Department of Civil Engineering, UET Peshawar

CE-117: Engineering Mechanics, Spring 2025

MODULE 5

Resultant of Coplanar Force Systems:

(i) Parallel and
(ii) Non-Parallel, Non-Concurrent

Course Instructor: Prof. Muhammad Javed ([email protected])

 Lecture Objectives

➢How to calculate Resultant and position of the line of action of Parallel

force system with
i. Point loads and ;
ii. Distributed loads using Classical Integration

➢How to calculate Resultant, direction and position of the line of action

of Non Parallel, Non Concurrent force system
 Resultant of parallel force system

➢Parallel forces can be in the same or in opposite directions.

➢The sign of the direction can be chosen arbitrarily, meaning , taking one direction

as positive makes the opposite direction negative.

➢The complete definition of the Resultant is according to its magnitude, direction,

and line of action.

 Resultant of parallel force system
Figure (a) shows a coplanar force system, where the forces F1, F2, F3, . . . are parallel to
the y-axis. The equivalent force-couple system at point O is shown in Fig. (b),

R = = ∑F =F1 + F2 - F3
C R = ∑ MO =-F1x1 - F2x2 + F3x3
CR= Moment due to resultant force
4
 Resultant of parallel force system
If ∑ F ≠ 0, the resultant is a force R located at the distance x from O, as indicated
in Fig. (c). The value of x is obtained by equating the moments about O in Figs.
(b) and (c):
C R = ∑ MO or -Rx=-F1x1 - F2x2 + F3x3

5
 Problem 5.1
The distributed force exerted on part of a building foundation by the soil is represented
by five forces. If you represent them by a force F, what is F, and where does its line of
action intersect the x axis?

Solution

Part a

Resultant Force, 𝑅 = ෍ 𝐹 ⁻↓ ⁺↑

𝑅 = 80 + 35 + 30 + 40 + 85 = 270 kN

6
 Applying principle of moment about moment
center A
C D F
B
A
𝑀𝑅 𝐴 = ෍ 𝑀𝐴 +⟳−⟲

= − 270 × 𝑥𝐴 = 80 × 0 − 35 × 3 − 30 × 6 − 40 × 9 − 85 × 12
= − 1665
⇒ 𝑥𝐴 = 6.1667 m

Part b
Location of line of action of resultant wrt any reference
does not changes by changing moment center. This A xA B
can be verified by applying principle of moment at any
arbitrary moment center say ‘b’ 270 k N
By principle of moment about moment center ‘D’

𝑀𝑅 𝐷 = ෍ 𝑀𝐷
C D F
⇒ 270 × 𝑥𝐷 = 80 × 6 + 35 × 3 − 40 × 3 − 85 × 6 B
A
OR 𝑥𝐷 = −0.1667m

What does negative sign indicate? xA xD

R=270 k N
𝑥𝐴 = ?
R is deliberately shown
From figure 𝑥𝐴 + 𝑥𝐷 = 6 towards left of point D
⇒ 𝑥𝐴 − 0.1667 = 6
⇒ 𝑥𝐴 − 6.1667

Answer remains unchanged as expected

 Problem 5.2
Determine and locate the resultant R of the two forces and one two couple acting
on the beam.
Solution
𝑅 = ෍ 𝐹 +↑−↓ or

𝑅 = −200 − 300 = −500 N = 500 N ↓

By applying Varignon’s theorem (Principle of 500 N

Moment) at moment center A, we obtain:
xA
𝑀𝑅 𝐴 = ෍ 𝑀𝐴 +⟳−⟲

or 500 ∗ 𝑥𝐴 = −500 + 200 ∗ 0 − 200 + 300 ∗ 3

𝑥𝐴 = 0.4 m
9
 Exercise 5.1
5.1.1
The system of parallel forces acts on the top of the
Warren truss. 5.1a
Determine the equivalent resultant
force of the system and specify its location measured
from point A.
Ans: R =4.5 kN downward at distance of 2.22m from A

5.1.2 Locate the amount and position of the

resultant of the loads acting on the Fink
truss
Ans: R =15130 N downward , 3.62m from A

10
 Exercise 5.1
5.1.3 Find the value of P and F so that the four
forces shown in Figure produce an upward
resultant of 300 lb acting at 4 ft from the left end of
the bar. Ans: F=200 lb , P= 400 lb

