CHAPTER – I

COPLANAR CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEMS

INTRODUCTION

Mass(m): It is a measure of inertia of a body which is its resistance to change of

motion.

Force(F) It is the action of one body on another body which tends to cause a
change in the state of rest or of motion of the bodies. It is characterized by its
magnitude, direction, line of action and sense.

Characteristics:
(a) Magnitude: Magnitude of a force is represented by a certain number. In SI
System (System International) the basic unit of force is Newton(N)

(b) Line of action: The line of action of a force is the infinite line along which the
force acts. The magnitude of the force can be represented by a segment of this line.

(c) Direction: The direction of a force is defined by the angle , the line of action
makes with a reference axis.

(d) Sense: The sense of a force is indicated by an arrowhead.

Line of action

Magnitude Sense
θ = Direction
Reference axis
Type of Forces:

(i) External Forces: Action of other body or bodies on the given rigid body.
(ii) Internal Forces: Forces, which hold together the particles of a rigid body.

Particle & Rigid Body

Particle: A particle is a very small amount of matter, which may be assumed to
occupy a single point in space. The word particle in mechanics can mean bodies as
large as a ship, an aero plane, a road car etc. provided we do not consider the
motion about its mass centre.

Rigid Body: A rigid body is a combination of a large number of particles

occupying fixed positions with respect to each other. Hence a rigid body will not
undergo any deformation under the action of external forces. Actual bodies do
undergo small deformations. But these small deformations can be neglected in the
study of mechanics and we treat all bodies to be perfectly rigid.

Force System: When several forces of varying magnitude act on a body, they are
said to form a system of forces.

(i) Coplanar Force System: In this force system, line of action of all the forces
lie in the same plane.

(ii) Non Coplanar Force System: In a non coplanar force system, the line of
action of all the forces do not lie in a single plane

(iii) Concurrent Force System: In a concurrent force system, the line of action
of all the forces meet at a single point

(iv) Non Concurrent Force System: In a non concurrent force system, the
line of action of all the forces do not meet at a single point.

(v) Coplanar Concurrent Force System: In a coplanar concurrent force

system, the line of action of all the forces lie in the same plane and meet at a single
point.

(vi) Coplanar Non concurrent Force System: In a coplanar non concurrent

force system, the line of action of all the forces do lie in a single plane but they do
not meet at a single point.

(vii) Non coplanar Concurrent Force System: In a non coplanar

concurrent force system, the line of action of all the forces do not lie in the same
plane but they meet at a single point.

(viii) Non coplanar Non concurrent Force System: In a non coplanar non
concurrent force system, the line of action of all the forces neither lie in the same
plane nor they meet at a single point.

(ix) Collinear Force System: Forces having the same line of action are said to
be collinear.

Some Fundamental Laws:

(a) Newton’s Laws of Mechanics.

(i) First Law: If the resultant force acting on a body is equal to zero, the body
will continue to be at rest (if it was originally at rest) or move at constant speed
along a straight line.

(ii) Second Law: If the resultant force acting on a body is not equal to zero,
the body will have an acceleration in the direction of the resultant force and
proportional to the resultant force.
 Resultant 
Acceleration
F ma= where m- mass of the body in kg.
a -acceleration in m/s2
UNIT FORCE: When mass = 1kg and acceleration = 1m/s2, then F = 1kgm/s2=1N

1 Newton(N): It is the force required to produce an acceleration of 1m/s2 on a

body of mass 1 kg.

(iii) Third Law: The action and reaction forces between interacting bodies are
always equal and opposite in direction and collinear.

Newton’s first law contains the principles of equilibrium of forces which is the
main topic of concern in statics. Newton’s second law forms the basis for most of the
analysis in dynamics. The third law is the basis to our understanding of forces. It
states that forces always occur in pairs of equal and opposite forces. Thus the
downward force exerted by a duster on the desk is accompanied by an upward force
of equal magnitude exerted on the duster by the desk. Lack of careful attention to
this basic law is the cause of frequent errors.

In analyzing the bodies, it is necessary to isolate the body under consideration and
then consider forces acting on the body in question.

