Force Systems in Space

Resultant of Three Mutually Perpendicular Forces

Magnitude of a force F in space:
𝐹= 𝐹𝑥 2 + 𝐹𝑦 2 + 𝐹𝑧 2
Components of a force F in space:
𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑥
𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑦
𝐹𝑧 = 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑧
Direction cosines:
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑥 =
𝐹
; 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑦 =
𝐹
; 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑧 = 𝐹
Proportion of components:
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹 𝐹
𝑥
=𝑦 = 𝑧𝑧= 𝑑
Moment of a force about an axis:
𝑀𝑥 = 𝑧𝐹𝑦 ± 𝑦𝐹𝑧 ; 𝑀𝑦 = 𝑧𝐹𝑥 ± 𝑥𝐹𝑧 ; 𝑀𝑧 = 𝑦𝐹𝑥 ± 𝑥𝐹𝑦
Resultant of Concurrent Force Systems in Space Equilibrium of Concurrent Space Forces

The resultant of all forces is zero:

Components of the resultant
෍ 𝐹𝑥 = 0; ෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 0; ෍ 𝐹𝑧 = 0
𝑅𝑥 = ෍ 𝐹𝑥 ; 𝑅𝑦 = ෍ 𝐹𝑦 ; 𝑅𝑧 = ෍ 𝐹𝑧
The sum of moment is zero:
Magnitude of the Resultant:
෍ 𝑀𝑥 = 0; ෍ 𝑀𝑦 = 0; ෍ 𝑀𝑧 = 0
𝑅= 𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2 + 𝑅𝑧 2
Problem 1:
Given are concurrent forces having the following magnitudes and passing
through the origin and the indicated points.
A = 300 lb @ (+3, -4, +6)
B = 400 lb @ (-2, +4, -5)
C = 200 lb @ (-4, +5, -3)
Determine the following:
a. magnitude of the resultant
b. its pointing
c. its direction cosines
Problem 2: A crate is supported by three cables as shown. (a) Determine the weight W
of the crate knowing that the tension in the cable AD is 924 lb, (b) Tension in cable
AB, (c) Tension in cable AC.

O
GROUP ACTIVITY
The horizontal boom OC, which is supported by a ball and socket joint and two cables,
carries the vertical force P = 8 kN. Neglect the weight of the boom. Compute the tension in
cables AD, CE and the reaction at point O.
 ANNOUNCEMENT !!!
What :2 ndLong Exam
When: September 29, 2017 @ 2:30 – 4:00 PM
Coverage: Force Systems in Space
Problem: The framework shown is composed of three members AB, AC and AD.
Points B and C are in the horizontal plane. Points C and D are in the same
vertical plane. At A, 1000lb force acts in a direction parallel to the x-axis.
Neglecting the weights of the members, determine the forces in AB, AC and AD.
Problem: The shear-leg derrick shown supports a vertical load of 2000lb applied
at A. Points B, C and D are in the same horizontal plane and A, O and D are in the
XY plane. Determine the force in each member of the derrick.
Problem: Determine the maximum safe vertical load W that can be
supported by the tripod shown without exceeding a compressive load
of 2400lb in any member.
Next Chapter:
Centroids and Center of Gravity,
Moments of Inertia