5.1.4 At a particular instant, aerodynamic forces

distributed over the airplane s surface exert the 88-kN
and 16-kN vertical forces and the 22 kN-m
counterclockwise couple shown. If you represent the
two forces and couple acting on the airplane by a force
F, what is F, and where does its line of action intersect
the x axis?
Ans: F =104 kN, x = 5.83 m 11
5.1.5 The overhead electric hoist C rides along a track on
the horizontal beam AB. In addition to the 500-kN vertical
force carried by the hoist, the beam also supports the
three vertical forces shown.
(a) If x = 5 m, determine the resultant of the four forces
carried by the beam.
(b) Determine the distance x for which the resultant of the
four forces would act at the center of the span AB.
Ans: R =1120 kN, x = 9.84 m
 Distributed Force System

➢Concentrated” forces do not exist in the exact sense, since every external force
applied mechanically to a body is distributed over a finite contact area, however
small.

➢If the dimension b of the contact area of tire is

negligible as compared with the other dimensions
required to demine unknown (mostly) reactive forces
then it is considered as point Force, otherwise
Distributed Force

Idealization of distributed
reactive force as point force
 Types of Distributed Force System
Sometimes, ignoring the dimensions of the contact area of an applied force can lead to
results that deviate significantly from reality. In such cases, we must consider the
contact area; hence, this type of force is called a Distributed Force.
➢Resultant of distributed force is determined by summing the effects of the distributed
force over the entire region using mathematical integration. There are three
categories of such problems.

(1) Line Distribution. When a force is distributed

along a line, as in the continuous vertical load
supported by a suspended cable, Fig. a, the intensity w
of the loading is expressed as force per unit length of
line, newtons per meter (N/m) or pounds per foot
(lb/ft).
 Types of Distributed Force System
➢ (2) Area Distribution. Force is distributed over an Area

area. For example, hydraulic pressure acting on the inner

face of a dam section (Fig. b).

➢ The intensity of water forces is called pressure when

referring to fluid forces and stress when describing the
internal force distribution within the dam’s body.

➢ This intensity is expressed as force per unit area. N/m2,

lb/ft2, k/in2 etc
 Types of Distributed Force System

(3) Volume Distribution.

➢ A force distributed over a body’s volume
is called a body force.

➢ The most common body force is

gravitational attraction, acting on all
mass elements.
➢ For structures like cantilevered beams
(Fig. c), force calculations must consider
gravity’s distribution.
 Resultant of a Distributed Force System
• Most common case of distributed pressure loading is uniform loading along one
axis of a flat rectangular body

Load is uniformly distributed along

z-axis but varies along x-axis

Entire loading on the plate is a system of parallel forces, infinite in number,

each acting on a separate differential area of the plate
 Resultant of a Distributed Force System

➢Loading function p = p(x) [in N/m2 or lb/ft2] is a function of x since pressure is

uniform along the z axis

➢Multiply the loading function by the width

w = p(x) [N/m2]*b [m] = w(x) N/m

➢ Measured as force per unit length rather than

➢per unit area z

 Resultant of a Distributed Force System

➢Load-intensity diagram for w = w(x)

can be represented by a system of
coplanar parallel forces

➢This system of forces can be simplified

into a single resultant force FR and its
location can be specified.
 Resultant of a Distributed Force System
Magnitude of Resultant Force
FR = ∑F
Integration is used for infinite number of parallel
forces dF acting along the plate
Area under the curve defined by eqn. w=w(x)
For entire plate length,

+↓ 𝐹𝑅 = Σ𝐹; 𝐹𝑅 = න 𝑤(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = න 𝑑𝐴 = 𝐴
𝐿 𝐴

Magnitude of resultant force is equal to the total

area A under the loading diagram w = w(x)
 Resultant of a Distributed Force System

Location of Resultant Force

➢Location of the line of action of FR can be

determined by applying varignon’s theorem
(equating the moments of the force resultant and
the force distribution about a moment center O)

MRo = ∑MO or 𝐹𝑅 𝑥lj = ‫𝑥 𝑥𝑑)𝑥(𝑤 𝐿׬‬

dF produces a moment of xdF = x w(x) dx about O

For the entire plate,
 Resultant of a Distributed Force System

Location of Resultant Force

• Solving,
‫𝐴𝑑𝑥 𝐴׬ 𝑥𝑑)𝑥(𝑤𝑥 𝐿׬‬
𝑥lj = =
‫𝑥𝑑)𝑥(𝑤 𝐿׬‬ ‫𝐴𝑑 𝐴׬‬

• Resultant force has a line of action which passes through the centroid C
(geometric center) of the area defined by the distributed loading diagram
w(x)
 Problem 5.3