(b) Principle of Transmissibility:

Statement: A force may be applied at any point on its line of action without altering
the external effect on the rigid body on which it acts.

Explanation: The external effect of the force P will remain the same whether it is
applied as a push at A or as a pull at B along its line of action.
A B A B
P P

Hence in our study of mechanics, as we are mainly interested in the external effect
of the forces on rigid bodies, it is necessary and sufficient to specify the magnitude,
line of action, direction and sense of the force.

Some Trigonometric Relations:

C
θ1
B θ2
θ3 A
 A B C
Sine Rule:  
sin 1 sin  2 sin  3

Cosine Rule: A2 = B2 + C2 – 2BC Cos1

Sin (+) = Sin Cos + Cos Sin

Sin(2) = 2 Sin Cos
Cos(+) = Cos Cos – Sinα Sinβ
Cos(2) = Cos2 – Sin2 = 2Cos2 – 1 = 1 – 2 Sin2
1  cos 2 1  cos 2
Cos2 = and Sin2 =
2 2
tan   tan 
Tan (+) =
1  tan  tan 

Accuracy Limits & Approximations:

Pocket calculators used in performing numerical computations give eight to

ten significant figures. But students should not record more significant figures than
that can be justified. An accuracy greater than 0.2 percent is seldom necessary or
meaningful in the solution of practical engineering problems. Accuracy to three or
four significant figures is considered satisfactory for majority of engineering
calculations.
Example:
25.436578 = 25.44, 102.435678 = 102.4, 0.34563657 = 0.3456

When the quantities involved are either too large or too small, they must be written in
the engineering form.

Example: 0.000375 as 37510-6 or as 0.37510-3

2785435 as 2.785106 or as 2785103

This can be done by using ENG function of the calculator.

Resultant: Resultant of a force system is that single force which acting alone
produces the same effect on the body as that due to the given system of forces.

Graphical Principles:
(i) Parallelogram Law: The resultant of two forces P and Q acting at the point A
can be obtained by constructing a parallelogram with P and Q as its adjacent sides.
The diagonal that passes through the point A represents the resultant in magnitude
and direction.
Q
Q R

θ 
A P
P
(ii) Triangle Law: If the two forces acting at a point be represented by the two
sides of a triangle taken in order, then their resultant is represented by the third side
of the triangle taken in the reverse order.
In other words, if the two forces are arranged in a tip to tail fashion, then the
line joining the tail of the first force to the tip of the second force represents the
resultant in magnitude and direction.
Q
R
Q
θ  θ
A P
P
Example(1): Determine the resultant of the two forces acting as shown in figure.

2000N
2000N
R
45o
1500N 135o
45o 
15o 15o 1500N
Force Triangle
Consider the force triangle.
Using Cosine rule:
R = 1500 2  2000 2  2  1500  2000  cos 135 = 3239N
3239 2000 2000
Also using sine rule:   sin    sin 135
sin 135 sin  3239
 = 25.89o = 40.89o with respect to reference axis

(iii) Polygon rule: The resultant of a system of concurrent forces can be obtained
by arranging the forces in a tip to tail fashion. The line joining the tail of the first force
to the tip of the last force represents the resultant both in magnitude and direction.
F2 F3
F3 F4

F1 R F2
F4 F1
Force Polygon
(iv) Resultant of collinear forces: The resultant of collinear forces is given
by the algebraic sum of their magnitudes.
F1 F2
F1 F2
R = F1 + F2
Composition & Resolution of Forces:
(i) Composition: Composition is the process of combining two or more forces
into a single force (called resultant) such that this single force acting alone produces
the same effect on the body as that due to the given system of forces. In other
words, the process of determining the resultant is known as composition.
(ii) Resolution: Resolution is the reverse process of composition. In resolution, a
single force is replaced by two or more forces (called the components) such that they
together produce the same effect on the body as that due to the given single force.
F6 F3
F2 F5
F4
F1

F components of F and F5 & F6 also are

F1&F2 are components of F. F3 & F4 are also
components of F. Thus it is obvious that a given force can be resolved into its
components in an infinite way.

