Chapter III
EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCE SYSTEMS
3.5 Equilibrium of Parallel Forces
The conditions for equilibrium of parallel
force systems are determined from the
conditions necessary to create a zero resultant.
In Art. 2-6 we found that the resultant of parallel
force systems is determined by the equations
𝑅 = 𝛴𝐹
𝑅 ∙ 𝑑 = 𝛴𝑀
Since equilibrium means a zero resultant,
we conclude that the independent equations of
equilibrium are
𝜮𝑭 = 𝟎
Equation (3-4)
𝜮𝑴 = 𝟎
from which only two unknowns may be
determined to hold a parallel force system in
equilibrium.
𝜮𝑴𝑨 = 𝟎 Equation (3-4a)
𝜮𝑴𝑩 = 𝟎
where the moment centres A and B connect a
line that is not parallel to the forces. The use of
Eq. (3-4) is usually preferred; the condition XF - 0
is reserved for a check. This technique is
illustrated in the following problems.
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEMS
330 A beam simply supported at the ends,
carries a concentrated load of 300 lb and a
uniformly distributed load weighing 100 lb per
linear foot, as shown in Fig 3-15. Determine the
beam reactions.
Solution
To begin with, the uniformly distributed
load is equivalent to a resultant of 6 x 100 600 lb
acting at the centre of gravity of the uniform
load diagram This resultant is represented by the
dotted-line vector of 600 lb. The original loading
produces the same reactions as the equivalent
two concentrated loads.
R1 is found by taking moments about a
point on the line of action of R2, thereby
eliminating R2 from the moment equation.
𝛴𝑀𝐵 = 0 10𝑅1 − 300(8) − 600(3) = 0
𝑹𝟏 = 𝟒𝟐𝟎 𝒍𝒃 𝒖𝒑
Similarly, R2 is found by a moment sum about a
point on the action line of R1. The result in
𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0 10𝑅2 − 600(7) − 300(2) = 0
𝑹𝟏 = 𝟒𝟖𝟎 𝒍𝒃 𝒖𝒑
3.6 Equilibrium of Non-Concurrent Force Systems
In Art. 2-9 it was demonstrated that the
resultant of a non-concurrent force system could
be determined from the components ΣX, ΣY, and
ΣM. The resultant will therefore equal zero, and
hence equilibrium will kill only when
𝜮𝑿 = 𝟎 Equation (3-5)
𝜮𝒀 = 𝟎
𝜮𝑴 = 𝟎
𝜮𝑿 = 𝟎
𝜮𝑴𝑩 = 𝟎
𝜮𝑴𝑨 = 𝟎
𝜮𝑴𝑨 = 𝟎
𝜮𝑴𝑩 = 𝟎
𝜮𝑴𝑪 = 𝟎
The second and third sets of the
equilibrium equations are obtained by replacing
a force summation by an equivalent moment
summation. The moment centers may be
chosen anywhere provided that a line joining
and B is not perpendicular to the X axis, and that
A, B, and to not lie on the same straight line.
(Explain these exceptions hy reviewing Art. 3-4.)
In applying the moment summations it is best
(whenever possible) to select the moment
center at the intersection of two of the unknown,
thereby eliminating these unknowns from the
moment summation. This technique is illustrated
in the following sample problems.
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEMS
344 The roof truss shown in Fig. 3-17 supported on
rollers at A and hinged B. The wind loads are
perpendicular to the inclined members.
Determine the components of the reactions at A
and B.
Solution
The roller at constrains the reaction to be
vertical. The reaction at B is resolved into its
components BV and BH as shown in Fig. 3-17b.
These three unknown quantities are determined
by applying the equations of equilibrium. To
simplify computations, the symmetrical deud
loads have been replaced by their resultant or
600 lb. The 400-lb resultant of the wind loads bas
been resolved into its components acting at C.
Its vertical component is 400 cosθ = 320 lb, and
its horizontal component is 400 sinθ = 240 lb,
since from the soul 3-4-5 triangle the functions of
θ are sin θ = 3/5 and cosθ = 4/5. Referring to Fig.
3-17b, we now obtain BH from horizontal
summation which thereby eliminates AV and BV.
𝛴𝑋 = 0 240 − 𝐵𝐻 = 0
𝑩𝑯 = 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝒍𝒃 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕
A moment summation about A eliminate
AV and BV and solves directly for BV as follows
𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0
−80𝐵𝑣 + 600(40) + 320(20) + 240(15) = 0
𝑩𝒗 = 𝟒𝟐𝟓 𝒍𝒃 𝒖𝒑
Finally AV is determined from a moment
summation about B which, by eliminating BV and
BH, gives a result which is independent of the
reaction at B.
𝛴𝑀𝐵 = 0
80𝐴𝑣 + 240(15) − 320(60) − 600(40) = 0
𝑨𝒗 = 𝟒𝟗𝟓 𝒍𝒃 𝒖𝒑
346 Determine the load P required to hold bar
AB in a horizontal position on the smooth incline
shown in Fig. 3-18. Also determine the reactions
at A and B.
Solution
Applying the conditions of equilibrium
𝛴𝑋 = 0, 𝛴𝑋 = 0, 𝛴𝑀𝐴 = 0 provides a solution which
is quite cumbersome since it leads to a set of
three simultaneous equations.relating the three
unknowns. A much simpler solution is obtained
by choosing a moment center which eliminates
two of the unknowns. This center O, lying at the
intersection of RA and Ra, is easily located
geometrically Fig. 3-19a by applying the sine law
to triangle AOB:
20 𝐴𝑂 𝑂𝐵
= =
sin 105° sin 45° sin 30°
whence AO = 14.62 ft and OB = 10.34 ft. Then AD
= AO cos30° = 12.68 ft and DB = OB cos45° = 7.32
ft whence the moment arms of P and the 400 lb
load with respect to 0 are 8.68 ft and 5.32 ft as
shown in Fig. 3-19.
𝛴𝑀𝑜 = 0 8.68𝑃 − 400(5.32) = 0
𝑷 = 𝟐𝟒𝟓 𝒍𝒃
 This value of P is used to obtain the force
polygon shown in Fig. 3-19b to which the sine
law is applied to give

645 𝑅𝐴 𝑅𝐵
= =
sin 75° sin 45° sin 60°

whence
𝑹𝑨 = 𝟒𝟕𝟐 𝒍𝒃 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑹𝑩 = 𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝒍𝒃