1

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Review Notes Lecturer: Maria Victoria B. Munar Second Sem, SY 2019-2020

NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION Resolution

First Law It is the process of replacing a force with its
components.
A particle originally at rest, or moving in a straight line
with constant velocity, will remain in this state
RECTANGULAR COMPONENTS OF A FORCE
provided the particle is not subjected to an unbalanced
force. Components that are perpendicular with one another. These
components can be determined from trigonometry.
F1
v
F Fx = F cos 
F 3 Fy
F Fy = F sin 
F  Fx  Fy
2 2
Second Law 2 
x
A particle acted upon by an unbalanced force F Fx
experiences an acceleration a that has the same x
direction as the force and a magnitude that is directly F Fx  F d  x2  y2
d y
d
proportional to the force. If F is applied to a particle of Fy y
mass m, this law may be expressed mathematically as x Fy  F
d
F = ma. Fx
a
F
Rectangular Components of a Force in Three Dimensions
Third Law z
The mutual forces of action and reaction between two Fx = F cos x
particles are equal, opposite, and collinear.
Fy = F cos y
F z
Fz = F cos z
x y
F'
y F Fx  Fy  Fz
2 2 2

Weight x
W = mg
where: g is the acceleration due to gravity (equals Unit Vector Cartesian Unit Vectors
9.81 m/s2 at standard location) z
A
uA  k j
VECTOR ADDITION A y
Two vectors are added according to the parallelogram i
x
law. It states that “Two forces on a body can be replaced by
a single force called the resultant by drawing the diagonal Cartesian vector representation
of the parallelogram with sides equivalent to the two forces.” F = F u ; where: u is a unit vector
If the two vectors A and B are collinear, the
parallelogram law reduces to an algebraic or scalar addition. F = Fx i + Fy j + Fz k
Subtraction is a special case of addition, where the Force Vector Along a Line
resultant may be expressed as R' = A – B = A + (–B). So the z
rules of vector addition also apply to vector subtraction. B(xB, yB, zB)
F
FORCE A(xA, yA, zA)
A force is the action exerted by one body upon another. y
Characteristics of a Force
Force is a vector quantity, therefore a force is x
completely described by its characteristics:
FF
x B  x A  i   y B  y A j  z B  z A  k
1. Magnitude
2. Direction
x B  x A 2   y B  y A 2  z B  z A 2
3. Point of Application
DOT PRODUCT OR SCALAR PRODUCT
Components
A
Two separate forces equal to a single force.

A · B = AB cos 
where: 0    180
B
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Dot product of two vectors 4. A cable exerts a force F = 580 N at ring A.

a. Find the component of the force along the x axis.
A · B = AxBx + AyBy + AzBz
b. Determine the component of F parallel to the x-y plane.
Rectangular component of one vector along any direction
This component is equal to the dot product of the vector
with a unit vector in the desired direction.

COMPONENT METHOD OF ADDING FORCES.

RESULTANT OF CONCURRENT FORCES
The scalar components Rx, Ry, and Rz of the resultant R
of several forces acting on a particle are obtained by adding
algebraically the corresponding scalar components of the
given forces.
Rx = Fx ; Ry = Fy ; Rz = Fz
The magnitude and direction angles of the resultant R can
be determined from the relations 5. For the force F = 56 N acting on the bent pipe shown,
a. determine the magnitudes of the component acting
R  Rx  R y  R z
2 2 2
along line OA.
Rx R b. What is the magnitude of the component that is
x = Arc cos y = Arc cos y perpendicular to line AO?
R R
Rz
z = Arc cos
R

PROBLEMS:
1. For the given force shown, determine
a. the x and y components
b. the x and y’ components
c. the x’ and y’ components
d. the x’and y components 6. In the system shown, a force F acts from B to D. Find the
y magnitude of F if its component along line AC is equal to
y´
1200 lb.
F = 1500 N
x´
25 30

2. The x-component of the force P is equal to 450 N.

a. What is the magnitude of the force?
b. Find the magnitude of the corresponding y-component.

