CHAPTER 1

Principles of Statics
Learning objectives:
1. To provide an introduction to the basic quantities and idealization of
mechanics.
2. To give a statement of Newton’s Law of Motion and Gravitation.
3. To review the principles for applying the SI system of units.
4. To examine the standard procedures for performing numerical
calculations.
5. To present s general guide for solving problems.

Introduction

Historical development
The subject of statics developed very early in history because its principles
can be formulated simply from measurements of geometry and force. For
example, the writings of Archimedes (287 -212 B.C.) deal with the principle of the
lever. Studies of pulley, inclined plane, and wrench are also recorded in ancient
writings – at times when the requirements for engineering were limited primarily to
building construction.
Since the principles of dynamics depend on an accurate measurement of
time, this subject developed much later. Galileo Galilei (1564 – 1642) was one of
the first major contributors to this field. His work consisted of experiments using
pendulums and falling bodies. The most significant contributions in dynamics,
however, were made by Isaac Newton (1642 – 1727), who is noted for his
formulation of the three fundamental laws of motion and law of universal
gravitational attraction. Shortly, after these laws were postulated, important
techniques for their application were developed by such notables as Euler, D’
Alembert Lagrange, and others.

Basic Quantities
The following four quantities are used throughout mechanics:
Length is used to locate the position of a point in space and thereby describe the
size of a physical system. Once a standard unit of length is defined, one can then
use it to define distances and geometric properties of a body as multiples of this
unit.
Time is conceived as a succession of events. Although the principles of statics are
time independent, this quantity plays an important role in the study of dynamics.

Mass is measure of a quantity of matter that is used to compare the action of one
body with that of another. This property manifests itself as a gravitational
attraction between two bodies and provides a measure of the resistance of
matter to change in velocity.

Force is considered as a “push” or “pull” exerted by one body on another. This

interaction can occur when there is direct contact between the bodies, such as
a person pushing on a wall, or it can occur through a distance when the bodies
are physically separated. Examples of the latter type include gravitational,
electrical, and magnetic forces. In any case, a force is completely characterized
by its magnitude, direction, and point of application.

Engineering is defined as the profession in which the knowledge of

mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, practice, and
experience is applied with judgment in order to develop ways to utilize
economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.
Mechanics is a study of forces. It is a science that deals with the action of
forces on bodies and describes or predicts the conditions of rest or motion of
bodies acted upon by forces.
Engineering mechanics may be defined as the science which considers the
effects of forces on rigid bodies.
- is a branch of mechanics that deals with study of forces in relation to
problems with engineering applications.
Other branches of mechanics not directly related to engineering but are of
interest, for example to astronomers and scientist, include celestial and
quantum mechanics.
Celestial mechanics is a study of motions of heavenly bodies such as planets,
satellites, and stars, moving in gravitational fields of forces.
Quantum mechanics is a branch of mathematical physics that deals with the
motion of electron, protons, neutrons, and other subatomic particles.
Engineering mechanics has two main branches:
1. Solid mechanics – depending upon the quantity of interest to the
engineer, bodies are treated separately as either rigid or deformable.
2. Fluid mechanics – is study of gases and liquid at rest or in motion. Fluid
are treated either is ideal, viscous, or compressible.
Engineering mechanics has divided into two:
1. Statics - is a branch of solids mechanics dealing with rigid solids that are
or remain at rest.
2. Dynamics – is considering the motion of rigid bodies caused by the
forces acting upon them.
The Dynamics is divided into two branches
1. Kinetics - is concerned with the motion of bodies and the forces causing
such motion. It relates the motion to the applied forces.
2. Kinematics – is concerned with the motion of the bodies without the
reference to cause. It deals with the pure motion of rigid bodies.
 Strength of materials – A branch of mechanics that deals with deformable,
which is a subsequent course in the engineering curriculum after statics and
dynamics.
Hydrostatics is a study of forces caused by water at rest.
Hydrodynamics is a study of forces caused by water in motion.
Soil mechanics deals with a natural material that is either solid or fluid and has
a vast range of engineering applications.

