MODULE 3.

EQUILIBRIUM OF COPLANAR AND CONCURRENT FORCES

TOPICS: Equilibrium of coplanar and concurrent forces

Learning Objectives

The module intend to aid students understand the concepts of equilibrium of coplanar
and concurrent forces and apply them in solving physics problems

Introduction
Engineering design calculations relies heavily on the use of the principles of mechanics.
The concept of equilibrium of forces has many applications in engineering professions. It
is used in structural analysis such as in load of trusses and bridges and others.
Equilibrium is the condition of a system when its state of motion nor its internal
energy state do not change with time. A simple mechanical body is said to be
in equilibrium if it does not experiences neither linear acceleration nor angular
acceleration. Unless an outside force is applied, it will continue in that condition
indefinitely (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2016).
A basic concept useful in dealing with forces is the idea of equilibrium or balance. In
general, an object can be acted on by several forces at the same time. Equilibrium arises
if the vector sum of all forces acting upon an object or body is zero. A rigid body (by
definition distinguished from a particle in having the property of extension) is considered
to be in equilibrium if, in addition, the vector sum of all torques acting on the body equals
zero so that its state of rotational motion remains constant. An equilibrium is said to
be stable if small, externally induced displacements from that state produce forces that
tend to oppose the displacement and return the body or particle to the equilibrium state.
Examples include a weight suspended by a spring or a brick lying on a level surface
(Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2016).

Force system

A force system are several force acting on an object or a rigid body. A force system can
be categorized as shown in the figure below.
 Force System

Coplanar Non-coplanar

Collinear Concurrent Parallel Coplanar

Parallel Non-concurrent Non-concurrent

Figure a. Force system

Collinear Force System

When the line of action of the forces in a system acts along the same line, it is called
collinear force system.

F1 F2

Figure s. Collinear force system

Non-coplanar force system

When the line of action of all the forces do not lie in one plane, it is called Non-coplanar
force system

F1 F2 F3

X
Figure x. Non-coplanar force system

Coplanar non-concurrent force system

When forces do not meet at a common point but they lie in a single plane, it called
coplanar non-concurrent force system
 F1 F2 F3

R1 R2

Figure d. Coplanar non-concurrent force system

Coplanar concurrent force system

A force system in which the forces lie in a single plane and meet at one point is called
coplanar concurrent force system

Figure z. Coplanar concurrent system

Equilibrium of coplanar and concurrent forces

Forces acting in the same plane are called coplanar forces whereas forces acting at the
same time and at the same point, are called concurrent forces. A concurrent force system
consists of several force that intersects at a point called the concurrence
The resultant of any number of concurrent forces can determined by resolving
each force into its rectangular components and then getting the sum of the components
(x and y) algebraically. The resultant can be determined using Pythagorean Theorem of
using trigonometric method.

Figure ss. Example of concurrent and coplanar forces

Coplanar force systems have forces acting in one plane. These forces do not intersect
but may meet at a point. They may be concurrent, parallel, non-concurrent or non-parallel.
All of these systems can be resolved by using graphic statics or algebra.

Sample Problems on Concurrent force system

1. An elastic string ABC is stretched by 3 forces as shown below. Determine the
tension in AB and CB

Figure k. Concurrent forces

Solution

 Fx = 0
- AB * Cos 20 + 100 N Cos 60 + BC * Cos 45 + 120 N * Cos 40 – 200 N * Cos 60 = 0

- AB * Cos 20 + 50 N + BC * Cos 45 + 91.93 N – 100 N = 0

BC * Cos 45 + 41.93 N
AB = ----------------------------- (Eqn 1)
Cos 20

 Fy = 0
AB * Sin 20 – 100 N * Sin 60 + BC * Sin 45 – 120 N * Sin 40 – 200 N * Sin 60 = 0
AB * Sin 20 – 86.60 N + BC * Sin 45 – 77.13 N – 173.21 N = 0
- BC * Sin 45 + 336.94 N
AB = ------------------------------------------ (Eqn 2)
Sin 20
Equate Eqn 1 and 2

BC * Cos 45 + 41.93 N - BC * Sin 45 + 336.94 N

-------------------------------- = -----------------------------------
Cos 20 Sin 20

- 2.06 * BC + 985.15 N = 0.75 * BC + 44.62 N

BC = 334.71 N

2. For the forces shown below, find F and Ø

F 100 N
800 N
Ø
30o

2000 N
Solution

 Fx = 0
F * Sin Ø + 800 N * Cos 30 = 0
- 692.82 N
F = ------------- (Eqn 1)
Sin Ø

 Fy = 0
- F * Cos Ø + 100 N – 2000 N + 800 Sin 30 = 0
- F * Cos Ø + 100 N – 2000 N + 800 Sin 30 = 0
- 1500 N
F = ------------- (Eqn 2)
Cos Ø
 Equate equation 1 and 2
- 692.82 N - 1500 N
------------- = ---------------
Sin Ø Cos Ø

Sin Ø - 692.82 N
--------- = ----------------- = Tan Ø = 0.46
Cos Ø - 1500 N

Ø = 24.79o

-1500 -692.82
F= --------------- = -1652.25 N ; F = ----------------- = -1652.35 N
Cos 24.79 Sin 24.79

Sample problems on coplanar force system

1. Given the figure below determine the weight of sack B and the tension in the rope if
the weight of Sack A is 20 N

Figure f. Coplanar forces

Solution
First, draw the free body diagram of forces at point E
T2

E 60o

T1 45o
20 N

 Fx = 0
- T1 * Sin 45 + T2 * Cos 60 = 0

T1 * Sin 45
T2 = -------------------- = 1.414 * T1 (Eqn 1)
Cos 60

 Fy = 0
- T1 cos 45 – 20 N + T2 * Sin 60 = 0
T2 * Sin 60 - 20 N
T1 = -------------------------- ( Eqn 2)
Cos 45

Substitute the value of T 2 (eqn 1) in eqn 2

(1.414 * T1) * Sin 60 – 20 N
T1 = -------------------------------------
Cos 45

0.71 * T1 = 1.225 T1 – 20 N

T1 = 38.83 N
T2 = 54.91 N
Draw the free body diagram at point C
T3 T1
5
3 45o
4

WB
 Fx = 0
- T3 * (4/5) + T1 * Cos 45 = 0
38.83 Cos 45
T3 = -------------------- = 34.32 N
0.8

 Fy = 0
T3 * (3/5) + T1 * Sin 45 – W B = 0
W B = 34.32 * (0.6) + 38.83 * (0.7071) = 48.05 N

Activities
1. Read and study the problems on the link provided and try to answer the homework
(H.W3) https://uomustansiriyah.edu.iq/media/lectures/5/5_2019_02_15!08_30_01_PM.pdf

2. Watch also the video on the link provided and discern the steps in solving problems
under equilibrium of concurrent and coplanar forces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ls-Dsu4ddY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lOEeGZ1Ipg

Self-assessment questions
1. Consider the steel post as shown below, supporting a load of 5000 N. Calculate the
force of the cable

45o 25o

5000 N
N

2. Determine the equilibrant force for the three force shown below
3. Determine the mass and the forces in members AB and BC in the figure below if the
tension in the rope is 20 N

4. Determine the tension in the ropes tied in the rigid supports as shown below

Answers to self-assessment questions

1. 3762.44 N and 4822.36 N (Force can be determined using Sine law)
2. 207 N
3. m = 2.04 kg; AB = 54.63 N; BC = 66.91 N (AB and BC can be solved using Sine law)
4. 50 N and 43.30 N

References
Beiser, A. 1992. Modern Technical Physics. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company Inc.
Menlo Park, California.