Special Cases:
(i) One of the two components is known in magnitude and
direction.
In this case our aim is to determine the magnitude and direction of the second
component. The second component can be obtained by using the triangle rule. Let F
be the force and F1 be one of its components known in magnitude and direction. The
second component is represented by the line joining the tip of the force F 1 to the tip
of the force F.

Using Cosine rule: F2 = F 2  F12  2  F  F1  cos  1

F
F θ2
θ1 F2
θ1 θ3
F1
F1
Force Triangle
F2 F1 F1
Also using sine rule:  sin2 =  sin  1
sin 1 sin  2 F2
Example(2): Determine the magnitude and direction of the force P so that the
resultant of the 900N force and P is a vertical force of 2700N directed downward.
900N
900N
10o
100o
θ 2700N P
P θ

Force Triangle
Using cosine rule: P = 900 2  2700 2  2  900  2700  cos 100 = 2991N
2991 900 900
Using sine rule :  sin =  sin 100 ;  = 17.24o
sin 100 sin  2991

(ii) To resolve a given force along two given directions:

In this case the line of action of both the components is known. The
magnitude and sense of the components can be obtained by constructing the
parallelogram drawing lines parallel to the given directions through the tip of the
given forceFF2
F
θ2
F F2
θ2
θ1 θ1
F1
F1
Parallelogram

Example(3):Resolve the 3000N force along the two directions shown.

3000N
F2 60o
3000N F2
30o
90o
60o
30o
30o F1
F1
Force Triangle

Consider the force triangle;

3000 F1 F2 3000
Using sine rule:   , F1 =  sin 60 = 5196N,
sin 30 sin 60 sin 90 sin 30
3000
F2 =  sin 90 = 6000N
sin 30

(i) Resolution of a force into rectangular components:

This is a special case of the resolution of a force along two given directions. If
the angle between the two directions is 90o, the parallelogram formed will be a
rectangle and hence the two components are called rectangular components. We
call the two directions as the x and y directions and the two components as x-
component and y-component.
From the properties of right angled triangle, we have FY
Fx/F = cos  Fx = F cos F
Fy/F = sin  Fy = F sin
θ
NOTE: FX
 (i) It should be remembered that the two directions x and y need not be
horizontal and vertical. But the angle between them must be 90o.
(ii) The component along that axis with respect to which the angle is
measured is always F cos F
y x
Fx = F sin, Fy = F cos
θ
Example (4): Resolve the 500N force into its rectangular components.
y
500N
y x

30o
500N
30o
x
Fx = 500 cos30 = 433N Fx = 500sin30 = 250N
Fy = 500sin30 = 250N Fy = 500cos30 = 433N

(ii) The Force whose rectangular components are known:

After completing the parallelogram (in this case a rectangle) and using the
property of a right angled triangle we have
 Fy 
F = Fx2  Fy2 and  = tan 1   Fy F
 Fx  θ
FX
Determination of the resultant of coplanar concurrent force system
( By resolution into rectangular components)

Procedure:
(i) Select a set of convenient reference axes and indicate them clearly.

(ii) Resolve the given forces into their rectangular components.

(iii) The components along the x-axis form a system of collinear forces. They can be
replaced by a single force of magnitude equal to the algebraic sum of the magnitude
of the components.
Rx =  Fx and Ry =  Fx
(iii) Knowing the two rectangular components of the resultant, determine its
magnitude and direction using:
 RY 
(i) R = Fx2  R 2y and  = tan-1  R  Ry R
 X
θ
RX
This resultant force acts at the same point where the given force system act.
Hence show the resultant in the given space diagram.
NOTE: To determine the algebraic sum of the components, indicate any one
direction as positive direction and the components acting in that direction as
positive.

Example(5): Find the resultant of the force system shown .

