MOMENT OF A FORCE

The moment of a force about an axis or line is the

measure of its ability to produce turning or twisting about
the axis.
The magnitude of the moment of a force about an axis
which is perpendicular to a plane containing the line of
action of the force is defined as the product of the force
and the perpendicular distance from the axis to the line
of action of the force.
That is: 𝑀𝑜 = 𝐹 𝑥 𝑑
where: F = force
d = perpendicular distance or the
moment arm
 MOMENT OF A FORCE
That is: 𝑀𝑜 = 𝐹 𝑥 𝑑
where: F = force
d = perpendicular distance or
the moment arm
 MOMENT OF A FORCE
The moment is equal to twice the area of the
triangle formed by joining the center of moment
with the ends of the force.

𝑀𝑜 = 𝐹 𝑥 𝑑
 PRINCIPLE OF TRANSMISSIBILITY
The effect of an external force on a rigid body
remains unchanged if that force is moved along
its line of action.
 PRINCIPLE OF MOMENTS:
VARIGNON’S THEOREM
The moment of a force is equivalent to the sum
of moments of its components.

R x d = Σ(F x d)
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 1
Assuming clockwise moments as positive,
compute the moment of force F = 450N and a
force P = 361N about points A, B and C.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 2
A force P passing through points A and B has a
clockwise moment of 300N-m about O.
Compute the value of P.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 3
In the figure below, a force F passing through C
causes a clockwise moment of 120N-m about A
and a clockwise moment of 70N-m about B.
Determine the force and its x-intercept 𝑖𝑥 .
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 4
The moment of a certain force F is 180N-m
clockwise about O and 90N-m counter-clockwise
about B. If its moment about A is zero,
determine the force.
 RESULTANT OF PARALLEL FORCES
Parallel forces – one in which the action lines od
all the forces are parallel.
𝑅𝑥 = Σ 𝐹𝑥
𝑅𝑦 = Σ 𝐹𝑦

𝑅= 𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2
𝑅𝑦
tan θ𝑥 = 𝑅𝑥
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 1
Determine the resultant of the parallel forces
system acting on the bar AB shown below.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 2
A parallel force system acts on the lever shown
below. Determine the magnitude and position of
the resultant.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 3
A beam of length L supports a load which varies
from w N/m at the right end to zero at the left
end. Determine the magnitude and position of
the resultant load.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 4
The beam AB supports a load which varies from
an intensity of 50N/m to 200N/m. Calculate the
magnitude and position of the resultant load.
 COUPLES
Couple – two parallel, non-collinear forces that
are equal in magnitude and opposite in
direction. It is a special case in which the
resultant has zero magnitude but does have a
moment. This moment sum is constant and
independent of the moment center.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 1
Determine the resultant of the parallel forces
shown below. Determine also the moments at
points A, B, C, D and E
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 2
Determine the resultant moment about point A
of the system of forces shown below. Each
square is 1m on a side.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 3
The cantilever truss shown carries a vertical load of 2400N. The
truss is supported by bearings at A and B which exert the forces
𝐴𝑣 , 𝐴ℎ and 𝐵ℎ . The four constitute two couples which must have
opposite moment effects to prevent movement of the truss.
Determine the magnitude of the supporting forces.
 RESOLUTION OF A FORCE INTO A
FORCE AND A COUPLE
It sometimes becomes necessary to replace a
force acting at a given point by an equal force
acting through some other point. This
introduces a couple.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 1
A short compression member carries eccentric
load P = 200N situated 0.2m from the axis of the
member. Determine the equivalent axial load
and a couple that is applied at the axis of the
member.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 2
Replace the system of forces acting on the frame
by a resultant R at A and a couple acting
horizontally through B and C.
RESULTANT OF NON-CONCURRENT
FORCE SYSTEMS
𝑅𝑥 = Σ 𝐹𝑥
𝑅𝑦 = Σ 𝐹𝑦

𝑅= 𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2
𝑅𝑦
tan θ𝑥 = 𝑅𝑥
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 1
The rectangular framework shown in the next slide is
subjected to the indicated non-concurrent system of
forces. Determine the magnitude and direction of the
resultant, also its moment arm relative to the origin O.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 2
In a certain non-concurrent force system, it is
found that Σ 𝐹𝑥 = -80N, Σ 𝐹𝑦 = +160N and Σ 𝑀𝑜 =
480N-m in a counter-clockwise sense.
Determine the point that which the resultant
intersects at X-axis.
 SAMPLE PROBLEM No. 3
Determine the resultant of the three forces
acting on the dam and locate its intersection
should occur within the middle third of the
base. Does it?