7. Three forces act on the bracket as shown.

a. Determine the magnitude of F3 so that the resultant
force is directed along the positive x' axis and has a
magnitude of 1000 N.
b. What is its direction  ?
3. In the figure shown, the cable AB prevents bar OA from
rotating clockwise about the pivot O. Determine the n and t
components of this force acting at point A of the bar if the
cable tension is 1200 N.
t y y'
n F1 = 450 N
A
45
F2 = 200 N
x
2.0 m 30
O 60 
B  x'
1.5 m
F3
 3

8. a. Determine the magnitude of the force F so that the MOMENT OF A FORCE ABOUT A POINT
resultant force R of the three forces is as small as possible.
Moment of a force – it is the tendency of a force to rotate the
b. What is the minimum magnitude of R?
body on which it acts about a given point or axis
Moment arm or lever arm – it is the perpendicular distance
from the point or axis to the line of action of the force
Moment center – it is the point where the body rotates or
tends to rotate
M O
M = Fd
where: M = moment of the force
d F = magnitude of the
9. Three forces, F1 = 136 N, F2 = 250 N, and F3 = 325 N, are force
applied with cables to the anchor block shown. d = lever arm
F O
a. Determine the magnitude of the resultant of the three
forces. Varignon’s Theorem or Principle of Moments
b. Determine the direction angles defining the line of
action of the resultant force. The moment of a force about a point is equal to the sum
of the moments of its components about the same point.
Principle of Transmissibility
The conditions of equilibrium or motion of a rigid body
will remain unchanged if a force acting at a given point of
the rigid body is replaced by a force of the same magnitude
and direction, but acting at a different point, provided that
the two forces have the same line of action.

CROSS OR VECTOR PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS

It is defined as the product of their magnitudes by the sine
of their included angle. The result is a new vector acting
perpendicular to the plane of the vectors in the direction of
the right-hand rule.
10. The resultant of the three forces acting at A is 675 lb
directed downward. Find the tension in AB, AC, and AD.
n̂ A  B = AB sin  n̂
B
A Ax Ay Az

 AB= Bx By Bz
B A i j k
Moment of a Force About a Point
F
MO

r
O 
d

MO = r  F
11. If each cable can withstand a maximum tension of 1000 N,
determine the largest mass of the cylinder for equilibrium. where: r is a position vector drawn from O to any
point lying on the line of action of F

Moment of a Force About a Line or Axis

z

MOx = (r  F)· n̂Ox

F MOy = (r  F)· n̂ Oy
M MOz = (r  F)· n̂Oz
r y
O

x
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Scalar Triple Product surface and the line of action of the resultant force passes
through the centroid of the volume bounded by the load area
The triple scalar product involves the dot product of a
and the load surface.
vector and the cross product of two vectors. It is written as
A · B  C or B  C · A 2. Line Load
The magnitude of the resultant force is equal to the area
Ax Ay Az under the load diagram and the line of action of the resultant
A·BC = Bx By Bz force passes through the centroid of the area under the load
Cx Cy Cz diagram.
Vector Representation of Moment PROBLEMS
MO = Mx i + My j + Mz k ; 1. A 90-N force is applied to the control rod AB as shown.
Knowing that the length of the rod is 225 mm, determine the
MO  Mx  My  Mz
2 2 2
moment of the force about point B.
Moment of a Couple
Couple – consists of two forces that are equal in magnitude,
opposite in direction, and have parallel (non-
collinear) lines of action. It produces a purely
rotational effect, and the moment of a couple is
the same about any point in the plane of the
couple; i.e., it is independent of the moment
center.
2. In order to raise the lamp post from the position shown, the
M = Fd ;
force F on the cable must create a counterclockwise moment
where: F = magnitude of the force of 1500 lb-ft about point A. Determine the magnitude of F
d = perpendicular distance between the that must be applied to the cable.
forces

RESULTANTS OF FORCE SYSTEMS

Coplanar Force Systems
R = Rx î + Ry ĵ where: Rx = Fx and Ry = Fy
and the magnitude R and direction angle θ, measured from the
x-component, are
Ry
R  Rx  R y
2 2
and  = tan1
Rx 3. The towline exerts a force P = 4 kN at the end of the 20-m
The location of the line of action of the resultant with respect to long crane boom. If 𝜃 = 30°,
an arbitrary reference point, say O, can be determined by a. determine the placement x of the hook at A so that this
applying the principle of moments. Hence, force creates a maximum moment about point O.
b. What is this moment?
M OR   M O
Non-coplanar Force Systems

R = Rx î + Ry ĵ + Rz k̂
where: Rx = Fx , Ry =Fy , Rz =Fz
R  Rx  Ry  Rz
2 2 2

Rx Ry Rz
cos θ x  cos θ y  cos θ z 
R R R 4. Determine the moment of force F about point O.
M = Mx î + My ĵ + Mz k̂
where: Mx = Mx , My =My , Mz =Mz

M  Mx  My  Mz
2 2 2

Distributed Normal Loads

1. Surface Load
The magnitude of the resultant force is equal to the
volume of the region between the load area and the load
 5

5. Two parallel 75-N forces are applied to a lever as shown.

Determine the moment of the couple formed by the
two forces.