Forces Concepts and Definitions

Rigid Body is defined as a definite amount of matter the parts of which are
fixed in position relative to each other. Actually, solid bodies are never rigid;
they deform under the action of applied forces. In many cases, this
deformation is negligible compared to the size of the body and the body may
be assumed rigid
Force is defined as an action of one body upon another. While it is generally
a result of a direct contact of one body upon another it can also arise, in one
instance, from magnetic and gravitational attraction between two or more
separate bodies. This definition applies to the external effect of a force. The
internal effect of a force is to produce stress and deformation in the body on
which the force acts, External effects of forces are considered in engineering
mechanics; internal effects, in strength of materials.
A force has three important characteristics:
1. Magnitude
2. Position or point of application
3. Sense of direction
In SI Units, the magnitude of a force is expressed in Newton (N), or its multiples
kiloNewton (kN), megaNewton (MN), etc. In English units, the magnitude is
expressed in pound (lb) or kip (k). (A kip is 1000 lbs.) The magnitude of a force
is represented by drawing a line, the length of the line indicating the
magnitude, with arrowhead that indicates the direction of forces.
The position of the force is required to describe its point of application referred
to some reference point or axis through which force acts.
The direction of a force describes the sense in which the force acts along its
line of action.
Principle of transmissibility of a force states that the external effect of a force
on a body acted upon is independent of the point of application of the force
but is the same for all points of application along its line of action.
Unit of a force commonly used in the Unites States is the pound, or multiples
of the pound such as the kip (1000 lbs) or ton (2000 lbs).

Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

 Engineering mechanics is formulated on the basis of Newton’s three Laws
of Motion, the validity of which is based on experimental observation. These
laws apply to the motion of a particle as measured from a nonaccelerating
reference frame. They may be briefly stated as follows.
First Law. A particle originally at rest, or moving in a straight line with
constant velocity, tends to remain in this state provided the particle
is not subjected to an unbalanced force.

Second Law. A particle acted upon by an

unbalanced force F experience an acceleration a that has
the same direction as the force and a magnitude that is
directly proportional to the force. If F is applied to a particle
of mass m, this law may be expressed mathematically as

Third Law. The mutual forces of action and reaction between

two particles are equal, opposite, and collinear.

Newton’s Law of Gravitational Attraction: Shortly after formulating his three laws of
motion, Newton postulated a law governing the gravitational attraction between
any two particles. State mathematically,

where F = force of gravitational between the two particles

G = universal constant of gravitation; according to experimental
evidence, G = 66.73 (10-12) m3/kg – s2
m1.m2 = mass of each of the two particles
r = distance between the two particles

Weight. According to the previous equation, any two particles or bodies have a
mutual attractive (gravitational) force acting between them. In the case of a
particle located at or near the surface of the earth, however, the only
gravitational force having any sizable magnitude is that between the earth and
the particle. Consequently, this force, termed the weight, will be the only
gravitational force considered in our study of mechanics.
From the equation we can develop an approximate expression for finding
the weight W of a particle having a mass m1 = m. If we assume the earth to be
nonrotating sphere of constant density and having a mass m2 = Me, the, if r is the
distance between the earth’s center and the particle, we have
Numerical Calculations
Dimension Homogeneity. The terms of any equation used to describe a physical
process must be dimensionally homogeneous; that us, each term must be
expressed in the same units. Provided that is the case, all the terms of an equation
can then be combined if numerical values are substituted for the variables.
Significant Figures. The number of significant figures contained in any number
determines the accuracy of the number.
Rounding off numbers. Rounding off a number is necessary so that the accuracy
of the result will be the same as that of the problem data. As a general rule, any
numerical figure ending in five or greater is rounded up and a number less than
five is rounded down.
Calculations. When a sequence of calculation is performed, it is best to store the
intermediate results in the calculator. In other words, do not round off calculations
until expressing the final result. This procedure maintains precision throughout the
series of steps to the final solution.

