UNIT II

EQUILIBRIUM OF RIGID BODIES 12 Free body diagram – Types of supports –Action and reaction
forces –stable equilibrium – Moments and Couples – Moment of a force about a point and about an
axis – Vectorial representation of moments and couples – Scalar components of a moment –
Varignon’s theorem – Single equivalent force -Equilibrium of Rigid bodies in two dimensions –
Equilibrium of Rigid bodies in three dimensions

3.1. INTRODUCTION

In the previous chapter, we have been discussing the effects of forces, acting on a body, through
their lines of action or at the point of their intersection. But in this chapter, we shall discuss the
effects of these forces, at some other point, away from the point of intersection or their lines of
action.

3.2. MOMENT OF A FORCE

It is the turning effect produced by a force, on the body, on which it acts. The moment of a force is
equal to the product of the force and the perpendicular distance of the point, about which the
moment is required and the line of action of the force. Mathematically, moment,

M=P×l

where P = Force acting on the body, and

l = Perpendicular distance between the point, about which the moment is required and the line of
action of the force.

3.4. UNITS OF MOMENT

Since the moment of a force is the product of force and distance, therefore the units of the moment
will depend upon the units of force and distance. Thus, if the force is in Newton and the distance is
in meters, then the units of moment will be Newton-meter (briefly written as N-m). Similarly, the
units of moment may be kN-m (i.e. kN × m), N-mm (i.e. N × mm) etc.

3.5. TYPES OF MOMENTS

Broadly speaking, the moments are of the following two types:

1. Clockwise moments. 2. Anticlockwise moments.

It is the moment of a force, whose effect is to turn or rotate the body, about the point in the same
direction in which hands of a clock move

It is the moment of a force, whose effect is to turn or rotate the body, about the point in the
opposite direction in which the hands of a clock move as shown in Fig. 3.2 (b).
3.8. VARIGNON’S PRINCIPLE OF MOMENTS (OR LAW OF MOMENTS)

It states, “If a number of coplanar forces are acting simultaneously on a particle, the algebraic sum of
the moments of all the forces about any point is equal to the moment of their resultant force about
the same point.”

Example 3.1. A force of 15 N is applied perpendicular to the edge of a door 0.8 m wide as shown in
Fig. 3.3 (a). Find the moment of the force about the hinge. If this force is applied at an angle of 60° to
the edge of the same door, as shown in Fig. 3.3 (b), find the moment of this force.
3.9. APPLICATIONS OF MOMENTS

Though the moments have a number of applications, in the field of Engineering science, yet the
following are important from the subject point of view :

1. Position of the resultant force 2. Levers.

3.10. POSITION OF THE RESULTANT FORCE BY MOMENTS

It is also known as analytical method for the resultant force. The position of a resultant force may be
found out by moments as discussed below :

1. First of all, find out the magnitude and direction of the resultant force by the method of resolution
as discussed earlier in chapter ‘Composition and Resolution of Forces’.

2. Now equate the moment of the resultant force with the algebraic sum of moments of the given
system of forces about any point. This may also be found out by equating the sum of clockwise
moments and that of the anticlockwise moments about the point, through which the resultant force
will pass.

Example 3.5. Three forces of 2P, 3P and 4P act along the three sides of an equilateral triangle of side
100 mm taken in order. Find the magnitude and position of the resultant force.