As part of a design safety study, a Structural Engineer during

preliminary design of building want to check
effects of wind loads on a 500 ft tall building. The wind pressure has a
parabolic distribution along the height expressed by 𝑝 = 𝑘𝑦 0.25 as
1
shown , and the perpendicular dimension of the building is 100 ft. 𝑝= 𝑘𝑦 4
500 ft
i. Determine the loads acting on the building at its base due to the
wind load.
ii. The worst case scenario is overturning of building which can
occur if the moment acting on the building at ground
level exceeds 175,000 ft⋅k. Check the building would be safe
against overturning due to wind force
 1ൗ
𝑝 = 𝑘𝑦 4

1ൗ
𝐴𝑡 𝑦 = 500 ft, 𝑝 = 20 psf ⇒ 20 = 𝑘500 4
1ൗ
or 𝑘 = 4.23 ⇒ 𝑝 = 4.23𝑦 4

Consider a differential with height=dy and, length(b)

=perpendicular dimension of building =100 ft.
Area over which building pressure acts (dA)=bdy=100dy
1
500 ft 𝑝= 𝑘𝑦 4
Resultant Force due to wind pressure on different area=𝑑𝐹𝑅
1Τ 1Τ dFR
= p(100dy)=4.23𝑦 4 ∗ 100𝑑𝑦 = 423𝑦 4 𝑑𝑦
500
1 4 5 y
𝐹𝑅 = න 𝑑𝐹𝑅 = න 423 𝑦 ൗ4 𝑑𝑦 = 423 ∗ ∗ (500)4 − 0)
0 5

𝐹𝑅 = 800,097 lb or 800 kip

 Location where line of action of resultant wind force intersect p-axis can be
determined by applying Varignon’s theorem about any moment center

𝑀𝑅 𝐴 = ෍ 𝑀𝐴 +⟳−⟲
500 500
1
or 𝐹𝑅 ∗ 𝑦ത = න 𝑑𝐹𝑅 ∗ 𝑦 = න 423𝑦 ൗ4 𝑑𝑦 𝑦 = 423 න 𝑦 5/4 𝑑𝑦
0 0

4 500 9
or 800,097 ∗ 𝑦ത = 423 ∗ න 9004 𝑑𝑦 = 222,249,278 or 𝑦ത = 277.8 ft
9 0

or 𝑀𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑒 = 𝐹𝑅 ∗ 𝑦ത = 800 ∗ 277.8 = 222,240 ft. k

Since wind induced moment exceeds the moment causing overturning (175,000 ftk),
therefore, preliminary work shall be revised. Usually, if no other solution is applied
using anchor piles resolve the issue
 Resultant of Commonly used Distributed Forces
• Beam supporting this stack of lumber is subjected to a uniform distributed
loading, and so the load-intensity diagram has a rectangular shape
• If the load-intensity is wo, resultant is determined from the are of the rectangle
FR = wob
b FR = wob
b/2

• Line of action passes through the centroid or center of the rectangle, 𝑥ҧ = 𝑏/2
• Both loadings produce same “external” effects or support reactions on the beam
 Resultant of Common Distributed Force Systems

1
𝑅 = 𝑤𝑜 𝐿 𝑅 = 𝑤𝑜 𝐿
2

𝐹2 𝑤2 − 𝑤1
𝑅 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 𝐹1

𝑤2
𝑤1 𝑤1 𝐹1 = 𝑤1 𝐿

1
𝐹2 = 𝑤2 − 𝑤1 𝐿
2
 Prob 5.4
Replace the distributed loading by an equivalent resultant force and specify its
location, measured from point A

28
 Prob 5.4: solution
R1= 800*5= 4000 N

≡ 800 N/m

A B

R= ∑F= -4000+900= -3100= 3100 N ↓ + R2 = 0.5*600*3 = 900 N

8m
(MR)B= ∑MB + - 800-200= 600 N/m
 -3100*xB= -4000*(1/2*5)+900*(1/3*3)
 xB= 2.94 m
 xA= 5-2.94= 2.06 m A
2m 3m B29
 Exercise 5.2
5.2.1

Ans: FR= 107 kN, h= 1.6m

5.2.2

Ans: FR= 3.9 k, xo= 11.3 ft

30
 Exercise 5.2

5.2.3 At a certain time during a hurricane, the

wind pressure acting on the wall of a high-rise
building varies linearly as shown. Determine the
resultant force caused by the wind.

