Engineering Mechanics

Unit – 1

Dr. T.R. Neelakantan

1
Units
1. Basic Units
2. Derived Units

Unit Measurement Systems

3.FPS
4.CGS
5.MKS
6.SI

2
Mechanics
1. Laws of motion – Newton’s laws
2. Laws of conservation – Mass, energy, momentum
3. Laws of thermodynamics

3
Frame of Reference
1. Inertial Frame
2. Non-inertial/Acceleration Frame

I am not moving, but sleeping. No, you are moving from my view.

4
Cartesian coordinate system Polar coordinate system

Cylindrical coordinate system

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Vector Addition - Parallelogram Law

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Vector Addition - Triangle Law

7
Vector Addition - Polygon Law of Forces (Vectors)

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Analytical Method of Composition of Two Vectors

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Find the angle between the two vectors 2i + 3j + k, and 5i -2j + 3k.

14
Find the area of the parallelogram whose adjacent sides are
determined by the following vectors

Note: When two vectors represent the sides of a parallelogram, the magnitude of
the cross product provides the area.

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 Coplanar Forces

Concurrent Forces

Like, Parallel Forces Unlike Parallel Forces

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Law of Sines or Lami’s Theorem

Proof for Law of Sines or Lami’s Theorem

Similarly, taking another vertical from B or C can get

another set of relations and hence, it is proved.

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 Lami’s Theorem

Note: 19
Law of Cosine

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If point A is in equilibrium under the action of the applied forces, find
the values of tensions TAB and TAC. [GATE 2006]

As per Lami’s theorm,

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A ball of weight 100 N is suspended by two strings, making angles 30° and 45°
with the horizontal. Find the tensions in the two strings.

Let the tensions in the strings be T₁ (string at 30°) and T₂ (string at 45°).
Using Lami's theorem at the point of suspension:

CHECK

24
A smooth sphere of weight 200 N is resting in equilibrium on a smooth vertical
wall and a smooth inclined plane making an angle 60° with the horizontal. Find
the normal reactions N1​(from the wall) and N2​(from the plane).

Using Lami's theorem at the center of the sphere:

25
A mass 35 kg is suspended from a weightless bar AB which is
supported by a cable CB and a pin at A as shown in figure. Find the
tension T. [GATE 1997]
Weight = 35x9.81 = 348.35 N

26
 Resolve the force F1 into components acting along
the u and v axes and determine the magnitudes of
the components.

Note: Try to solve using Cosine Law. 27

Resolve the force F2 into components acting along
the u and v axes and determine the magnitudes of
the components.

28
Determine the magnitude of the resultant force and
its direction, measured counterclockwise from the
positive x axis.

29
The plate is subjected to the two forces at A and B
as shown. If theta is 60 degree, determine the
magnitude of the resultant of these two forces and
its direction measured clockwise from the
horizontal.

30
The plate is subjected to the two forces at A and B
as shown. If theta is 60 degree, determine the
magnitude of the resultant of these two forces and
its direction measured counter clockwise from the
positive x-axis. Use vectors.

31
Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant
force, FR measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis.
Solve the problem by first finding the resultant F′ = F1 + F2 and
then forming FR = F′ + F3.

Note: Can this be solved

more easily by vector
manipulations?
Please try.

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Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant
force, FR measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis.
Solve the problem using vectors.

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Express F1 and F2 as Cartesian vectors.

Note: Given the vector, practice to find the magnitude and angle, which is reverse
to the above.

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 Determine the magnitude of the resultant force and
its direction measured counterclockwise from the
positive x axis.

In the previous slide, we have the forces in vector form. To find the resultant, we can do
vector addition. From the resultant vector, find the magnitude and angle and compare the
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results.
Three forces act on the bracket. Determine the
magnitude and direction u of F so that the
resultant force is directed along the positive x′ axis
and has a magnitude of 8 kN.

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Moments of a Force

Principle of Moments or Varignon’s Theorem

The moment of a force about a point is equal to the sum of

the moments of the components of the force about the point
37
Determine the moment f the force in figure about point O.

Three different ways are presented here.

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Force F acts at the end of the angle bracket in figure. Determine the moment of
the force about point O.

Scalar Approach

39
Force F acts at the end of the angle bracket in figure. Determine the moment of
the force about point O.

Vector Approach

40
Determine the moment of the force F
about point O. Express the result as a
Cartesian vector.

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Determine the moment of the force F
about point P. Express the result as a
Cartesian vector.

The coordinates of points A and P are A (1, -2, 6) m and

P (0, 4, 3) m, respectively. Thus

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The coordinates of points B and C are
B (0.5, 0, 0) m and C (0.5, 0.7, -0.3) m,
respectively. Thus,

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Couple
The moment produced by two equal, opposite, and non-collinear forces is
called a couple.