1732N
y
y 2000N 1000N

388.2N
1500N
45o 30o
15o 1449N
x 15o
x
Rx =  Fx+ = 1000 + 1449 = 2449N
2120N
Ry =  Fy+ = 1732 + 388.2 = 2120N
R
R = 2449 2  2120 2 = 3239N θ
 2120  2449N
 = tan-1  2449  = 40.88o
 

Example (6): Find the resultant of the concurrent force system shown in figure:
y

51.3N 85N
170N
150N 147.2N
o
141N
20o 30 x
50o 135N
40o
210N 45N
70N 150N
53.6N 160.9N
150N
Rx =  Fx+ = 147.2 + 135 – 45 –141 = 96.2N
96.2N
Ry =  Fy+ = 85 – 160.9 – 53.6 – 150 + 51.3 = 228.2N θ
R
R = 228.2 2  96.2 2 = 247.6N 228.2N
 228 . 2 
 = Tan 1   = 67.14o
 96 .2 
Example(7): Determine the resultant of the six forces acting on the bracket as
shown in figure. 76.6N
100N y
70.48N
75N 64.28N
40o o 40o 25.65N
30 20 o 150N
20o x
o 150N 15o
Rx =  Fx+ = 64.28 – 70.48 – 150 + 217.3 – 125 = 63.9N
Ry =  Fy+ = 76.6 – 25.65 – 58.23 + 216.5 – 200 = 9.22N

63.9N
R = 9.22 2  63.9 2 = 64.56N
θ
 9.22  R
 = Tan 1   = 8.21o
 63 . 9 
9.22N

Example(8): If the resultant of the force system is a 500N force acting horizontally
to the right, determine P and .
1414N
2000N
1414N
45o R = 500N
20o θ 469.8N
P cosθ
500N P
171N P sinθ
Rx+ =  Fx+
444.2N
500 = 1414 + P cos - 469.8 P cos = 444.2N
Ry+ =  Fy+ θ
0 = 1414 – P sin - 171  P sin = 1243N
R
P = 444.2  1243 = 1320N
2 2

 1243 
 = Tan 1   = 70.34o 1243N
 444.2 
Observations:
(i) When an unknown force is to be determined and if the answer obtained is
negative, it will only imply that the assumed sense is wrong. In the above
example, P cos = -444.2N. This means that P cos is acting in the opposite
direction i.e. acting towards the left. P sin = 1243N. The positive value implies
that the assumed sense of Psin is correct, i.e. it acts downward as assumed
originally.

(ii) It will be more appropriate to show the actual direction of the force in the
answer with an arrow rather than writing the answer with a minus sign.
(iii) The vector diagram of the two components must be drawn before
determining the magnitude and direction of the unknown force, since the
correct sense and direction can be obtained only from this diagram.

Example(9): The resultant of three forces of which two are shown in figure is a
35kN force acting at 30o to the horizontal as shown in figure. Determine the third
force.
F3 sinθ
F2 = 10kN 10kN

F3 cosθ
30o F1 = 20kN Rx = 30.1kN 20kN
50.31kN
R = 35kN
Let F3 be the third force as shown in figure. θ
Rx+ =  Fx+ Ry = 17.5kN F3
-30.31 = 20 + F3 cos  F3 cos = 50.31kN
Ry+ =  Fy+ 27.5kN
- 17.5 = 10 + F3 sin  F3 sin = 27.5kN
 27.5 
F3 = 50.312  27.5 2 = 57.43kN ;   Tan 1   = 28.66o
 50.31 

Example(10):
If the resultant is a horizontal force of 300N, determine the value of angle  for the
tension T2 to be a minimum and find the corresponding values of T1 and T2.
T2 300N
20 o
θ
T1 90o T2
20o
T1 Force Triangle

Consider the force triangle. For T2 to be minimum, the angle between T1 and
T2 must be 90o. From the property of right angled triangle
T1 = 300 cos20 = 281.9N and T2 = 300 sin20 = 102.6N,  = 70o

EQUILIBRIUM OF COPLANAR CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

Equilibrium: When the resultant of all the forces acting on a body is zero, it is said
to be in equilibrium.
Two Force System in Equilibrium: If a body is acted upon by only two forces
and is in equilibrium, then the two forces have the same magnitude, same line of
action and opposite sense.
Polygon Rule: If a body is in equilibrium under the action of several coplanar
concurrent forces, the force polygon formed by arranging the forces in a tip to tail
fashion will close upon itself i.e. the tip of the last force will meet the tail of the first
force.
400N 300N

30o 173.2N
300N 400N
200N
o
200N 30
173.2N Force Polygon

NOTE:
If there are only three forces, then the force polygon formed will be a triangle
and the sine or cosine rule can be applied to determine the unknowns.