Conversion of Units:
Examples:
1. Convert 2 km/h to m/s. How many ft/s is this? Ans. 0.556 m/s and 1.82 ft/s
2. Covert the quantities 300 lb – s and 52 slug/ft3 to appropriate SI units. Ans.
1.33 kN – s and 26.8 Mg/m3

Classification of forces
Forces are classified in a number of ways. They can be either applied or
induced depending on the agent causing them. They can either be man-made
or they can result from natural causes. Forces are classified in accordance with
the nature of concentration, how they are applied, and the effects on the bodies
acted upon. With regard to the nature of concentration, forces can be
concentrated or distributed.

External & Internal Effects of Forces

External effect is manifested in, or a tendency to change, the state of motion
of the body upon which the force acts.
Internal effect of a force is to produce stresses and strains within the body
acted upon. A simple tensile force applied on the body causes that the body
to stretch (or elongate) while a compressive force causes the body to shorten
(or contract).
Force Systems
A force system is any arrangement where two or more forces act on body or
on a group of related bodies. It is a set of two or more coplanar or spatial
forces (and force couples), that may or may not be in equilibrium. Coplanar
is when the lines of action of all the forces in a force system lie in one plane,
otherwise they are non – coplanar.
Coplanar system is obviously simpler than non- coplanar system since all the
action lines of the forces lie in the same plane.
The force systems are further classified according to their lines of action.
a. Forces whose lines of action pass through a common point are called
concurrent.
b. Forces whose lines of action are parallel force systems.
c. Forces whose lines of action neither are parallel nor intersect in a common
point are non-concurrent system. Forces may intersect but not at a
common point.
A special type of a force system is what referred to as a couple. A force
couple, or simply couple, is a term used to describe a force system consisting of
a pair of equal, coplanar, oppositely directed parallel forces, but are not
collinear.
A resultant of a force system is a single force, or a couple, which acting alone
will produce the same effect as the force system. The process of determining the
resultant of a force system is referred to as a composition of forces.
The equilibrant of a force system is a single force, or a force couple, which if
and when added to the force system will balance or neutralize the system.
Equilibrium is a condition when the resultant of the force system is equal to
zero.

Axiom of mechanics
a. The parallelogram law. The resultant of two forces is the diagonal of the
parallelogram formed on the vectors of these forces.
b. Two forces are in equilibrium only when equal in magnitude, opposite in
direction, and collinear in action
c. A set of forces in equilibrium may be added to any system of forces without
changing the effect of the original system.
d. Action and reaction forces are equal but oppositely directed.

Introduction to Free-Body Diagram

Free body diagram (FBD) – a sketch of the isolated body which shows only
the forces acting upon the body.
CHAPTER 2
Force Vectors
Learning Objectives
1. To show how to add forces and resolve them into components using the
Parallelogram Law.
2. To express force and position in Cartesian vector form and explain how to
determine the vector’s magnitude and direction.
3. To introduce the dot product in order to determine the angle between two
vectors or the projection of one vector onto another.

Scalar and Vector

All physical quantities in engineering mechanics are measured using either scalar
or vectors.
Scalar. It is any positive or negative physical quantity that can be completely
specified by its magnitude. Examples of this are length, mass, and time.
Vector. It is any physical quantity that requires both a magnitude and a direction
for its complete description. Examples of this encountered in statics are force,
position, and moment.

Components of a Force; Resolution of Forces

The components of a force are essentially the vectorial parts of a force that
act in certain directions in a plane or in space which together produce the same
effect as the force itself. A single force is the resultant of its components. The
process of determining the components of a force is referred to as resolution.
The two components of a force that are perpendicular to each other are
called rectangular components
Components of a force that are not perpendicular to each other are referred
to as oblique components.
The resolution of a force is the replacement of a single force by a several
components which will be equivalent in action to the given force is called
resolution of a force. It can be done either graphically or analytically. The
graphical method involves the process of drawing a straight line to some scale to
represent the force and the desired number of components can be drawn as a
series of straight lines in arbitrary directions starting from the tail of the force and
ending at its tip. The analytical method can either be algebraic or trigonometric.
Algebraic calculations can easily facilitated by the use of force multiplier (Fm),
especially when rectangular components are involved. Trigonometric functions
become convenient where oblique components are involved.
Vector Operations
Multiplication and Division of a Vector by a Scalar. If a vectors is multiplied by a
positive scalar, its magnitude is increased by that amount. When multiplied by a
negative scalar, it will also change the directional sense of the vector.
Vector Addition. All vector quantities obey the parallelogram law of addition.

