Engineering Mechanics

Week 3

Couple-Equilibrium
SIMPLIFICATION OF FORCE AND COUPLE SYSTEMS
& THEIR FURTHER SIMPLIFICATION
APPLICATIONS

What are the resultant effects on the person’s hand

when the force is applied in these four different ways?
Why is understanding these differences important
when designing various load-bearing structures?
 RESOLUTION OF A FORCE INTO A
FORCE-COUPLE SYSTEM

Replace the force F acting at the point A to the point B

F

B A

Apply two equal and opposite forces of same magnitude &

direction as Force F at point B, so that external effect is
unchanged
F F

B A

d
F
 F F F

B A B
= A
d M=Fxd
F
Of these three forces, two forces i.e., one at A and the other
oppositely directed at B form a couple.
Moment of this couple, M = F × d.
Third force at B is acting in the same direction as that at A.

Thus, the force F acting at a point such as A in a rigid body can be

moved to any other given point B, by adding a couple M. The
moment of the couple is equal to moment of the force in its
original position about B.
APPLICATIONS (continued)

Several forces and a couple moment

are acting on this vertical section of
an I-beam.

| | ??
For the process of designing the I-
beam, it would be very helpful if
you could replace the various
forces and moment just one force
and one couple moment at point O
with the same external effect?
How will you do that?
SIMPLIFICATION OF A FORCE AND COUPLE SYSTEM

When several forces and couple moments

act on a body, you can move each force
and its associated couple moment to a
common point O.
Now you can add all the forces and
couple moments together and find one
resultant force-couple moment pair.
SIMPLIFICATION OF A FORCE AND COUPLE SYSTEM (continued)

WR = W1 + W2
(MR)o = W1 d1 + W2 d2

If the force system lies in the x-y plane (a 2-D case), then the
reduced equivalent system can be obtained using the following
three scalar equations.
FURTHER SIMPLIFICATION OF A FORCE AND COUPLE SYSTEM

= =

If FR and MRO are perpendicular to each other, then the system

can be further reduced to a single force, FR , by simply moving
FR from O to P.

In three special cases, concurrent, coplanar, and parallel systems

of forces, the system can always be reduced to a single force.
EXAMPLE I

Given: A 2-D force system

with geometry as
shown.
Find: The equivalent resultant
force and couple
moment acting at A and
then the equivalent
single force location
measured from A.
Plan:
1) Sum all the x and y components of the forces to find FRA.
2) Find and sum all the moments resulting from moving each
force component to A.
3) Shift FRA to a distance d such that d = MRA/FRy
EXAMPLE I (continued)

+→ FRx= 50(sin 30) + 100(3/5) FR

= 85 kN
+  FRy= 200 + 50(cos 30) – 100(4/5)
= 163.3 kN
+ MRA = 200 (3) + 50 (cos 30) (9)
– 100 (4/5) 6 = 509.7 kN·m
FR = ( 852 + 163.32 )1/2 = 184 kN
 = tan-1 ( 163.3/85) = 62.5°

The equivalent single force FR can be located at a distance d

measured from A.
d = MRA/FRy = 509.7 / 163.3 = 3.12 m
EXAMPLE II

Given: The slab is subjected to

three parallel forces.
Find: The equivalent resultant
force and couple
moment at the origin O.
Also find the location
(x, y) of the single
equivalent resultant
Plan: force.
1) Find FRO = Fi = FRzo k
2) Find MRO =  (ri  Fi) = MRxO i + MRyO j
3) The location of the single equivalent resultant force is given
as x = – MRyO / FRzO and y = MRxO / FRzO
EXAMPLE II (continued)

FRO = {100 k – 500 k – 400 k} = – 800 k N

MRO = (3 i)  (100 k) + (4 i + 4 j)  (-500 k)
+ (4 j)  (-400 k)
= {–300 j + 2000 j – 2000 i – 1600 i}
= { – 3600 i + 1700 j }N·m