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Equivalent Couples

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Force-Couple System

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Free Body Diagram
A diagram of the body in which the body under consideration is freed from all the
contact surfaces and shows all the forces acting on it (including reactions at
contact surfaces), is called a Free Body Diagram (FBD).

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Equilibrium

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A weight of 500 N is supported by two metallic ropes as shown in the
figure. Find the of tensions T1 and T2.

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If point A is in equilibrium under the action of the applied forces, find the values of
tensions TAB and TAC

50
Cable ABC has a length of 5 m. Determine the position
x and the tension developed in ABC required for
equilibrium of the 100-kg mass sack. Neglect the size of
the pulley at B.

51
For the truss shown in figure, find the magnitude of the force in member
PR and the support reaction at R.

52
A rigid ball of weight 100 N is suspended with the help of a string. The ball is
pulled by a horizontal force F such that the string makes an angle of 30° with
the vertical. Find the magnitude of force F (in N).

53
A two member truss ABC is shown in the figures. Find the force (in kN)
transmitted in member AB.

54
A two-member truss PQR is supporting a load W. Find the axial forces in members
PQ and QR.

55
Find the force in the member PR of the truss shown.

56
A fixed crane has a mass of 1000 kg mass and is
used to lift a 2400 kg mass crate. It is held in
place by a pin at A and a rocker at B. The center
of gravity of the crane is located at G. Determine
the components of the reactions at A and B.

Free Body Diagram

The frame supports part of the roof of a
small building. The tension in the cable is
150 kN. Determine the reaction at the fixed
end E.
A gardener uses a 60-N wheelbarrow to transport a 250-N bag of fertilizer. What force
must she exert on each handle?

59
A piece of plywood in which several holes are being drilled successively has been secured
to a workbench by means of two nails. Knowing that the drill exerts a 12-N·m couple on
the piece of plywood, determine the magnitude of the resulting forces applied to the
nails if they are located (a) at A and B, (b) at B and C, (c) at A and C.
Case a

Case b

Case c

60
A pipe of mass 30-kg is supported at H by a system of cords. Determine the force in each
cord for equilibrium.

61
Determine the maximum mass of the lamp that the
cord system can support so that no single cord
develops a tension exceeding 400 N.

Equations for equilibrium at D

Equations for equilibrium at C

Cord DE is subjected to the greatest tensile force

62
The three cables are used to support a
flowerpot of mass 40-kg as shown in figure.
Determine the force developed in each cable
for equilibrium.

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Determine the tension in each cable for equilibrium for
the system shown in figure.

Equilibrium equations are

Solving the above 3 equations, we get the results

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If the man at B exerts a force of P = 30 N on his
rope, determine the magnitude of the force F
the man at C must exert to prevent the pole
from rotating, i.e., so the resultant moment
about A of both forces is zero.

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A twist of 4 Nm is applied to the handle of the screwdriver.
Resolve this couple moment into a pair of couple forces F exerted
on the handle and P exerted on the blade.

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The ends of the triangular plate are subjected to
three couples. Determine the magnitude of the
force F so that the resultant couple moment is 400
Nm clockwise.

67
Express the moment of the couple acting on the pipe in Cartesian vector form
due to the F = 125 N. What is the magnitude of the couple moment?

68
Replace the loading acting on the
beam by a single resultant force.
Specify where the force acts,
measured from end A.

69
The building slab is subjected to four parallel
column loadings. Determine the equivalent
resultant force and specify its location (x, y) on
the slab. Take F1 = 8 kN and F2 = 9 kN.

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Try the following yourself

71
Elements of a arm are shown in the figure. The weight of the forearm is 25 N with mass
center at G. Determine the combined moment about the elbow pivot O of the weights of
the forearm and the sphere of weight 60 N. What must the biceps tension force be so that
the overall moment about O is zero? Assume line OG makes 55 degree with the vertical.
Take x1 =5 cm, x2 = 15 cm and x3 = 35 cm.

60 N

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An exerciser begins with his arm in the relaxed vertical position OA, at which the elastic
band is unstretched. He then rotates his arm to the horizontal position OB. The elastic
modulus of the band is 60 N/m that is, 60 N of force is required to stretch the band each
additional meter of elongation. Determine the moment about O of the force which the
band exerts on the hand at B.

73
Calculate the force and moment reactions at the bolted base O of the overhead traffic-
signal assembly. Each traffic signal has a mass of 36 kg, while the masses of members OC
and AC are 50 kg and 55 kg, respectively. The mass center of member AC is at G.

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