sin 25

x 𝑁𝑁𝑦𝑦
𝑁𝑁𝑥𝑥
25° Nx sin 55 = cos 55 =
Py 𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁
55°
Ny 𝑁𝑁𝑥𝑥 = 𝑁𝑁 sin 55 𝑁𝑁𝑦𝑦 = 𝑁𝑁 cos 55
P N
Px
400𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
 � 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0
+ -
+𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 −𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 =0
+𝑃𝑃 cos 25 −𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 55 =0
+𝑃𝑃 cos 25 = 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 55
𝑁𝑁 sin 55
+𝑃𝑃 = 𝐸𝐸𝑞𝑞. 1
cos 25

� 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0 -
+
+𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 +𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 −400 = 0
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 25 +𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 55 −400 = 0
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 25 = 400 − 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 55
400 − 𝑁𝑁 cos 55
𝑃𝑃 = 𝐸𝐸𝑞𝑞. 2
sin 25
 𝑁𝑁 sin 55 400 − 𝑁𝑁 cos 55
+𝑃𝑃 = 𝐸𝐸𝑞𝑞. 1 𝑃𝑃 = 𝐸𝐸𝑞𝑞. 2
cos 25 sin 25

𝑃𝑃 = 𝑃𝑃
𝑁𝑁 sin 55 400 − 𝑁𝑁 cos 55
=
cos 25 sin 25
𝑁𝑁 sin 55 400
sin 25 = 400 − 𝑁𝑁 cos 55 𝑁𝑁 =
cos 25 (𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 25 + cos 55)
𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 25 = 400 − 𝑁𝑁 cos 55
𝑁𝑁 = 418.61𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 25 + 𝑁𝑁 cos 55 = 400

𝑁𝑁 (𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 25 + cos 55) = 400

 𝑁𝑁 = 418.61𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘

𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈 𝐸𝐸𝑞𝑞. 1 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸. 2

𝑁𝑁 sin 55 400 − 𝑁𝑁 cos 55
+𝑃𝑃 = 𝐸𝐸𝑞𝑞. 1 𝑃𝑃 = 𝐸𝐸𝑞𝑞. 2
cos 25 sin 25
(418.61) sin 55 400 − (418.61) cos 55
+𝑃𝑃 = 𝑃𝑃 =
cos 25 sin 25

+𝑃𝑃 = 378.35𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝑃𝑃 = 378.34kN

The cylinders in figure shown
have the indicated weights and
dimensions. Assuming smooth
contact surfaces, determine the
normal forces at A, B, C and D
 2.6
𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜∅ =
3
2.6
∅ = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
3
−1
2.6
∅ = 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
3
∅ = 30°
 � 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0 -
+
200kN +𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 −200 = 0
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 30 −200 = 0
ND 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 30 = 200
200
30° NC = = 400𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
sin 30
NCy
30°
NC NCx
Y-component x-component
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁
Sin 30 = cos 30 =
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁

𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠30 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑥𝑥 = 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐30

 � 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0
+ -
200kN +𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 −𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 =0
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 −𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 0
ND but NC = 400𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
30° 400 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 − 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 0
NCy 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 400 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
30°
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 346.4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
NC NCx
Y-component x-component
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁
Sin 30 = cos 30 =
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁

𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠30 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑥𝑥 = 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐30

 NC=400kN
400kN

30°
NA

NB
 Horizontal Component Vertical Component

𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁
NCy NC=400kN cos 30 = Sin 30 =
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁
400kN
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑥𝑥 = 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐30
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠30
30° NCx
NA
400
30°
𝑁𝑁𝐴𝐴
NB
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁
 � 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0
+ -
−𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 +𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 =0
−𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑠𝑠30 +𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 0

𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑠𝑠30

𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 400𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = (400) 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠

𝑁𝑁𝐴𝐴 = 346.4𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
 � 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 0 -
+
−𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 −400 +𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 0
−𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 30−400 +𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 0
𝑁𝑁𝐵𝐵 = 400 + 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 30
𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 = 400𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘

NB = 400 + (400) 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 30

NB = 600𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