PROBLEM 2.

132
Two cables tied together at C are loaded as shown. Knowing that
Q = 60 lb, determine the tension (a) in cable AC, (b) in cable BC.

SOLUTION

ΣFy = 0: TCA − Q cos 30° = 0

With Q = 60 lb

(a) TCA = ( 60 lb )( 0.866 )

TCA = 52.0 lb

(b) ΣFx = 0: P − TCB − Q sin 30° = 0

With P = 75 lb

TCB = 75 lb − ( 60 lb )( 0.50 )

or TCB = 45.0 lb

152
 PROBLEM 2.133
Two cables tied together at C are loaded as shown. Determine the range
of values of Q for which the tension will not exceed 60 lb in either cable.

SOLUTION

Have ΣFx = 0: TCA − Q cos 30° = 0

or TCA = 0.8660 Q

Then for TCA ≤ 60 lb

0.8660Q < 60 lb

or Q ≤ 69.3 lb

From ΣFy = 0: TCB = P − Q sin 30°

or TCB = 75 lb − 0.50Q

For TCB ≤ 60 lb

75 lb − 0.50Q ≤ 60 lb

or 0.50Q ≥ 15 lb

Thus, Q ≥ 30 lb

Therefore, 30.0 ≤ Q ≤ 69.3 lb

153
 PROBLEM 2.134
A welded connection is in equilibrium under the action of the four forces
shown. Knowing that FA = 8 kN and FB = 16 kN, determine the
magnitudes of the other two forces.

SOLUTION

Free-Body Diagram of 3 3
Connection ΣFx = 0: FB − FC − FA = 0
5 5

With FA = 8 kN, FB = 16 kN

4 4
FC = (16 kN ) − (8 kN )
5 5

FC = 6.40 kN

3 3
ΣFy = 0: − FD + FB − FA = 0
5 5

With FA and FB as above:

3 3
FD = (16 kN ) − (8 kN )
5 5

FD = 4.80 kN

154
 PROBLEM 2.135
A welded connection is in equilibrium under the action of the four forces
shown. Knowing that FA = 5 kN and FD = 6 kN, determine the
magnitudes of the other two forces.

SOLUTION

Free-Body Diagram of 3 3
Connection ΣFy = 0: − FD − FA + FB = 0
5 5

3
or FB = FD + FA
5

With FA = 5 kN, FD = 8 kN

5 3 
FB = 6 kN + ( 5 kN ) 
3  5 

FB = 15.00 kN

4 4
ΣFx = 0: − FC + FB − FA = 0
5 5

4
FC = ( FB − FA )
5

4
= (15 kN − 5 kN )
5

FC = 8.00 kN

155
 PROBLEM 2.136
Collar A is connected as shown to a 50-lb load and can slide on a
frictionless horizontal rod. Determine the magnitude of the force P
required to maintain the equilibrium of the collar when (a) x = 4.5 in.,
(b) x = 15 in.

SOLUTION

Free-Body Diagram of Collar (a) Triangle Proportions

4.5
ΣFx = 0: − P + ( 50 lb ) = 0
20.5

or P = 10.98 lb

(b) Triangle Proportions

15
ΣFx = 0: − P + ( 50 lb ) = 0
25

or P = 30.0 lb

156
 PROBLEM 2.137
Collar A is connected as shown to a 50-lb load and can slide on a
frictionless horizontal rod. Determine the distance x for which the collar
is in equilibrium when P = 48 lb.

SOLUTION

Free-Body Diagram of Collar

Triangle Proportions

50 xˆ
Hence: ΣFx = 0: − 48 + =0
400 + xˆ 2

48
or xˆ = 400 + xˆ 2
50

(
xˆ 2 = 0.92 lb 400 + xˆ 2 )
xˆ 2 = 4737.7 in 2

xˆ = 68.6 in.

157
 PROBLEM 2.138
A frame ABC is supported in part by cable DBE which passes through a
frictionless ring at B. Knowing that the tension in the cable is 385 N,
determine the components of the force exerted by the cable on the
support at D.

SOLUTION

The force in cable DB can be written as the product of the magnitude of the force and the unit vector along the
cable. That is, with
JJJG
DB = ( 480 mm ) i − ( 510 mm ) j + ( 320 mm ) k

DB = ( 480 )2 + ( 510 )2 + ( 320 )2 = 770 mm

JJJG
DB 385 N
F = F λ DB = F = ( 480 mm ) i − ( 510 mm ) j + ( 320 mm ) k 
DB 770 mm 

F = ( 240 N ) i − ( 255 N ) j + (160 N ) k

Fx = +240 N, Fy = −255 N, Fz = +160.0 N

158
 PROBLEM 2.139
A frame ABC is supported in part by cable DBE which passes through a
frictionless ring at B. Determine the magnitude and direction of the
resultant of the forces exerted by the cable at B knowing that the tension
in the cable is 385 N.

SOLUTION

The force in each cable can be written as the product of the magnitude of the force and the unit vector along
the cable. That is, with
JJJG
BD = − ( 0.48 m ) i + ( 0.51 m ) j − ( 0.32 m ) k

BD = ( −0.48 m )2 + ( 0.51 m )2 + ( −0.32 m )2 = 0.77 m

JJJG
BD TBD
TBD = T λ BD = TBD =  − ( 0.48 m ) i + ( 0.51 m ) j − ( 0.32 m ) k 
BD 0.77 m 

TBD = TBD ( −0.6234i + 0.6623j − 0.4156k )

and
JJJG
BE = − ( 0.27 m ) i + ( 0.40 m ) j − ( 0.6 m ) k

BE = ( −0.27 m )2 + ( 0.40 m )2 + ( −0.6 m )2 = 0.770 m

JJJG
BD TBE
TBE = T λ BE = TBE =  − ( 0.26 m ) i + ( 0.40 m ) j − ( 0.6 m ) k 
BD 0.770 m 

TBE = TBE ( −0.3506i + 0.5195 j − 0.7792k )

Now, because of the frictionless ring at B, TBE = TBD = 385 N and the force on the support due to the two
cables is

F = 385 N ( −0.6234i + 0.6623j − 0.4156k − 0.3506i + 0.5195j − 0.7792k )

= − ( 375 N ) i + ( 455 N ) j − ( 460 N ) k

159
 PROBLEM 2.139 CONTINUED

The magnitude of the resultant is

F = Fx2 + Fy2 + Fz2 = ( −375 N )2 + ( 455 N )2 + ( −460 N )2 = 747.83 N

or F = 748 N

The direction of this force is:

−375
θ x = cos −1 or θ x = 120.1°
747.83

455
θ y = cos −1 or θ y = 52.5°
747.83

−460
θ z = cos −1 or θ z = 128.0°
747.83

160
 PROBLEM 2.140
A steel tank is to be positioned in an excavation. Using trigonometry,
determine (a) the magnitude and direction of the smallest force P for
which the resultant R of the two forces applied at A is vertical, (b) the
corresponding magnitude of R.

SOLUTION

Force Triangle (a) For minimum P it must be perpendicular to the vertical resultant R

∴ P = ( 425 lb ) cos 30°

or P = 368 lb

(b) R = ( 425 lb ) sin 30°

or R = 213 lb

161