A triangle rule is also used as a special case of the parallelogram law.

As a special case, if the two vectors A and B are collinear, i.e., both have the
same line of action, the parallelogram law reduces to an algebraic or scalar
addition R = A + B, as shown in the fugure.
Example:
1. The screw eye in the figure is subjected to two forces F1 and F2. Determine
the magnitude and direction of the resultant force.
2. Resolve the horizontal 600 –lb force in the figure into components acting
along the u and v axes and determine the magnitudes of these
components.
3. Determine the magnitude of the component force F in the figure and the
magnitude of the resulting force FR if FR is directed along the positive y axis.
 Supplementary Problems:
1. For the force in figure 1, determine the rectangular components in the u
and v directions if  = 20 degrees.
2. Force P = 10kN is acting at a given angle of 60 deg from the x axis.
3. A block shown in figure 3 is resting on an incline of slope 5:12. It is subjected
to a force F = 200 kN on a slope 3:4. Determine the rectangular components
of the force in (a) the horizontal and vertical directions, and (b) in the
direction parallel and perpendicular to the incline.
4. For the force system shown in figure 4, determine the horizontal and vertical
components of each force.

Addition of a System of Coplanar Forces. When a force is resolved into two

components along the x and y axes, the components are then called rectangular
components. For analytical work, we can present these componets in one of two
ways, using either scalar notation of Cartesian vector notation.
Scalar Notation
The rectangular components of force F shown in the Figure are found
using the parallelogram law, so that F = Fx + Fy. Because these
components form a right triangle, their magnitudes can be determined
from
Fx = F cosθ and Fy = F sinθ
Instead of using the angle θ, however, the direction of F can be defined
using a small “slope” triangle, such as shown in the figure. Since this
triangle and the larger shaded triangle are similar, the proportional length
of the sides gives
 𝑭𝒙 𝒂 𝒂
= ; 𝑭𝒚 = −𝑭
𝑭 𝒄 𝒄

Cartesian Vector Notation. It is also possible to represent the x

and y component of a force in terms of Cartesian unit vectors
i and j. Each of these unit vectors has a dimensionless
magnitude of one, and so they can be used to designate the
directions of the x and y axes, respectively.
Since the magnitude of each component of F is always a
positive quantity, which is represented by the (positive)
scalars Fx and Fy, then we can express F as a Cartesian vector.
𝑭 = 𝑭𝒙 𝒊 + 𝑭𝒚 𝒋
Coplanar Force Resultants. We can use either of the two methods just described
to determine the resultant of several coplanar forces. To do this, each force is first
resolved into its x and y components and then the respective components are
added using the scalar algebra since they are collinear. The resultant force is then
formed by adding the resultant components using then parallelogram law. For
example:
𝑭𝟏 = 𝑭𝟏𝒙 𝒊 + 𝑭𝟏𝒚 𝒋
𝑭𝟐 = −𝑭𝟐𝒙 𝒊 + 𝑭𝟐𝒚 𝒋
𝑭𝟑 = 𝑭𝟑𝒙 𝒊 − 𝑭𝟑𝒚 𝒋
The vector resultant therefore
𝑭𝑹 = 𝑭𝟏 + 𝑭𝟐 + 𝑭𝟑
= 𝑭𝟏𝒙 𝒊 + 𝑭𝟏𝒚 𝒋−𝑭𝟐𝒙 𝒊 + 𝑭𝟐𝒚 𝒋 + 𝑭𝟑𝒙 𝒊 − 𝑭𝟑𝒚 𝒋
= (𝑭𝟏𝒙 𝒊−𝑭𝟐𝒙 𝒊 + 𝑭𝟑𝒙 𝒊) + (𝑭𝟏𝒚 𝒋 + 𝑭𝟐𝒚 𝒋 − 𝑭𝟑𝒚 𝒋)
𝑭𝑹 = (𝑭𝑹𝒙 )𝒊 + (𝑭𝑹𝒚 )𝒊
If scalar notation is used, then we have
+ 𝑭𝑹𝒙 = 𝑭𝟏𝒙 −𝑭𝟐𝒙 + 𝑭𝟑𝒙 + 𝑭𝑹𝒚 = 𝑭𝟏𝒚 +𝑭𝟐𝒚 − 𝑭𝟑𝒚
𝐹𝑅𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑅𝑦 = ∑ 𝐹𝑦