Algebraic Condition:
The two rectangular components Rx and Ry of the resultant must be zero.
Rx =  Fx = 0 and Ry =  Fy = 0
These are two independent equations of static equilibrium of coplanar concurrent
force system, using which a maximum of two unknowns can be determined.

Example(11): Determine F1 and F2 for equilibrium. 400N

 Fy+ = 0
i.e F2 cos30 - 400 = 0  F2 = 461.9N F1
 Fx + = 0
i.e F1 - 461.9 sin30 = 0  F1 = 230.9N 30o
F2
Lami’s Theorem:
Statement: If a body is in equilibrium under the action of three coplanar concurrent
forces, then each force is proportional to the sine of the angle between the other two
forces.
S Q

(180-β) S
Let P, Q and S be in equilibrium β γ
Then according to Lami’s theorem, P (180-)
P/sin = Q/sin = S/sin
Proof: P (180-γ)
Q
Consider the force triangle. Using sine rule
P/sin(180-) = Q/sin(180-) = S/sin(180 - ) Force Triangle
But sin(180-) = sin
P Q S
   Hence the proof.
sin  sin  sin 

Equilibrant:
 Equilibrant of a force system is that single force which acing along with the
given system of forces keeps the body in equilibrium.

Equilibrant has the same magnitude and the same line of action as that of the
resultant but of opposite sense. Hence to determine the equilibrant, the resultant of
the system may be found as usual and show its sense reversed.

Example(12): Determine the equilibrant of the force system.

To find the resultant: 56.7N
72o
Rx =  Fx+ = 100 – 43.3 = 56.7N 175N
Ry =  Fy+ = 200 – 25 = 175N 175N
200N
72o
R = 175 2  56.7 2 = 184N 56.7N
 175  30o 100N Resultant Equibrant
 = tan –1  56.7  = 72o
  50N
Law of superposition:
Action of a given system of forces on a body will no way be changed if we add or
subtract from them another system of forces in equilibrium.

Law of Action and Reaction:

Any pressure on a support causes an equal and opposite pressure from the support
so that action and reaction are two equal and opposite forces. This principle is
nothing but the Newton’s third law.

Two kinds of forces which act on a body are:

(i) Active forces: The gravity force (self weight) and all applied forces form the
set of active forces.

(ii) Reactive forces: These forces replace the supports. They are the forces
exerted by the supports on the body consistent with the nature of constraints.

A body will be in equilibrium if the active and reactive forces together

represent a system of forces in equilibrium.

Thus to investigate the conditions of equilibrium, it is necessary that we

isolate the body in question from all other bodies so that a complete and accurate
account of all forces that act on the body ( active and reactive) may be taken. The
diagram of such an isolated body with all the external forces acting on it is called a
FREE BODY DIAGRAM. Free body diagram is the key to the understanding of
mechanics. It is the tool by which the cause and the effect are clearly separated.
Hence construction of free body diagram is the first step in the analysis of every
problem in mechanics.
Space Diagram & Free Body Diagram:

Space Diagram: A sketch showing the physical conditions of an engineering

problem is called the space diagram.

Free Body Diagram (FBD): It is obtained from the given space diagram by
choosing a significant particle/particles and drawing a separate diagram showing this
particle/particles and all the forces acting on it.

Forces acting on the free body are:

(i) Gravity Force (Self weight) which always acts through the centre of gravity and
directed vertically downward.

(ii) Externally applied forces.

(iii) Reactive forces: These are the action of all other bodies which were in contact
with it and are removed.

Some useful Guide lines for drawing free body diagrams:

(i) Compressive Forces: They are indicated by arrow directed towards the free
body.

