2 Two-Dimensional Analysis of a Particle

Particle: An idealized object that has mass but can be analyzed by ignoring size and geometry. A typical example of
particle analysis is a point connected only by axial members. A particle analysis is used for finding the force of cables
passing through a point or the force of axial force members connected to a pin connection.

2.1 A Resultant Force (is determined from the addition of concurrent forces)

1. Method of Trigonometry (usually used in problems of resolving a force into two non-orthogonal components)

2. Method of Using Rectangular Components of Forces

Fy
Addition of Two Orthogonal Forces: F = Fx 2 + Fy 2 , tan  =
Fx

Resolution of a Force into two Rectangular Components:

Fx = F cos  , Fy = F sin 
3. Method of Using Rectangular Components of Several Concurrent Forces

(b) Resolve each force into its x and y components, and then
find the sum of the x components and y components, respectively

→ Rx =  Fx ; Rx = Px + Qx − S x
 Ry =  Fy ; Ry = Py − Qy + S y

(c) Draw the sum of the x components and y components

(d) Add the two orthogonal forces

Ry
R = Rx 2 + Ry 2 , tan  =
Rx
[Ex2-1] The force F acting on the frame has a magnitude of 500 N and is resolved into two
components acting along the members AB and AC. Determine the angle  , measured below the
horizontal, so that components FAC is directed from A towards C and has a magnitude of 400 N .

500 400 sin 60

= ; sin  =  400 = 0.6928 ;  = 43.9
sin 60 sin  500

 = 180 − 60 − 43.9 = 76.1

500 FAB
= ; FAB = 561 N
sin 60 sin 76.1
[Ex2-2] Point O is subjected to three concurrent and coplanar forces. Determine the resultant force.

4
→ FR x =  Fx ; FR x = −400 N + 250sin 45 N − 200  N = −383.2 N
5
3
 FR y =  Fy ; FR y = 250 cos 45 N + 200  N = 296.8 N
5

FR = (383.2)2 + (296.8)2 = 485 N

 296.8 
 = tan −1   = 37.8
 383.2 
2.2 Equilibrium of a Particle
Structural analysis is the process of finding the unknown forces occurring in each member of the structure. They can
be obtained by using the equilibrium of forces. If the sum of all forces acting on a particle is zero, the particle remains
at rest (Newton's first law). This state is called equilibrium. The equilibrium can be expressed mathematically as follows.

F = 0  ( F )i + ( F ) j = 0
x y : Vector equilibrium equation

When a structure is in equilibrium, F x = 0, F

y = 0 must be satisfied at the same time.

F x = 0, F y = 0 is called the scalar equilibrium equation, and it can be used instead of the vector equilibrium equation
to express the equilibrium. Equilibrium equations are both necessary and sufficient conditions for equilibrium.

To perform structural analysis, a free-body diagram must first be drawn up. The free-body diagram (FBD) is a figure
that represents the particle separated from the structure and all the forces acting on the particle. All free-body diagrams
must maintain equilibrium, and two equilibrium equations can be used for each FBD in two-dimensional particle analysis.
This means that two unknowns can be determined from a FBD. Since equilibrium refers to the equilibrium of forces,
both free-body diagrams and equilibrium equations must be expressed in units of force.

2.2.1 Drawing of a FBD for Particle Analysis

1. Separate the particle suitable for analysis from the structure.
2. Indicate the Cartesian coordinate system and the sign convention.
3. Draw the loads acting on the particle and unknown forces acting on the cut and contact surface of the particle.
(In particle analysis, the unknown force usually acts in the longitudinal direction of the member. The unknown force is
usually assumed to be in tension. In the FBD the sense of a tension force is drawn using an arrow that is directed
towards outside the particle.)
2.2.2 Type of Unknown Forces in the FBD
1. Spring: The force required to deform the spring is called elastic force, and this force is proportional to the deformation
length. The elastic force can be represented by the equation F = k  s using spring constant. The elastic force acts in
the longitudinal direction of the spring. The unknown elastic force is usually assumed to be in tension although it can
be either in tension or compression.

2. Cable and Pulley: The cable is always in tension.

The tension force acts in the longitudinal direction of the cable.
The weight of cables and pulleys is ignored in the analysis.
The tension acting on a cable installed on a frictionless pulley always has a constant magnitude
even when the direction of the cable is changed by the pulley.