𝐹𝑅 = √𝐹𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝐹𝑅𝑦 2

𝐹𝑅𝑦
𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 | |
𝐹𝑅𝑥

Examples:
1. Determine the x and y components of F1 and F2 acting on then boom
shown in the figure. Express each force as a Cartesian vector.
2. The link in the figure is subjected to two forces F1 and F2. Determine the
magnitude and direction of the resultant force.
 3. The end of the boom O in the figure is subjected to three concurrent and
coplanar forces. Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant
force.

Cartesian Vectors
The operations of vector algebra, when applied to solving
problems in three dimensions, are greatly simplified if the vectors
are first represented in Cartesian vector form.
Right-handed Coordinate System
We will use a right-handed coordinate system to develop the
theory of vector algebra that follows. A rectangular coordinate
system is said to be reight-handed if the thumb of the right hand
points in the direction of the positive z – axis when the right hand
fingers are curled about the axis and directed from the positive x
towards the positive y axis.

Rectangular components of a Vector. A vector A may have one, two,

or three rectangular components along the x, y, z coordinate axes,
depending on how the vector is oriented to the axes. In general,
though, when A is directed within an octant of the x, y , z frame.

𝑨 = 𝑨𝒙 + 𝑨𝒚 + 𝑨𝒛
Cartesian Vector Representation. Since the three components of A in
the positive i, j, and k directions. We can write A in Cartesian vector
form as
𝑨 = 𝑨𝒙 𝒊 + 𝑨𝒚 𝒋 + 𝑨𝒛 𝒌

Magnitude of Cartesian Vector. It is always possible to obtain the

magnitude of A provided it is expressed in Cartesian vector form.
 𝑨 = √𝑨𝒙 𝟐 +𝑨𝒚 𝟐 +𝑨𝒛 𝟐
Direction of Cartesian Vector. It is always possible to obtain
the magnitude of A provided it is expressed in Cartesian
vector form.

1-8 MOMENT OF A FORCE

The moment of a force is the product of the force and the perpendicular distance
of its line of action to a reference point or axis. It can be imagined as the turning
effect of the force about the point or axis. The turning effect can be described as
either clockwise or counterclockwise. The reference point about which the
moment is taken is called the moment center while the axis about which the
moment is taken is called the moment axis.

Since moment is a vector quantity it has to have a

direction in order to completely define its
characteristics. The direction of the moment is
perpendicular to the plane containing the force and
its perpendicular distance to the moment center or
axis. The direction also follows the right-hand rule similar
to the couple. By curling the fingers of the right hand
about the moment center or axis, the curved fingers of
the right hand indicate the turning effect of the force
and the extended right thumb is the direction of the
moment. The plane containing the curved finger and the direction of the moment
are taken to be mutually perpendicular.
Illustration. Determine the moment of P (a) with respect to the origin;
(b) bout x-axis; (c) bout y-axis; (d) bout z – axis.