(ii) Tensile Forces: Forces trying to pull the particles of a body apart are called
tensile forces. They are indicated by arrow directed away from the body.
F F F F

Compressive Force Tensile Force

(iii) Action of smooth surfaces: The force of reaction will be normal to the
surface and is indicated by arrow directed towards the free body.

(iv) Action of flexible members: (rope, chain, string, belt etc.) They can be
subjected to only tensile force. Their action is therefore indicated by arrow directed
away from the body. (pull).

(v) Flexible cable passing over smooth pulley: The tension on either side
of the pulley will be equal.

(vi) Action of smooth walls: Wall cannot pull the body towards it but exert a
push on the body. Action is indicated by an arrow directed towards the body

(vii) Action and reaction forces between two bodies in contact will be always equal
and opposite.
(viii) If the contact surfaces are rough, the contact force will involve two
components, normal component and a tangential component (friction force).

Note: After drawing the free body diagram, the unknown forces involved are to
be determined by carefully selecting the most appropriate method which
involves minimum effort.

The following points may be remembered:

(a) If only three forces are involved:-

(i) Form the force triangle and apply sine or cosine rule.

(ii) Apply Lami’s theorem if and only if the sense of the unknowns are known.

(iii) If one of the unknowns is horizontal or vertical select horizontal and vertical
reference axes and determine the unknowns using Fx = 0 and  Fy = 0

(b) When the number of forces involved are more than three:

(i) If one of the unknowns is along horizontal or vertical, use Fx = 0 and  Fy = 0 to
determine the unknowns with horizontal and vertical reference axes.
(ii) If the unknowns are not along horizontal or vertical, they can be determined by
horizontal and vertical summation but will involve the solution of simultaneous
equations.

(iii) By selecting one of the reference axes along any one of the unknowns (rotated
axes), one can avoid the time consuming exercise of solving the simultaneous
equation, and is in fact a very effective and powerful tool in solving a variety of
problems.

Construction of Free Body Diagram

Procedure:
(i) Decide which body or combination of bodies is to be isolated.

(ii) Show a separate diagram showing the complete boundary of the isolated body.

(iii) All forces acting on the isolated body are represented in their proper position on
the diagram of the isolated body.

(iv) If the sense of an unknown force cannot be predicted, it may be assumed to

have arrow towards or away from the free body. If the solution obtained is a positive
quantity, it will imply that the assumed sense is correct and a negative solution
implies that the assumed sense is wrong. It is important to be consistent with the
assigned sense of the unknown forces through out the calculations. i.e either
assume the sense as away from the body or towards the body.
NOTE:
(a) Show clearly the coordinate axes.

(b) The force arrows should be clearly distinguished from any other arrows, which
may appear in the sketch.

(c) Permitted colour combinations can be used to make the diagrams more legible.

(d) Remember Free Body Diagram is the most important single step in the solution
of problems in mechanics.

(e) Indicating the unknown reaction forces in the given space diagram will help in
selecting the body or bodies to be isolated, since at a time only two unknowns can
be determined.

Two Important Theorems:

Theorem (1) If a body is in equilibrium under the action of only two forces, then the
two forces must have the same magnitude, same line of action and opposite sense.

Theorem (2) If a body is in equilibrium under the action of only three forces, then
the three forces must either be parallel or concurrent.

The above theorems will be proved in the next chapter but may have to be applied in
solving some of the problems of this section.

Example (13)
Determine F1 and F2 if the system is in equilibrium.
F2 3kN
3kN y’
F2 F1 20o x’
20o 50o
8kN 50o F1
16kN 40o 8kN

Let x’ axis be along F1 Axes rotated

 Fy’ = 0 i.e 8 cos50 - 3 sin50 - F2 cos20 = 0  F2 = 3.03kN
 Fx’ = 0 i.e F1 - 8 sin50 – 3.03 sin20 – 3 cos50 = 0  F1 = 9.09kN

Observations:
(i) By selecting the new reference axes x’ and y’, the mathematical simplifications
involved in solving a simultaneous equation is completely avoided.

(ii) After selecting the new reference axes (rotated axes), it is very important to
determine and indicate clearly the angles made by the forces with the new axes of
reference before attempting to write the equations.