3. Forces on the Cut Surface: According to the law of action and reaction, there are always forces equal in magnitude
and opposite in direction at the cut surface.

4. Forces on the Contact Surface: Forces on the Contact Surface:

When two objects come into contact, a force is generated at the point of contact,
and this force can be resolved into a force perpendicular to the contact surface
(normal force, N) and a force horizontal to the contact surface (friction force, f).
These forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, according to
the law of action and reaction, acting on both free-body diagrams.
The normal force is always in compression.
In the statics class, friction force is ignored.
2.2.3 Structural Analysis of a Particle
1. Draw a free-body diagram. (If possible, draw a free-body diagram with two or fewer unknowns.)
2. Resolve each force into its two rectangular components.
3. Determine the unknown forces by using the equilibrium equation. (If the result of the unknown force is negative, it
means that the direction of the force acts in the opposite direction to the assumed direction.)

[Ex2-3] The sphere has a weight of 58.9 N . Draw a free-body diagram of the sphere, the cord CE, and the knot at C.
[Ex2-4] If the sack at A has a weight of 20 N , determine the weight of the sack at B and the force in each cord needed
to hold the system in the equilibrium position shown.

→  Fx = 0; TEG sin 30 − TEC cos 45 = 0

  Fy = 0; TEG cos 30 − TEC sin 45 − 20 = 0

 TEC = 38.6 N , TEG = 54.6 N

4
→  Fx = 0; 38.6  cos 45 −   TCD = 0
5
3
  Fy = 0;   TCD + 38.6  sin 45 − WB = 0
5

 TCD = 34.1 N , WB = 47.8 N

[Ex2-5] Determine the required length of the cord AC so that the 78.5 N lamp is suspended. The undeformed length
 = 0.4 m and the spring has a stiffness of k AB = 30000 N / m .
of the spring is l AB

→  Fx = 0; TAB − TAC cos 30 = 0

 TAC = 157.0 N , TAB = 136.0 N
  Fy = 0; TAC sin 30 − 78.5 = 0

Since TAB = k AB  s AB
136.0 = 30000  s AB  s AB = 0.0045 m

 + s AB
The total length of the spring is l AB = l AB  l AB = 0.4 + 0.0045 = 0.4045 m

2 = lAC cos30 + 0.4045  lAC = 1.842 m

[Ex2-6] As shown in the following figure, a 1440 kg car is held in place on the inclined surface by the horizontal cable
from A to B. Determine the tension of the cable. The car’s brakes are not engaged, so the tires exert only normal forces
on the inclined surface. The car is idealized as a particle.

→  Fx = 0; T − N sin 20 = 0
  Fy = 0; N cos 20 − mg = 0

mg 1440 kg  9.81 m / s 2
 N= = = 15000 N , T = 5140 N
cos 20 cos 20
[Ex2-7] Determine the maximum weight of the engine that can be supported without exceeding a tension of 4.5 kN in
chain AB and 4.8 kN in chain AC.

Assume that FAB = 4.5 kN

→  Fx = 0; FAC cos 30 − 4.5 = 0

 FAC = 5.196 kN , W = 2.598 kN
  Fy = 0; FAC sin 30 − W = 0

This assumption is wrong because FAC = 5.196 kN exceeds the maximum tension capacity of chain AC of 4.8 kN .

Assume that FAC = 4.8 kN

→  Fx = 0; 4.8  cos 30 − FAB = 0

 FAB = 4.157 kN , W = 2.4 kN
  Fy = 0; 4.8  sin 30 − W = 0

This assumption holds because FAB = 4.157 kN is smaller than the maximum tension capacity of chain AB of 4.5 kN . The
maximum weight that this system can support is W = 2.4 kN .
[Ex2-8] The cord BCA and CD can each support a maximum load 500 N . Determine the maximum weight of the crate
and the angle  when the system is in equilibrium.

Assume that T = 500 N

5
→  Fx = 0; 500  cos  − W  =0
13   = 78.69 , W = 255.0 N
12
  Fy = 0; 500  sin  − W  − W = 0
13

This assumption holds because 255.0 N  500.0 N . The maximum weight that this system can support is W = 255.0 N