31
 Resultant of Non Concurrent , Non Parallel force system

Magnitude of the Resultant

32
 Resultant of Non Concurrent , Non Parallel force system
Location of the Resultant

≡
≡

𝑀𝑅 𝑜 = ෍ 𝑀𝑜

𝑅 ∗ 𝑑 = 𝐹1 ∗ 𝑑1 − 𝐹2 ∗ 𝑑2 + 𝐹3 ∗ 𝑑3

𝐹1 ∗ 𝑑1 − 𝐹2 ∗ 𝑑2 + 𝐹3 ∗ 𝑑3
𝑑= 33
𝑅
 Problem 5.5
Determine the resultant of the three forces acting on the dam shown in Figure and
locate its intersection with the base AB. For good design, this intersection should
occur within the middle third of the base. Does it?

34
 Problem 5.5
➢Rx = ΣFx= 10000- 6000 Cos 30o
= 4804 lb= 4804 lb →

➢ Ry= ΣFy= -24000-6000 Sin 30o

= - 27000 lb = 27000 lb ↓

➢ R= √(4804)2+(27000)2 = 27424 lb

4804 lb
θx = Tan-1 |27000/-4804| θx
= 79.9o
27000 lb
27424 lb 35
 Problem 5.5
Applying Varignon’s theorem at A by assuming line of action of R intersect base to
the right side of A
y
27893 lb
27000 lb
≡
7000 lb Aʹ
B
A
x
ix

(MR)A= ΣMA = 27000*AAʹ=10000*6+24000*7+ 6000 Sin 30o*(18-2)-6000 Cos 30o*3.47

AA ʹ = 9.55 ft (+ ve sign indicate that our assumption (that R intersect x-axis to the the
right side of A) is correct. 36
 Problem 5.5

Middle Third Rule

In civil engineering, the middle third

rule states that no tension is developed in
a wall or foundation if the resultant force lies
within the middle third of the structure.

37
 Problem 5.6

P3
The resultant of the three forces is the
force R = -170j kN acting through point B.
Determine P1, P2, and P3.
 Solution 𝜃
P3

𝜃 = Tan−1 3ൗ4 = 36.9o

𝜃 ≡
𝜃
2 Cos 36.9o

R = 170 kN
𝑅𝑥 = ෍ 𝐹𝑥 or 0 = −𝑃2 + 𝑃3 Sin36.9o = −𝑃2 + 0.6𝑃3

𝑅𝑦 = ෍ 𝐹𝑦 or − 170 = −𝑃1 − 𝑃3 Cos36.9o = −𝑃2 + 0.8𝑃3

𝑀𝑅 𝐵 = ෍ 𝑀𝐵 or 0 = −𝑃1 ∗ 2 Cos 36.9o + 𝑃3 ∗ 2 = −1.6 𝑃1 + 2𝑃3

By solving these simultaneous eqns, we obtain: 𝑃1 = 134.1 kN, 𝑃2 = 64.4 kN & 𝑃3 = 107.3 kN
 Exercise 5.3
5.3.1
The Howe roof truss shown in Figure carries the given loads. The wind loads
are perpendicular to the inclined members. Determine the magnitude of the
resultant, its inclination with the horizontal, and where it intersects AB.

Ans: R= 10778 N downward, θx = 68.2 c.w with = +ve x-axis , 4.8 m to the
right of A

40
 Exercise 5.3
5.3.2

5.3.3

41
 Exercise 5.3
5.3.4

Ans: R= 65.9 lb, θ =49.8o with x-axis in C.W

direction, d=2.1 ft

5.3.5

Ans: R= 542 N, θ =10.6o with -ve x-axis in

A.C.W direction, d=827 mm
 Exercise 5.3

5.3.6 The design specifications for the attachment at

A for this beam depend on the magnitude and
location of the applied loads. Represent the resultant
of the three forces and couple by a single force R at A
and a couple M. Specify the magnitude of R.
Ans. R = 1.879i – 1.684j kN, R = 2.52 kN
M = 14.85 kN·m CW

5.3.7 Determine resultant force, and specify its

location along AB measured from point A

Ans: R= 50.2 kN, θ =84.3o with -ve x-axis

in A.C.W direction, d=4.79m
43
 Exercise 5.3

5.3.8 Determine the resultant of the force

system acting on the beam.

Ans: Resultant R is vertically downward = 600 lb

intersecting the x-axis at x = 10.2 ft
 Exercise Problems which are part of HA 2

Problems
1. 5.1.3
2. 5.1.5
3. 5.2.1
4. 5.3.1
5. 5.3.7

Due date for submission of Home assignment no.2 is the day when you appear
in mid term paper of the Subject