Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies

Sourav Saha

Lecturer
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
Email address: ssaha09@me.buet.ac.bd
Website: https://ssaha09.buet.ac.bd
Find me in: Google Scholar, ResearchGate

21 March, 2017

Sourav Saha (Dept. of Mech Engg.) ME 165: Basic Mechanical Engineering 21 March, 2017 1 / 18
 Equilibrium of Rigid Body Fundamentals

Conditions for Equilibrium

The necessary and sufficient condition for equilibrium of rigid body is

given by
ΣF~ = 0, ΣM ~ = Σ(~r × F~ ) = 0 (1)
This means,

From the equations it is apparent that in two dimension we can get

maximum three equations and solve for three unknowns. Known forces
are generally the weight of the body and force applied with a purpose.
Unknowns forces include Reactions at the support and forces at the
point of connection with other bodies.

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 Equilibrium of Rigid Body Fundamentals

Drawing Free Body Diagrams

1
Courtesy: Mr. Adnan Morshed, Lecturer, ME, BUET
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 Equilibrium of Rigid Body Fundamentals

Reaction Forces at the Supports

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 Equilibrium of Rigid Body Fundamentals

Reaction Forces at the Supports: Practical Instances

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 Equilibrium of Rigid Body Fundamentals

How an Idealized Model is Constructed

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 Equilibrium in 2D

Example Problem 1

The homogeneous plate of 250 kg is supported by pin at A and a roller at

C. Determine the Reaction forces at the supports.

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 Equilibrium in 2D

Example Problem 2

Neglecting friction and the radius of the pulley, determine (a) the tension
in cable ADB, (b) the reaction at C.

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 Equilibrium in 2D

Example Problem 3
The 210-kg homogeneous log is supported by a rope at A and loose-fitting
rollers at B and C as it is being fed into a sawmill. Calculate the tension in
the rope and the reactions at the rollers, using the given FBD. Which
rollers are in contact with the log?

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 Equilibrium in 2D

Configuration Simplification
Two-force Members
if a two-force body is in equilibrium, the two forces must have the same
magnitude, the same line of action, and opposite sense.

Three-force Members
if a three-force body is in equilibrium, the lines of action of the three forces
must be either concurrent or parallel.

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 Equilibrium in 2D

Class Problem

A man raises a 10-kg joist, of length 4 m, by pulling on a rope. Find

the tension T in the rope and the reaction at A.

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 Equilibrium in 3D

Support Reactions in 3D

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 Equilibrium in 3D

Support Reactions in 3D

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 Equilibrium in 3D

Example Problem 1

Determine the components of reaction that the ball-and-socket joint at A,

the smooth journal bearing at B, and the roller support at C exert on the
rod assembly in the following figure.

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 Equilibrium in 3D

Example Problem 2

Rod AB shown in the figure is subjected to the 200-N force. Determine the
reactions at the ball-and-socket joint A and the tension in the cables BD
and BE.

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 Equilibrium in 3D

Example Problem 3

A 2.4-m boom is held by a ball-and-socket joint at C and by two cables AD

and AE. Determine the tension in each cable and the reaction at C.

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 Equilibrium in 3D

Practice Problems
1 The frame ACD is supported by ball-and-socket joints at A and D and by a cable
that passes through a ring at B and is attached to hooks at G and H. Knowing
that the frame supports at point C a load of magnitude P = 268 N, (a) determine
the tension in the cable. (b) Assuming the cable GBH is replaced by a cable GB
attached at G and B, determine the tension in the cable.(see Fig 1)
2 The rigid L-shaped member ABC is supported by a ball-and-socket joint at A and
by three cables. If a 1.8 kN load is applied at F, determine the tension in each cable.
(see Fig 2)

Figure: Fig 1 Figure: Fig 2

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 Equilibrium in 3D

The End

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