Examples
1. If a point in figure 1 has coordinates (4, 2) determine the
moment force P about another point E having coordinates (9,
17).
2. For the force system shown in figure 2 determine (a) determine
the moment of the force system about point B (10, -10) if the
coordinates are in meters.
3. For the force system shown in figure 3, determine the (a) magnitude and
direction of the moment of the 240-N force about A; (b) magnitude and
direction of the moment of the 85-N force about A; (c) magnitude and
direction of the 125-N force about E; (d) magnitude and direction of the
moment of all forces about B.
CHAPTER 3
RESULTANTS OF FORCE SYSTEMS

2.1 Introduction
A boat is to be pulled onto the shore
using three ropes as shown in Fig.
2.1.1(a). If forces F1, F2 and F3 are
applied at each end of the rope, the
boat moves at a certain speed and
direction. Can the three ropes be
replaced by a single rope and a single
force R applied at a certain orientation as shown in Fig. 2.1.1(b) such that the boat
moves at the same speed and direction as when it was, pulled by the three
forces?

Consider now a footbridge and let two persons of

weights W, and W2 stand at specified, locations of
the bridge as shown in Fig. 2.1.2(a). Due to the
weights W1 and W2, reactions R1 and R2 at the
supports will be induced. If only one person will
stand on the bridge, what should be his weight W
and where should he stand such that the reactions at the supports remain the
same as when there were two persons?

In the two examples given, the problem is that of finding the resultant of force
systems. The resultant of a force system is the simplest force system which
produces the same external effect on the body as the original force system. The
external effect produced by the forces on the block in the first example is the
motion of the boat, while in the second example; the external effects are the
reactions at the supports of the bridge. Similar to the force or its components, the
resultant has three characteristics: (a) magnitude, (b) direction or sense, and (c)
line of action. If these three characteristics are known, then the resultant is
completely determined.
It should be noted that since the resultant has the same effect as the original force
system on a body acted upon, the body moves in the direction of the resultant.
The process of determining the resultant of force system is called composition of
forces.

2.2 Resultants of Coplanar Force Systems

Since a single force is the resultant of its components, it can be stated that
composition of forces is a reverse process of resolution discussed in the previous
chapter, except that this time the components of the resultant comprise the given
force system and are no longer arbitrary in both magnitude and direction. As a
reverse process, composition of forces can also be done either graphically or
analytically. Likewise, analytical methods of composition of forces can either be
algebraic or trigonometric.

The determination of the resultant of a force system having two forces only can
readily be done by the parallelogram method or by the triangle method. The
composition of three or more forces can be done by the successive application
of the parallelogram or the triangle method, a process otherwise known as the
polygon method.

In the parallelogram method, the two forces are drawn tail-to-tail to their given
magnitudes and directions to form the sides of a parallelogram. The diagonal
from the comer where the forces intersect to the opposite corner of the
parallelogram represents the resultant of the two forces.

In the triangle method, the two forces are drawn tip-to-tail, regardless of the order
in which they are laid, and the line drawn from the tail of the first force to the tip
of the second force defines the direction and magnitude of the resultant. Again,
if the forces are drawn to scale in both magnitude and, direction, the
characteristics of the resultant can be obtained similarly. Otherwise, analytical
calculations involving trigonometric functions will, have to be utilized.

The polygon method, seldom used except when composition of forces is done
graphically, begins with the construction of either a parallelogram or a triangle of
the first two forces. The third force is added to the resultant, obtained from the
earlier composition, to form the next parallelogram or triangle of forces. The
process is repeated until all forces of the system are included in the process of
composition. The desired quantities evolving from the process can be obtained
either by graphical or analytical techniques. Since it is apparent that the
determination of the resultant involving three or more forces becomes tedious,
analytical methods become more useful.

Consider a system of coplanar forces lying on, say, the x-y plane. The resultant of
a coplanar force system involving three or more forces can be systematically
obtained, in general, algebraically using three equations: two of which involve
summation of forces along two arbitrarily chosen mutually perpendicular
directions, usually horizontal and vertical (or x- and y-) directions and the third
involving summation of moments. These equations may be written as:
Where ∑Fx, ∑Fy, = algebraic sums of the x and y components,
respectively, of the forces of the system based on an assumed sign
convention (e.g. F is positive to the right and Fy is positive upward)
O = any moment center in the plane
d = perpendicular distance from the moment center 0 to the
resultant R
Rd = moment of R with respect to 0
∑Mo = algebraic sum of the moments of the forces of the system about 0 based
on an assumed sign convention (e.g., moment is positive if clockwise)

Generally, the two equations involving summation of forces are used to obtain
the magnitude, direction and sense of the resultant, while the third equation
involving summation of moments is used to obtain the location of the line of
action of the resultant. Depending on whether the force system is concurrent,
parallel of non-concurrent, nonparallel, some of the equations may result to zero.

