Resultant of Coplanar

Force-Couple Systems

F1
d1
P

d2 F2
F3 d3

Σ MP = F1(d1) + F2(d2) + F3(d3)

 Resultant of Coplanar
Force-Couple Systems

F1 P F2
F3
∑MP

Σ Fx = F1x + F2x + F3x R2 = (ΣFx )2 + (ΣFy )2

Σ Fy = F1y + F2y + F3y θ = tan-1(ΣFy /ΣFx )

Σ MP = F1(d1) + F2(d2) + F3(d3)

 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example 3.8
For the beam AB, reduce the system of forces shown to
(a) an equivalent force-couple system at A,
(b) an equivalent force couple system at B, and
(c) only a single resultant force, and the location of the force.
 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example 3.8 (a)

Σ Fx = 0
Σ Fy = 150j - 600 + 100 – 250
= – 600 N
ΣMA = – 600(1.6) + 100(2.8) – 250(4.8)
= – 1880 Nm 600 N

- 1880 Nm
 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example 3.8 (a)
Alternative Solution
R = 150j - 600j + 100j – 250j
= – 600j N
MA = r x F
= (1.6)i x (– 600j)+ (2.8i) x (100j) + (4.8i) x (– 250j)
= – 1880k Nm
 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example 3.8 (b)

Σ Fx = 0
Σ Fy = 150j - 600 + 100 – 250
= – 600 N
ΣMB = – 150(4.8) + 600(3.2) – 100(2.0)
= 1000 Nm
600 N

1000 Nm
 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example 3.8 (b)
Alternative Solution
R = 150j - 600j + 100j – 250j
= – 600j N
MB = r x F
= (4.8)i x (150j)+ (3.2i) x (– 600j) + (2.0i) x (100j)
= 1000k Nm
 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example 3.8 (c)

MA = – 1880k Nm
MA = r x F = (xi) x (– 600j)
– 1880k = (xi) x (– 600j)
– 1880k = [– 600x](i) x (j)
– 1880k = [– 600x]k
– 1880 = – 600x
3.13 = x
 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example: 40 N 120 N
Three forces and a couple M B
A 600
are applied to a bracket as M
shown. Find the moment of the 0.3 m
couple if the line of action of 0.2 m
the resultant of this loading
C
system passes through:
180 N
(a) point A,
(b) point B,
(c) point C.
 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example Solution Part (a): 40 N 120 N
Note: The sum of moments A B 600
anywhere on the line of action M
of the resultant is zero. 0.3 m
0.2 m
Load x-comp y-comp MA
C
40 N 0 -40 0 180 N
180 N -180 0 -180(0.2)
120 N 120Cos 60 120Sin 60 (120Sin 60)0.3
M Nm - - M
 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example Solution Part (a):
Load x-comp y-comp MA
40 N 0 -40 0
180 N -180 0 -180(0.2)
120 N 120Cos 60 120Sin 60 (120Sin 60)0.3
M Nm - - M

∑MA = 0 – 180(0.2) + (120Sin 60)0.3 + M = 0

0 – 36 + 31.18 + M = 0
0 – 4.82 + M = 0
M = 4.82 Nm
 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example Solution Part (b): 40 N 120 N
A B 600
M
0.3 m
0.2 m
Load x-comp y-comp MB
C
40 N 0 -40 40(0.3) 180 N
180 N -180 0 -180(0.2)
120 N 120Cos 60 120Sin 60 0
M Nm - - M
 Equivalent
Coplanar Force-Couple Systems
Example Solution Part (c): 40 N 120 N
A B 600
M
0.3 m
0.2 m
Load x-comp y-comp MC
C
40 N 0 -40 180 N
180 N -180 0
120 N 120Cos 60 120Sin 60
M Nm - -
 3-d Force-Couple Systems
y
Fy F
Fz
Mo = r x F Mo =
A
r = (xi + yj + zk) r F’
Fx

F = (Fxi + Fyj + Fzk)

O x
z

The concept of equivalent force-couple systems can be

extended to 3-d. To find the equivalent force-couple system
for the above force F at O, we start by finding the moment of
the force about O, then translating the force to O.
 3-d Force-Couple Systems
y

Mo = r x F Mo =
A M
r = (xi + yj + zk) r
y
F’
Mz
F

F = (Fxi + Fyj + Fzk)

O Mx x
z

Mo = (xi + yj + zk) x (Fxi + Fyj + Fzk)

= yFzi + zFxj + xFyk - yFxk - zFyi - xFzj
= (yFz – zFy)i + (zFx – xFz)j + (xFy – yFx)k
 3-d Force-Couple Systems
Example: Problem 3.99
The 12-ft boom AB has a fixed end A,
and the tension in cable BC is 570 lb.
Replace the force that the cable
exerts at B with an equivalent force-
couple system at A.
rBC = (-12i + 4.8j - 8k)
d = {(-12)2 + (4.8)2 + (-8)2}0.5

𝜆 = (-12/15.2)i + (4.8/15.2)j – (8/15.2)k

d = 15.2 ft

F = 570{(-12/15.2)i + (4.8/15.2)j –
F = (Fxi + Fyj + Fzk)

