DYSMESrb213

Statics of Rigid Bodies

Dr. EMMANUEL G.BLAS, RME

Instructor, School of Mechanical Engineering

Declaration:
This learning module is an exclusive property of Dr. Yanga’s Colleges, Inc., as an essential part of the
REIMAGINED Learning Program for the Academic Year 2020-2021, and shall only be used by and for
DYCIans. No part of this learning module shall be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, and/or sold, without
the consent of DYCI.
 Module No. 3
FORCE VECTORS AND
EQUILIBRIUM PARTICLES

The effect of a system of forces on a body is usually expressed in terms of a resultant.

The value of this resultant determines the motion of the body. As we shall see, if the resultant
is zero, the body will not change its original state of motion. This is the province of statics.
If the resultant of a force system is not zero, the body will have a varying state of motion,
thereby creating a problem in dynamics.
In this module, we shall consider the technique for determining the resultant effect of
various types of coplanar systems.
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. Determine the techniques in solving the effect of resultant forces;
2. Analyze and solve the various types of problems regarding resultant effect of various
types of coplanar systems;
3. Apply the techniques in solving problems in relation to the operation of vectors; and
4. Solve problems regarding forces in equilibrium state.

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 Rectangular Components of a Force: Unit Vectors

 May resolve a force vector into perpendicular components so that the resulting
parallelogram is a rectangle. 𝐹𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑦 are referred to as rectangular vector
components and 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 + 𝐹𝑦

 Define perpendicular unit vectors 𝑖 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑗 which are parallel to the x and y axes.

 Vector components may be expressed as products of the unit vectors with the
scalar magnitudes of the vector components.
 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑖
 𝐹𝑥 and 𝐹𝑦 are referred to as the scalar components of 𝐹

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Addition of Forces by Summing Components

 Wish to find the resultant of 3 or more concurrent forces, 𝑅 = 𝑃 + 𝑄 + 𝑆

 Resolve each force into rectangular components

 The scalar components of the resultant are equal to the sum of the
corresponding scalar components of the given forces.

 To find the resultant magnitude and direction,

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 Equilibrium of a Particle
 When the resultant of all forces acting on a particle is zero, the particle is in
equilibrium.
 Newton’s First Law: If the resultant force on a particle is zero, the particle will
remain at rest or will continue at constant speed in a straight line.

 Particle acted upon by two forces:

- equal magnitude
- same line of action
- opposite sense
 Particle acted upon by three or more forces:
- graphical solution yields a closed polygon
- algebraic solution

Free-Body Diagrams

 Space Diagram: A sketch showing the physical conditions of the problem.

 Free-Body Diagram: A sketch showing only the forces on the selected particle.

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Rectangular Components in Space

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Rectangular Components in Space

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Direction of the Force

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 1. Four forces act on bolt A as shown. Determine the resultant of the force on the bolt.

SOLUTION:
a. Resolve each force into rectangular components.
b. Determine the components of the resultant by adding the corresponding force
components.
c. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant.

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 2. In a ship-unloading operation, a 3500-N automobile is supported by a cable. A rope
is tied to the cable and pulled to center the automobile over its intended position.
What is the tension in the rope?

SOLUTION:
a. Construct a free-body diagram for the particle at the junction of the rope and cable.
b. Apply the conditions for equilibrium by creating a closed polygon from the forces
applied to the particle.
c. Apply trigonometric relations to determine the unknown force magnitudes.

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SOLUTION:
a. Construct a free-body diagram for the particle at A.
b. Apply the conditions for equilibrium.
c. Solve for the unknown force magnitudes.

3. It is desired to determine the drag force at a given speed on a prototype sailboat hull.
A model is placed in a test channel and three cables are used to align its bow on the
channel centerline. For a given speed, the tension is 40 N in cable AB and 60 N in
cable AE. Determine the drag force exerted on the hull and the tension in cable AC.

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SOLUTION:
a. Choosing the hull as the free body, draw a free-body diagram.
b. Express the condition for equilibrium for the hull by writing that the sum of all forces
must be zero.
c. Resolve the vector equilibrium equation into two component equations. Solve for
the two unknown cable tensions.

a. Choosing the hull as the free body, draw a free-body diagram.

b. Express the condition for equilibrium for the hull by writing that the sum of all forces
must be zero.
c. Resolve the vector equilibrium equation into two component equations. Solve for
the two unknown cable tensions.

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This equation is satisfied only if each component of the resultant is equal to zero.

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 The tension in the guy wire is 2500 N. Determine:
1. components 𝐹𝑥 , 𝐹𝑦 , 𝐹𝑧 of the force acting on the bolt at A,
2. the angles 𝜃𝑥 , 𝜃𝑦 , 𝜃𝑧 defining the direction of the force

SOLUTION:
a. Based on the relative locations of the points A and B, determine the unit vector
pointing from A towards B
b. Apply the unit vector to determine the components of the force acting on A.
c. Noting that the components of the unit vector are the direction cosines for the
vector, calculate the corresponding angles.

a. Determine the unit vector pointing from A towards B.

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b. Determine the components of the force.

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 Name: _____________________________________________ Rating: ________________
Year and Section:_____________ Professor / Instructor:__________________________
Due of Submission: _____________________________

Week No. 3 and 4

FORCE VECTORS AND
EQUILIBRIUM PARTICLES

Solve the following problems:

1. Two cables are tied together at C and loaded as shown in figure. Knowing that 𝑃 =
360𝑁, determine the tension (a) in cable AC, in cable BC
600 mm

A B
600 mm
200 mm 600 mm P
600 mm 600 mm 600 mm
600 mm
600 mm 3 600 mm
600 mm
4
600 mm
C 600 mm

600 mm 600 mm

600 mm

Q=480N
600 mm

600 mm

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Beer, Ferdinand P and Johnston, Jr., E. Russell. (2007). Vector Mechanics for Engineers:
Statics, Third SI Metric Edition and 8th Edition. Canada. The McGraw-Hill
Ryerson Limited. All rights reserved.

Singer, Ferdinand L. (1980). Engineering Mechanics, 2nd and 3rd Edition. Printed in the
United States of America. Harper and Row , Publishers Inc.

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