Example (14)
The homogeneous cylinder shown in figure has a mass of 40kg and rests on smooth
surfaces. Determine the reactions at A and B.

392.4N y 392.4N
30o x
40kg
A
B RA RA
60o 30o
60o 30o RB RB
Space Diagram Space Diagram with Free Body Diagram
all forces marked with axes rotated
 Fx = 0 i.e -392.4 sin30 + RA = 0  RA = 196.2N
 Fy = 0 i.e RB – 392.4 cos30 = 0  RB = 340N

Example (15):
Two smooth cylinders A and B each of weight 200N and diameter 400mm rest in a
horizontal channel with vertical walls and base width 720mm as shown in figure.
Find the reactions at P, Q and S.
720mm 200N
200N
B RS 200N
B S
RS
RP A B’ 36.87o
p A
B
Q 400mm R AB
From triangle ABB’, RQ F B D of B
1  320 Space Diagram θwith
 = Cos   = 36.87 o Space Diagram
A B’
 400  all the forces marked
320mm

FBD of Cylinder B 200N 333.3N

 Fy = 0 i.e RAB sin 36.87 – 200 = 0  RAB = 333.3N
 Fx = 0 i.e. 333.3 cos36.87 – RS = 0  RS = 266.7N
RP 36.87o
FBD of cylinder A
 Fx = 0 i.e. RP – 333.3cos36.87 = 0  RP = 266.7N
 Fy = 0 i.e. RQ – 333.3sin36.87 – 200 = 0  RQ = 400 RQ
F B D of A
Example (16)
Two smooth spheres are kept as shown in figure. Determine the reactions at all
contact points. Sphere 1 is of radius 1m and sphere 2 is of radius 0.5m.
1000N 200N 1000N 200N

C RC 2
2 1
1 θ
D 60o RD
RA
A 30o
B
60o 30o RB
Space Diagram with
Space Diagram all the forces marked
  0 .5 
 = sin –1   = 19.47o
 1 .5  200N
FBD of Sphere 2 30o
 Fx = 0 i.e. RC cos 19.47 – 200 sin30 = 0
 RC = 106.1N RC
 Fy = 0 i.e. RD – 200 cos30 – 106.1 sin19.47 = 0 19.47o
 RD = 208.6N RD
FBD of Sphere 2 1000N

FBD of Sphere 1 30o

19.47o
 Fx = 0 i.e. RA – 106.1cos19.47 – 1000 sin30 = 0 106.7N
 RA = 600N
 Fy = 0 i.e. RB + 106.1sin19.47 – 1000cos30 = 0
 RB = 831N RA RB
FBD of Sphere 1
Example (17)
Two cylinders A of weight 3000N and B of weight 8000N rest on smooth inclines as
shown in figure. They are connected by a bar of negligible weight hinged to each
cylinder at their geometric centres by smooth pins. Find the force P required to hold
the system in the given position.
3000N 8000N
P P
A o 45o
A 45 o 20
20o R1 60o FAB 3000N
o B
60
FBD of cylinder A B
45o Space diagram with 30o R2
 Fy = 0 Space Diagram
i.e. FABcos 40 – 3000 sin60 = 0forces marked y
all the
FAB = 3392N i.e. R1 – 3000 cos60 – 3392 sin40 = 0 60o x
R1 = 3680N

FBD of cylinder B FAB

y 8000N 40o
 Fy = 0 R1
i.e. R2 – 8000cos45 – 3392cos25 = 0 45o P FBD of cylinder A
R2 = 8731N 25o
 Fx = 0 3392N
i.e. –P – 8000sin45 + 3392 sin25 = 0
P = 4223N R2
FBD of cylinder B
Example (18)
A 100kN load is hung by means of a rope. Determine the pull applied in the
horizontal direction, which will make the rope inclined at 120o to the direction of the
pull. (b)Determine also the least pull required to keep the rope in the same position.
T
30o

A P
120o
A P 100kN
FBD of point A
100kN
 Fy = 0 i.e. T cos30 – 100 = 0  T = 115.5kN
 Fx = 0 i.e. P – 115.5 sin30 = 0  P = 57.74kN