10. Three couples are applied to a bent bar as shown in the

figure.
a. Determine the magnitude of the resultant couple
b. Compute the direction angles associated with the unit
6. Determine the magnitude of force F in cable AB in order to vector used to describe the normal to the plane of the
produce a moment of 500 lb-ft about the hinged axis CD, resultant couple.
which is needed to hold the panel in the position shown.

7. A couple of magnitude M = 540 mN-m and three forces

shown are applied to an angle bracket. 11. Determine the magnitudes of F1 and F2 and the direction
a. Find the resultant of this system of forces. of F1 so that the loading creates a zero resultant force and
b. Locate the point where the line of action of the couple on the wheel.
resultant intersects the line AB.
c. Locate the point where the line of action of the
resultant intersects the line BC.

8. Two parallel forces of opposite sense F1 = (125i + 200j +

250k) N and F2 = (125i  200i  250k) N act at points A
and B of a body as shown in the figure.
a. Determine the moment of the couple. 12. a. Replace the loading system acting on the post by a
b. Find the perpendicular distance between the two forces. single resultant force.
b. Where is its point of application on the post measured
from point O?

9. For the loading system shown,

a. compute the magnitude of the resultant force.
b. Determine where the resultant’s line of action intersects
the member measured from A.
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13. a. Determine the magnitude of the resultant of the two 17. The turnbuckle is tightened until the tension in cable AB is
forces and one couple acting on the I-beam. 1.2 kN. Calculate the magnitude of the moment about point
b. Locate the line of action of the resultant force with O of the force acting on point A.
respect to the left end of the beam.

14. a. Determine the resultant of the four forces and one couple
acting on the plate shown.
b. Locate the point where the resultant’s line of action
intersect line AC measured from A.
c. Find the point where resultant’s line of action intersect
edge AB of the plate from A.
EQUILIBRIUM OF PARTICLES
Conditions for Equilibrium
Fx = 0, Fy = 0 , Fz = 0
Free-body Diagram (FBD)
– a drawing that shows the particle with all the forces,
known and unknown, that act on it.
In drawing a free-body diagram of a body, certain assumptions
are made regarding the nature of the forces (reactions) exerted
by other bodies on the body of interest. Three common
assumptions are the following:
1. Springs

F = ks
15. Find the x and y coordinates of the point where the where: k = stiffness or spring constant
ℓo s = spring deflection
resultant of the three forces crosses the plate. ℓ
s = l – lo
s where l is the stretched
length and lo is the original
length
F
2. Cables and Pulleys

Cables (or the like) can

If s is positive,
supportcausing
only ana elongation,
tension orthen F
16. Replace the two forces and single couple by an equivalent must pullpulling
on theforce.
spring; if s is negative,
force-couple system at point A. causing a shortening, then F must push on it.

3. Smooth or Frictionless Surfaces

The action (or reaction) of the
body on the other is directed
normal to the surface of
contact.
90


R
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EQUILIBRIUM OF RIGID BODIES IN TWO DIMENSIONS

Equilibrium equations
Fx = 0; Fy = 0; M = 0
Idealization of Two-dimensional Supports and Connections
Type of Connection Reaction Number of Unknowns
1. Cable One unknown. The reaction is a
tension force which acts away from
θ θ the member in the direction of the
R cable.

2. Weightless
link θ One unknown. The reaction is a
θ
θ force which acts along the axis of
R or
R the link.

3. Roller One unknown. The reaction is a

90º force which acts perpendicular to
R the surface at the point of contact.

4. Roller or pin in confined

smooth slot
One unknown. The reaction is a
force which acts perpendicular to
or the slot.
90º R 90º
R

5. Rocker One unknown. The reaction is a

90º force which acts perpendicular to
R the surface at the point of contact.