The location of the single equivalent resultant force is given as,

x = – MRyo / FRzo = (–1700) / (–800) = 2.13 m
y = MRxo / FRzo = (–3600) / (–800) = 4.5 m
 CONCEPT QUIZ

z
1. The forces on the pole can be reduced
•S
to a single force and a single moment at
point ____ . •R
A) P B) Q C) R Q
•
P y
D) S E) Any of these points. •
x

2. Consider two couples acting on a body. The simplest possible

equivalent system at any arbitrary point on the body will have
A) One force and one couple moment.
B) One force.
C) One couple moment.
D) Two couple moments.
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING I

Given: A 2-D force and couple

system as shown.
Find: The equivalent resultant
force and couple
moment acting at A.
Plan:

1) Sum all the x and y components of the two forces to find FRA.
2) Find and sum all the moments resulting from moving each
force to A and add them to the 1500 Nm free moment to find
the resultant MRA .
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING I (continued)

Summing the force components:

+→ Fx = 450 (cos 60) – 700 (sin 30)
= – 125 N
+  Fy = – 450 (sin 60) – 300 – 700 (cos 30)
= – 1296 N
Now find the magnitude and direction of the resultant.
FRA = (1252 + 12962)1/2 = 1302 N and  = tan-1 (1296 /125)
= 84.5°

+ MRA = 450 (sin 60) (2) + 300 (6) + 700 (cos 30) (9) + 1500
= 9535 Nm
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING II

Given: Forces and couple

moments are applied to the
pipe.
Find: An equivalent resultant
force and couple moment at
point O.
Plan:
a) Find FRO =  Fi = F1 + F2+ F3
b) Find MRO =  MC +  ( ri  Fi )
where,
MC are any free couple moments.
ri are the position vectors from the point O to any point on the
line of action of Fi .
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING II (continued)

MC1
F1 = {300 k} N
F1
F2 = 200{cos45 i – sin 45 k} N
F3 = {141.4 i – 141.4 k} N
F3 = {100 j} N
F2
r1 = {0.5 i } m, r2 = {1.1 i } m,
MC2 r3 = {1.9 i } m

Free couple moments are:

MC1 = {100 k} Nm
MC2 = 180{cos45 i – sin 45k}Nm
= {127.3 i – 127.3k}Nm
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING II (continued)

Resultant force and couple moment at point O:

FRO =  Fi = F1 + F2+ F3 MC1
= {300 k}+{141.4 i – 141.4 k} F1
+ {100 j}
FRO = {141 i + 100 j + 159 k} N F3

F2

MRO =  MC +  ( ri  Fi ) MC2
MRO = {100 k} + {127.3 i – 127.3k}

i j k i j k i j k
+ 0 0.5 0 + 0 1.1 0 + 0 1.9 0
0 0 300 141.4 0 -141.4 0 100 0
MRO = {122 i – 183 k} Nm
 ATTENTION QUIZ

1. For this force system, the equivalent system at P is

___________ .
A) FRP = 40 kN (along +x-dir.) and MRP = +60 kN · m
B) FRP = 0 kN and MRP = +30 kN · m
C) FRP = 30 kN (along +y-dir.) and MRP = -30 kN · m
D) FRP = 40 kN (along +x-dir.) and MRP = +30 kN · m

y 30 kN
1m 1m x
• 40 kN
P 30 kN
ATTENTION QUIZ

2. Consider three couples acting on a body. Equivalent

systems will be _______ at different points on the body.
A) Different when located
B) The same even when located
C) Zero when located
D) None of the above.
REDUCTION OF A SIMPLE DISTRIBUTED LOADING

=
 READING QUIZ

y Distributed load curve

1. The resultant force (FR) due to a w
distributed load is equivalent to
the _____ under the distributed
loading curve, w = w(x). x
A) Centroid B) Arc length FR
C) Area D) Volume

2. The line of action of the distributed load’s equivalent force

passes through the ______ of the distributed load.
A) Centroid B) Mid-point
C) Left edge D) Right edge
APPLICATIONS

There is a bundle (called a bunk) of 50 mm x 100

mm boards stored on a storage rack. This lumber
places a distributed load (due to the weight of the
wood) on the beams holding the bunk.
To analyze the load’s effect on the steel beams, it is
often helpful to reduce this distributed load to a single
force. How would you do this?
APPLICATIONS (continued)

The uniform wind pressure

is acting on a triangular
sign (shown in light
brown).