(8/15.2)k}
 3-d Force-Couple Systems
BC = (-12i + 4.8j - 8k) F

𝜆 = (-12/15.2)i + (4.8/15.2)j – (8/15.2)k

d = {(-12)2 + (4.8)2 + (-8)2}0.5 = 15.2 ft
My

F = (Fx i + Fy j + Fzk) = F(𝜆x i + 𝜆y j + 𝜆z k) rAB

F = 570{(-12/15.2)i + (4.8/15.2)j – (8/15.2)k} M 𝜆
F = -450i + 180j – 300k z

rAB = (12i)
MA = rAB x F
= (12i) x (-450i + 180j – 300k)
= 3600j + 2160k
 Resultant of
3-d Force-Couple Systems
Similar to 2-d forces, a general system of forces in 3-d may
be replaced by a collection of force-couple systems at some
point O. These may then be combined into a resultant force
vector and a resultant couple vector.

R = (Fxi + Fyj + Fzk) (MR)O = ∑(r x F)

𝑅 2=( ∑ 𝐹 𝑥 ) 2+ ( ∑ 𝐹 𝑦 ) 2+ ( ∑ 𝐹 𝑧 ) 2
 Sample Problem 3.10 1

Strategy:
• Determine the relative position
vectors for the points of application
of the cable forces with respect to
• A.
Resolve the forces into rectangular
components.
• Compute the equivalent force,

R  F

• Compute the equivalent couple,

Three cables are attached to the R  
bracket as shown. Replace the forces M A  r F  
with an equivalent force-couple
system at A.

Access the text alternative for this image.

© 2019 McGraw-Hill Education.
 Sample Problem 3.10 2

• Resolve the forces into rectangular

components.
 
FB  700 N  
  
 rE B 75 i  150 j  50k
 
rE B 175
 
0.429 i  0.857 j  0.289k
  
Modeling and Analysis: FB 300 i  600 j  200k  N 

• Determine the relative position   

vectors with respect to A.

FC 1000 N  cos 45 i  cos 45 k
 

    
rB A 0.075 i  0.050k m  707 i  707 k N 
    
rC A 0.075 i  0.050k m  FD 1200 N   cos 60 i  cos 30 j 
  
rD A 0.100 i  0.100 j m  600 i  1039 j N 
© 2019 McGraw-Hill Education.
 Sample Problem 3.10 3

• Compute the equivalent force, • Compute the equivalent couple,

   
R  F 
M AR  r F 
  
 300  707  600  i i j k
   
 rB A F B  0.075 0 0.050 30i  45k
   600  1039  j
 300  600 200
  200  707  k  
   i j k
R 1607i  439 j  507 k  N    
rC A F c  0.075 0  0.050 17.68 j
707 0  707
 
i j k
  
rD A F D  0.100  0.100 0 163.9k
600 1039 0

  
M AR 30 i  17.68 j  118.9k N∙m

© 2019 McGraw-Hill Education.

 Locating the Resultant of
3-d Force-Couple Systems
Similar to 2-d forces, the resulting moment anywhere
along the line of action of the resultant is zero. We take
advantage of this fact to locate the line of action of the
resultant.
 Locating the Resultant of
3-d Force-Couple Systems
Example: Problem 3.127
Four horizontal forces act on a vertical
quarter-circular plate of radius 250 mm.
Determine the magnitude and point of
application of the resultant of the four
forces if P = 40 N.
 Locating the Resultant of
3-d Force-Couple Systems
Solution: Problem 3.127
Let us use the origin O as a reference point.
R = (Fxi + Fyj + Fzk)
= (Fxi) O
= (120i + 200i – 40i – 80i) = 200i N
(MR)O = ∑(r x F)
= (0.25j x 120i)+[(0.25Cos30j+ 0.25Sin30k) x (-80i)]+ (0.25k x 200i)
= (-30k)+[(17.32k) – 10j)] + 50j)
= (40j) – 12.68k) Nm
At O, R = 200i & (MR)O = (40j) – 12.68k)
 Locating the Resultant of
3-d Force-Couple Systems
Solution: Problem 3.127
(40j – 12.68k) Nm
At O, R = 200i N
& (MR)O = (40j) – 12.68k) Nm 200i N

To find the point of application of the O

resultant, translate the resultant to a point
on its line of action, noting that there will be
no moment acting there.
But from that point, the resultant will have a
moment about point O equal to the moment
that the would have acted at O prior to the
translation!
 Locating the Resultant of
3-d Force-Couple Systems
Solution: Problem 3.127
Let the point of application be A. The
moment about O, of the resultant acting A 200i N
at A is known. rA
O
Let rA = (yj + zk)
But, (MR)O = (rA x R)
(40j) – 12.68k) = (yj + zk) x 200i
(40j) – 12.68k) = – 200yk + 200zj
Equating j, Equating k,
(40j) = 200zj –12.68k = –200yk
40/200 = z (–12.68)/(–200) = y
z = 0.2 m y = 0.0634 m