6. Smooth contacting surface

One unknown. The reaction is a
θ force which acts perpendicular to
θ R the surface at the point of contact.

7. Smooth pin or hinge RH Two unknowns. The reactions are

two components of force, or the
magnitude and direction of the
RV resultant force.

8. Member pin connected

to collar on R R One unknown. The reaction is a
smooth rod
or force which acts perpendicular to
θ
θ the rod.
θ

9. Member fixed connected

to collar on
Two unknowns. The reactions are
smooth rod
the couple moment and the force
which acts perpendicular to the rod.

10. Fixed support Three unknowns. The reactions are

RH the couple moment and the two
force components, or the couple
M moment and the magnitude and
RV direction of the resultant force.
 8

Equilibrium of a two-force body Equilibrium of a three-force body

A rigid body subjected to two forces acting at only two If a rigid body in equilibrium is subjected to forces
points is commonly called a two-force body. If a two-force acting at only three points, the lines of action of the three
body is in equilibrium, the two forces must have the same forces must be either concurrent or parallel.
magnitude, the same line of action, and opposite sense.
F1 C
F1 A O F3
A
B
F2
B F2

EQUILIBRIUM OF RIGID BODIES IN THREE DIMENSIONS

Fx = 0 Fy = 0 Fz = 0
Mx = 0 My = 0 Mz = 0

Supports and Connections

Type of Connection Reaction Number of Unknowns
1. Cable
One unknown. The reaction is a force
which acts away from the member in the
known direction of the cable.

2. Smooth surface support

One unknown. The reaction is a force
which acts perpendicular to the surface at
the point of contact.

3. Roller
One unknown. The reaction is a force
which acts perpendicular to the surface at
the point of contact.

4. Ball and Socket

Three unknowns. The reactions are three

rectangular force components.

5. Single journal bearing Four unknowns. The reactions are two

force and two couple-moment components
which act perpendicular to the shaft. Note:
The couple moments are generally not
applied if the body is supported elsewhere.

6. Single journal bearing with

Five unknowns. The reactions are two
square shaft
force and three couple-moment
components. Note: The couple moments
are generally not applied if the body is
supported elsewhere.

7. Single thrust bearing Five unknowns. The reactions are three

force and two couple-moment components.
Note: The couple moments are generally
not applied if the body is supported
elsewhere.
 9

Type of Connection Reaction Number of Unknowns

8. Single smooth pin Five unknowns. The reactions are three
force and two couple-moment components.
Note: The couple moments are generally
not applied if the body is supported
elsewhere.

9. Single hinge
Five unknowns. The reactions are three
force and two couple-moment components.
Note: The couple moments are generally
not applied if the body is supported
elsewhere.

10. `Fixed support

Six unknowns. The reactions are three
force and three couple-moment
components.

PROBLEMS

1. Four forces act on the particle shown. Determine the

magnitude and direction angle  of force F4 for equilibrium
of the particle.

4. Cables AB, BC, and CD support the 10-kg and 15-kg traffic
lights at B and C, respectively.
a. Determine the tension in cable AB.
b. Determine the tension in cable CD.
c. Determine the value of θ.
2. Find the smallest value of P for which the crate shown will
be in equilibrium in the position shown.

5. Two 10-in diameter pipes and a 6-in diameter pipe are

supported in a pipe rack as shown in the figure. The 10-in
diameter pipes each weigh 300 lb and the 6-in diameter pipe
weighs 175 lb. Assume all surfaces to be smooth.
3. Determine the stretch in each spring for equilibrium of the 2-
kg block. The springs are shown in their equilibrium
a. Determine the force exerted by the support on the pipe at
contact surface B.
position.
b. What is the reaction at C?
c. What is the reaction at A?
 10

9. Determine the force P required to pull the 250-lb roller over

the step shown in the figure.

10. A cylinder is supported by a bar and a cable as shown in the

figure. The weight of the cylinder is 150 lb and the weight
6. The smooth disks D and E have a weight of 200 lb and 100 of the bar is 20 lb. If all surfaces are smooth,
lb, respectively. Determine the largest horizontal force P that a. determine the reaction at support C of the bar
can be applied to the center of disk E without causing the b. determine the tension in the cable.
disk D to move up the incline.