To be able to design the joint

between the sign and the sign
post, we need to determine a
single equivalent resultant force
and its location.
 TYPES OF LOADS ON BEAMS

W kN
1. Concentrated Loads – This is the load
acting for very small length of the beam.
(also known as point load, Total load W is
acting at one point )
w kN/m
2. Uniformly distributed load – This is
the load acting for a considerable
length of the beam with same intensity
L
of w kN/m throughout its spread.

W = (w x L) kN
Total intensity, W = w × L
L/2
(acts at L/2 from one end of the spread)

L
 3. Uniformly varying load – This load acts
for a considerable length of the beam with
intensity varying linearly from ‘0’ at one end
to w kN/m to the other representing a w kN/m

triangular distribution. L
Total intensity of load = area of triangular
spread of the load
W=½×L×w
W = 1/2× w × L.
(acts at 2×L/3 from ‘Zero’ load end) 2/3 ×L 1/3 ×L

L
 EXAMPLE I

Until you learn more about centroids, we will consider only

rectangular and triangular loading diagrams whose centroids are
well defined.
 EXAMPLE I (continued)

Now let’s complete the calculations to find the concentrated loads

(which is a common name for the resultant of the distributed load).

The rectangular load: FR = 10  5 = 50 kN and = 2.5 m.

The triangular loading:
FR = (0.5) (600) (6) = 1,800 N and = 6 – (1/3) 6 = 4 m.
Please note that the centroid of a right triangle is at a distance
one third the width of the triangle as measured from its base.
 CONCEPT QUIZ

1. What is the location of FR, i.e., the

FR distance d?
A BA A) 2 m B) 3 m C) 4 m
B
3m 3m d D) 5 m E) 6 m

2. If F1 = 1 N, x1 = 1 m, F2 = 2 N
and x2 = 2 m, what is the location
x2 F1 x FR of FR, i.e., the distance x.
F2
A) 1 m B) 1.33 m C) 1.5 m

x1 D) 1.67 m E) 2 m
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING

Given: The distributed

loading on the
beam
as shown.
Find: The equivalent
force and couple moment
acting at point O.
1) The distributed loading can be divided
Plan: into two parts--two
triangular loads.
2) Find FR and its location for each of these distributed loads.
3) Determine the overall FR of the point loadings and couple
moment at point O.
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

FR1
9m
FR2
5m
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

FR1
9m
FR2
5m

For the combined loading of the three forces, add them.

FR = 22.5 + 13.5 + 15 = 51 kN

The couple moment at point O will be

+ MRO= 500 + 5 (22.5) +9 (13.5) + 12 (15) = 914 kNm
ATTENTION QUIZ

100 N/m FR

12 m x

1. FR = ____________ 2. x = __________.

A) 12 N B) 100 N A) 3 m B) 4 m

C) 600 N D) 1200 N C) 6 m D) 8 m
Equilibrium
 Static and Dynamic Equilibrium

◼ Equilibrium implies the object is at rest (static) or its

center of mass moves with a constant velocity
(dynamic)

◼ Examples: Book on table, Ladder leaning against

wall, etc
 Static Equilibrium

◼ Net external force must

equal zero

◼ Net external torque must

equal zero
 Conditions for Equilibrium

◼ The first condition of

equilibrium is a statement of
translational equilibrium

◼ The net external force on the

object must equal zero

F =0

◼ It states that the translational

acceleration of the object’s
center of mass must be zero
 Conditions for Equilibrium

◼ The second condition of

equilibrium is a statement of
rotational equilibrium

◼ The net external torque on the

object must equal zero
 Mo = 0

◼ It states the angular acceleration

of the object to be zero

◼ This must be true for any axis of

rotation
 EQUILIBRIUM OF - CONCURRENT COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEMS

