Statics Practice Problems PEP J417/517

1. Borelli, a Renaissance biomechanist, observed in 1680 that a man can support a mass of 20 libra (probably about 67 N) from the tip of his flexed thumb. What resultant muscle force must the muscles that cross the distal interphalangeal joint exert to support this weight? To answer this question, it is first necessary to draw a free body diagram. Use the distal phalanx of the thumb (51 g) as the system, and place it in a horizontal position with the joint ( P) on the right. The forces acting on the system include phalanx weight (1.0 cm from P), load (1.7 cm from P), joint reaction force (Fj), and resultant muscle force (Fm, pulling at 0.7 rad and acting at a distance of 0.9 cm from P). (Answer: 197 N) To solve for Fm, we must first draw a free body diagram of the system.

Fm Fl
Given : Fw = ( Fl Fj = ? Fm = ? 51 )( 9.81) = 0.50031 N 1000 = 0.7 rad = 67 N

P Fj

Fw

d w = 1.0cm d l = 1.7cm d m = (sin 0.7 )(0.9cm ) = 0.58cm

Now, we must determine which equation we want to use to solve for Fm. Since we are solving for a force, it might seem appropriate to use the linear equations [ Fx=0; Fy=0]. However, use of these equations would result in two unknowns: Fm and Fj. Instead, we can use the angular equation [ P=0], solve for muscle torque, and then use the moment arm to solve for muscle force. Use the standard convention for angular motion when solving this problem.
P = 0 w + l m = 0 ( Fl d l ) + ( Fw d w ) ( Fm d m ) = 0 ( Fl d l ) + ( Fw d w ) = Fm dm ( 67 N 1.7cm ) + ( 0.50031 N 1.0cm ) = Fm 0.58cm Fm = 197 N

2. The following are x and y coordinates (in meters) for the lower limb of an individual who weighs 562 N and is 1.6 m tall: Landmark Hip Knee Ankle Toes x 0.47 0.71 0.63 0.73 y 0.74 0.47 0.09 0.00

Plot these points on graph paper, and join them to form a stick figure of the lower limb. Use the regression equations in Table 2.1 to find the location of the center of mass for the lower limb. Repeat the procedure using the regression equations in table 2.5, and compare the locations to those obtained with the Table 2.1 data. The stick figure has been plotted below, with the CM for the segments () and the CM for the entire system roughly approximated on the diagram. (The tools in Word will not allow me to plot the coordinates precisely). The calculations for the two tables have been done on the following page. For Table 2.5, I have done calculations using data for the male and the female. The procedures for CM calculations are just like the ones you did for the lab assignment, with one exception. In the last step of your lab assignment, you divided the sum of the moments by the total body weight, in this problem, you divided the sum of the moments by the system weight, which is the sum of the thigh, shank, and foot weights. You always use the weight of the system for which you are determining the CM. If you have any questions about the calculations, please feel free to email me. There are some subtle differences in the segmental CMs, weights, and system CM. Can you explain these differences? Can you identify where these differences might have some practical significance, especially the differences between the male and female systems?

0.80 0.70 y-coordinate (m) 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.30 0.20 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.20

0.47, 0.74

0.71, 0.47

0.63, 0.09 0.73, 0.00 0.40 0.60 x-coordinate (m)

0.80

Using data from Table 2.1:

Segments Thigh Shank Foot CG Location (%) 39.8 41.3 40.0 Segment CGx Location 0.57 0.68 0.67 Segment CGy Location 0.63 0.31 0.09 Segment Weight (Fw,s) (N) 56.6 23.0 7.5 My 32.0 15.6 5.1 My 52.6 CGX 0.603975 Mx 35.8 7.2 0.7 Mx 43.6 CGY 0.501206

Using data from Table 2.5 for women:

Segments Thigh Shank Foot CG Location (%) 36.1 44.2 40.1 Segment CGx Location 0.56 0.67 0.67 Segment CGy Location 0.64 0.30 0.09 Segment Weight (Fw,s) (N) 83.1 27.0 7.2 My 46.2 18.2 4.9 My 69.3 CGX 0.590877 Mx 53.4 8.2 0.6 Mx 62.2 CGY 0.529917

Using data from Table 2.5 for men:

Segments Thigh Shank Foot

CG Location (%) 41.0 44.6 44.2

Segment CGx Location 0.57 0.67 0.67

Segment CGy Location 0.63 0.30 0.09

Segment Weight (Fw,s) (N) 79.6 24.3 7.7

My 45.2 16.4 5.2 My 66.8 CGX 0.598704

Mx 50.1 7.3 0.7 Mx 58.1 CGY 0.520478