7. A 3000-lb cylinder is supported by a system of cables as

shown in the figure. Determine the tensions in cables A, B,
and C.
11. The framework is supported by the member AB which rests
on the smooth floor. When loaded, the pressure distribution
on AB is linear as shown. Determine:
a. the length d of member AB
b. the intensity w for this case.

8. A container of weight W is suspended from ring A to which

cables AC and AE are attached. A force P is applied to the
end F of a third cable which passes over a pulley at B and
through ring A and which is attached to a support at D.
Knowing that W = 1000 N, determine the magnitude of P. 12. Spring CD remains in the horizontal position at all times
due to the roller at D. The spring is unstretched when
𝜃 = 0 and the stiffness is 𝑘 = 1.5 kN/m.
a. Determine the smallest angle θ for equilibrium.
b. Determine the horizontal and vertical components of
reaction at pin A.

F
 11

13. The floor crane and the driver have a total weight of 2500
lb with a center of gravity at G. Determine the largest
weight of the drum that can be lifted without causing the
crane to overturn when its boom is in the position shown.

17. The bent rod of negligible mass is supported by a ball-and-

socket joint at A and a slider bearing at B; the rod leans
against a smooth surface at D. Find all forces acting on the
rod when the force P = 960 N is applied.

14. Determine the force P

needed to support the 20-kg
mass using the Spanish
Burton rig.

PLANE TRUSSES
Zero-force Members
Zero-force members in a truss usually arise in one of two
general ways:
1. When only two members form a non-collinear truss joint and
no external load or support reaction is applied to the joint,
then the members must be zero-force members.
2. When three members form a truss joint for which two of the
members are collinear and the third forms an angle with the
first two, then the non-collinear member is a zero-force
member provided no external force or support reactions
15. A loading car is at rest on a track forming an angle of 25° applied to that joint. The two collinear members carry equal
with the vertical. The gross weight of the car and its load is loads.
5500 lb, and it is applied at a point 30 in. from the track,
halfway between the two axles. The car is held by a cable Exercises
attached 24 in. from the track.
a. Determine the tension in the cable 1. C E G I K M
B
b. Find the reaction at each pair of wheels.

A N
D F H J L

2. D I J O
C

E K N
B
H
A M
16. Determine the force developed in cords BD, CE, and CF F G L
and the reactions of the ball-and-socket joint A on the
block.
3.
 12

Method of Joints
The method of joints is based on the fact that if the
entire truss is in equilibrium, then each of its joints is also in
equilibrium. The free-body diagram of each joint is used to
obtain the member forces acting at the joint. Since the
members of a plane truss are straight two-force members
lying in a single plane, each joint is subjected to a force
system that is coplanar and concurrent; hence, only Fx = 0
and Fy = 0 need to be satisfied for equilibrium. 4. The diagonal members in the center panels of the truss
shown are very slender and can act only in tension
Method of Sections (counters). Determine the forces in the counters that are
Analyzing the free-body diagram of a part of a truss acting under the given loading.
that contains two or more joints is called the method of
sections. It is used when the force of only a few members of
a truss are to be found.

PROBLEMS
Determine the force in member BG and member CF of the
truss loaded as shown.

5. A truss is subjected to two point loads at A as shown.

1. Determine the force in member BG and member CF of the a. Find the reaction at H.
truss loaded as shown. b. Find the force acting in member EF.
c. Determine the force in member EH.

2. Each member of the truss is a uniform 20-ft bar weighing 6. For the truss loaded as shown,
400 lb. a. determine the force in member DE.
a. Find the reaction at the roller support. b. Find the force in member FI.
b. Calculate the average force in member AE. c. Determine the force in member EI.
c. Determine the average force in member ED.

3. For the truss loaded as shown,

a. determine the force in member BC.
b. determine the force in BI.
c. find the force in member HI.
 13

FRAMES AND MACHINES

Frame – a structure that always contains at least one member
acted on by forces at three or more points. Frames are
structures which are designed to support applied loads
and are usually fixed in s position.
Machines or mechanism – frame-like structures that are not
fully constrained. They are structures which contain
moving parts and are designed to transmit forces or
couples from input values to output values.
The forces acting on each member of a connected
system are found by isolating the member with a free-body
diagram and applying the established equations of equilibrium.
The principle of action and reaction must be carefully observed
when we represent the forces of interaction on the separate
4. The two-member frame shown carries a distributed load
free-body diagrams.
and a concentrated load F = 500 N.
a. Determine the horizontal and vertical components of
PROBLEMS reaction at pin A.
b. Determine the horizontal and vertical components of
1. Determine the reaction at the roller F for the frame loaded reaction at pin B.
as shown.