Definition:-
If a system of forces acting on a body, keeps the body in a
state of rest or in a state of uniform motion along a straight
line, then the system of forces is said to be in equilibrium.
ALTERNATIVELY, if the resultant of the force system is zero,
then, the force system is said to be in equilibrium.
 Conditions for Equilibrium :

A coplanar concurrent force system will be in equilibrium if it

satisfies the following two conditions:

i)  Fx = 0; and ii)  Fy = 0

i.e. Algebraic sum of components of all the forces of the system,

along two mutually perpendicular directions, is ZERO.
 Graphical conditions for Equilibrium

Triangle Law: If three forces are in equilibrium, then, they form a

closed triangle when represented in a Tip to Tail arrangement, as
shown in Fig 2.1
F2
F1
Fig 2.1
F3
F1
Polygonal Law: If more than three forces are in equilibrium,
then, they form a closed polygon when represented in a Tip to
Tail arrangement, as shown in Fig. 2.2.
F3 F2

F1
F4 F1
Fig 2.2
F5
 LAMI’S THEOREM

If a system of three forces is in equilibrium, then, each force of the

system is proportional to sine of the angle between the other two
forces (and constant of proportionality is the same for all the
forces). Thus, with reference to Fig.2.3, we have,

F3 α F2
F1
=
F2
=
F3  
Sin  Sin  Sin 
F1
Fig. 2.3

Note: While using Lami’s theorem, all the three forces

should be either directed away or all directed towards the
point of concurrence.
 EQUILIBRIUM OF NON-CONCURRENT COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEM

When a body is in equilibrium, it has neither translatory nor

rotatory motion in any direction.

Thus the resultant force R and the resultant couple M are both
zero, and we have the equilibrium equations for two
dimensional force system

 Fx = 0;  Fy = 0 M = 0

These requirements are both necessary and sufficient

conditions for equilibrium.
Degrees of Freedom (DOF)
DOF – 2D Plane
 Equilibrium Equations

 F = 0 :  Fx = 0  Fy = 0  Fz = 0

 M o = 0 :  M o, x = 0  M o, y = 0  M o, z = 0
 SPACE DIAGRAMS & FREE BODY DIAGRAMS

Space Diagram (SPD) : The sketch showing the physical

conditions of the problem, like, the nature of supports
provided; size, shape and location of various bodies; forces
applied on the bodies, etc., is known as space diagram.

eg, Fig 2.4 is a space diagram

Weight of sphere = 0.5 kN,
Radius = 1m
Cable
3m θ
P = 2kN
30

Sphere
wal
l Fig. 2.4 SPD
Free Body Diagram (FBD) :

It is an isolated diagram of the body being analyzed (called

free body), in which, the body is shown freed from all its
supports and contacting bodies/surfaces. Instead of the
supports and contacting bodies/surfaces, the reactive
forces exerted by them on the free body is shown, along
with all other applied forces.
Example

• A person standing on Earth

• The man’s free-body

diagram will be with him on
his own, without the Earth

• The FBD is only about what

is happening to him
 FBD of the Man

Weight of the Man

Normal Reactions
FBD of the Earth?

?
Try another
FBD?
 Steps of Drawing a FBD
1. Clearly identify the body (or system of bodies) to be isolated (the FREE
body).
2. Draw a diagram of this “free body” completely isolated from the rest of
the bodies.
3. Traverse the boundary of this “free body” and indicate ALL forces acting
ON the free body (contact forces with other bodies forces)
Known forces: Show vector arrows with proper magnitude (UNITS!!),
direction and sense.
Unknown magnitude but known direction of force: Show vector arrows
with magnitude assumed as positive (if calculations show that the
magnitude is negative, the minus sign indicates that the sense is opposite to
the one assumed)
Unknown magnitude and direction of force: Show x- and y- components of
the vector with unknown magnitudes.
4. Show coordinate directions on the diagram
THANK YOU