(b)To find the minimum force P P

T
30o P 90o
100kN
θ
A T 30o
Consider the force triangle 100kN
Force Triangle
For P to be minimum, the angle between P and T must be 90o.
Also from the force triangle
P = 100 sin30  P = 50kN and  = 30o
Example (19)
A roller of radius 300mm weighing 2000N is to be pulled over a curb of height
150mm by a horizontal force P applied to the end of a string wound around the
circumference of the roller. Find the magnitude of P
(b)Also find the least pull applied through the centre of the wheel just to turn it over
the curb. P 2000N
P C

30o RB

O
P θ
B B O’
2000N
150mm A RB
FBD of C
Space diagram with
Observations: all the forces marked
(i) At the time of the roller moving over the curb, the contact at A will be lost
and hence reaction at A i.e. RA = 0

(ii)Since only three forces now keep the roller in equilibrium and two of them
meet at C, the third force namely the reaction at B must pass through C.

From triangle BOO’ angle BOO’ = 60o ( since 00’ = 150mm and B0 = 300mm,)
From triangle BCO, angle BCO = 30o

Consider the free body diagram of the point C

 Fy = 0 i.e. RB cos30 – 2000 = 0  RB = 2309N
 Fx = 0 i.e. 2309 sin30 - P = 0  P = 1155N

(b) Let P be applied at an angle  to the horizontal.

2000N

P P RB 30o P
θ 30o
θ O 2000N
O 90o
B 60o
2000N RB
RB
FBD of O Force Triangle
In this case, since P and the 2000N force meet at O, the reaction at B pass through
0(three force system in equilibrium)
Consider the force triangle. For P to be minimum, the angle between P and R B must
be 90o.
Pmini. = 2000 cos30 = 1732N and RB = 2000 sin30 = 1000N (from force triangle)

Example (20)
Determine the tension in the wires AB, BC and CD and also the inclination of the
segment CD to the vertical.

A A
30o D 30o
TAB D
B θ B
θ TCD
50o C 50o TBC
C
Consider the FBD20kN
of joint B 20kN
30kN 30kN
 Fx = 0 i.e. TABsin20 – 20sin50 = 0
 TAB = 44.8kN TAB
 Fy = 0 i.e. 44.8cos20 – 20cos50 - TBC = 0 y x
20o
 TBC = 29.24kN 29.24kN
TCD B
50o θ TBC
50o
Consider FBD of joint C C 20kN
30kN FBD of joint B
 Fx = 0 i.e. –29.24sin50 + TCDsin = 0
FBD of Joint C
TCD sin = 22.4 (1)
 Fy = 0 i.e 29.24cos50 + TCDcos - 30 = 0
TCDcos = 11.2 (2)
Tan  = (22.4/11.2)   = 63.43o and TCD = 25kN

Example (21)

A wire is fixed at two points A and D as shown in figure. Determine the angle  and
the tension in the various segments.

A A
30o D D
TAB
30o
60o o
B B θ 60 TCD
θ C TBC C
20kN
20kN
25kN 25kN
FBD of joint B TAB
30o
 Fx = 0 i.e. TABsin30 – TBCsin = 0
 TAB = 2TBCsin……….(1)
B
 Fy = 0 i.e -TBCcos - 20 + (2TBCsin) cos30 = 0 θ
 TBC(1.732sin - cos) = 20 ---------(2) 20kN TBC
FBD of joint B
FBD of joint C
 Fx = 0 i.e. TCDsin60 - TBCsin = 0 TCD
TBC
 TCD = 1.155TBCsin……….(3) θ 60o
 Fy = 0 i.e. TBCcos + ( 1.155TBCsin)cos60 – 25 = 0 C
 TBC(cos + 0.577sin) = 25………(4)
From equations (2) & (4) 25kN
cos + 0.577sin = 1.25 i.e 2.25cos = 1.588sin FBD of joint C

1.732sin - cos  = 54.79o From eqn. (4) TBC = 23.85kN;

From eqation(3) TCD =22.5kN

From eqn (1) TAB = 38.97kN