A. Concurrent force system

In a concurrent coplanar force system, all forces pass through a common
point of concurrence. Therefore, if we take the point of concurrence as
the moment center 0, then ∑Mo = 0. This implies that the line of action of the
resultant of a concurrent force system passes through the point of
concurrence. Only the first two equations, Rx = ∑Fx and Ry = ∑Fx are needed
to determine the resultant of a concurrent force system. The magnitude of
the resultant is obtained algebraically as follows:
where 0 = angle that the resultant R makes with the x axis.
Examples
1. Determine the magnitude and direction of the
resultant of the force system shown in figure 1.
2. R is the resultant of four forces P. T, F and Q acting
on a body, only the first three of which are shown
in figure 2. Find the fourth force Q.
3. Compute the values of force T and its direction 0
of the force system shown in figure 3 if the force
system has a resultant of 500 N pointing leftward along the x-axis.
 4. In figure, a force F passing through C causes a clockwise moment of 120 ft-
lb about A and a clockwise moment of 70 ft-lb
about B. Determine the force and its x intercept 𝑖𝑥 .

Assignment 2. Engineering mechanics by singer. Page 24.

#s 223 & 224.
Plate No. 2. Engineering mechanics by singer. Page 22- 24.
#s 217, 220, and 221.

B. Parallel force system

Parallel force system is one in which the action lines of all the forces are parallel.
The resultant of such system is determined when it is known in magnitude,
direction and position. One of the outstanding differences between a concurrent
and a parallel force system is that in the former the position of the resultant is
known by inspection whereas in the latter it is not.
Depending upon the system, the resultant of a coplanar parallel force system
may be a (a) force, (b) a couple, or
(c) zero.
𝑅 = ∑𝐹

𝑅𝑑 = ∑ 𝑀𝑜
(a) Resultant is a force
Varignon Theorem states that the moment of the resultant force R about any
moment center or axis is equal to the algebraic sum of the moment s of its
component.
(b) Resultant is a couple
If R = ∑Fy = 0 and ∑M0 ≠ 0 then the resultant of the system is a couple. The
direction of the couple may be clockwise or counter clockwise.
(b) Resultant is zero
If R = ∑Fy = 0 arid either ∑M0 = 0 then the resultant is zero and the system is said to
be in equilibrium.

Characteristics of a couple
 Two forces that are equal in magnitude, parallel to each other and not
collinear and opposite in sense are called couple.
The external effects produced by a couple depend on its characteristics:
 a. Magnitude of the couple, - Fd, where F is the magnitude of the two equal
parallel forces and d referred as the arm of the couple, is the distance
between the two parallel forces.
b. Sense of the couple which may be clockwise or counterclockwise for a
two dimensional forces system.
c. Orientation of the plane of the couple, which is the x-y plane for the two
dimensional force system.
Transformations or changes to a couple can be done without producing a
change in external effect on a body provided the transformations are limited to
the following.
a. Changing the magnitude of the forces constituting a couple is also
changed so that the moment of the couple remains the same.
b. Rotating a couple in its plane
c. Moving a couple anywhere in its plane.

C. Resultant of Non-Concurrent Force Systems

1. The rectangular framework shown in figure 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.

2. The Howe truss shown carries the given loads. The wind loads are
perpendicular to the inclined members. Determine the magnitude of the
resultant, its inclination with the horizontal, and where it intersects AB.

Assignment: #s 265 & 269

Engineering mech. Singer pages
45-46
Due date: June 29, 2012