2. The aircraft landing gear consists of a spring and 5. Determine the reactions at the supports of the compound
hydraulically-loaded piston and cylinder D and the two
beam loaded as shown.
pivoted links OB and CB. If the gear is moving along the
runway at a constant speed with the wheel supporting a
stabilized constant load of 24 kN, calculate the total force
which the pin at A supports.

6. The compound beam is pin-supported at C and supported

by rollers at A and B. There is a hinge (pin) at D. Neglect
the thickness of the beam.
a. Determine the reaction at A.
b. Determine the reaction at B.
c. Determine the components of reaction at the support C.

3. The shipboard crane is supporting a load of 4 tons in the

position shown where 𝜃 = 30°. The hoisting drum B is
operated by a high-torque electric motor.
a. Calculate the added compression P in the hydraulic
cylinder due to the effect of the 4-ton load.
b. Determine the magnitude R of the additional force
supported by the pin at O.
 14

7. Determine the horizontal and vertical components of 2. Horizontal distance between joints are equal
reaction at pin C.  Horizontal component of reactions: Hd = M2
 Solve for RA using ∑MB = 0
 Solve for RB from ∑Fv = 0
TA  R A  H 2
2
 The tensions in the cables are
and TB  RB H 2
2

PROBLEMS

1. Cable ABCD supports the 10-kg lamp E and the 15-kg lamp
F. Determine the maximum tension in the cable and the sag
8. The axis of the three-hinge arch ABC is a parabola with of point B.
vertex at B. Knowing that P = 112 kN and Q = 140 kN,
determine
a. the components of the reaction at A.
b. the components of the force exerted at B on segment
AB.

2. Two loads are suspended as shown from the cable ABCD.

Knowing that hB = 1.8 m, determine
a. the distance hC,
b. the components of the reaction at D,
CABLES c. the maximum tension in the cable.
Flexible Cables with Concentrated Loads
When a cable of negligible weight supports several
concentrated loads, the cable takes the form of several
straight-line segments. Any portion of cable between
successive loads can therefore be considered as a two-force
member, and the internal forces at any point in the cable 6 kN 10 kN
reduce to a force of tension directed along the cable.
1. Slopes or angles of inclination are given
3. If each cable segment can support a maximum tension of 75
 Apply the equations of equilibrium at the joints lb, determine the largest load P that can be applied.

4. If dC = 8 ft, determine
a. the reaction at A,
b. the reaction at E.
 15

300 lb
200 lb When the supports A and B of the cable have the same
300 lb elevations, the distance L between the supports is called the
5. A string supported at A and B, at the same level over a span span of the cable and the vertical distance h from the
of 30 m is loaded as shown in the figure given below. If the supports to the lowest point is called the sag of the cable.
depth of the point D is 8 m from the supports, find
a. the tensions in CD, 1. Supports are of the same level
b. the tension in DE, wL2
 Horizontal component of reactions: H 
c. the horizontal thrusts in the strings at A and B. 8d
2
 The tension in the cable is TA   wL   H 2
 2 
8d 2 32d 4
 Approximate length of the cable: S  L  
3L 5L2

6. The cable supports the three loads shown. Determine the

sags yB and yD and of points B and D. Take P1 = 400 lb,
P2 = 250 lb.

2. Supports are of different levels

 Horizontal component of reactions:
x 
2
wx 1
Use ∑MA = 0] Hd 1  wx1  1  or H 
2 2d1
x 
2
wx 2
∑MB = 0] Hd 2  wx 2  2  or H 
 2 2d 2
Cables Subjected to a Distributed Load
Parabolic Cable  The tensions are TA  wx1 2  H 2 and
If a cable carries a load that is uniformly distributed along TA  wx2 2  H 2
the horizontal, the curve formed by the cable is a parabola.
The shape of the curve formed by the cable is defined by the
wx 2 .
equation y From the figure shown,
2T
wx ; where T and θ are
T  To  w2 x 2 and tan  
2

To
respectively the tension and slope at any point in the cable.

3. When the distance from the lowest point of the cable to the
chord joining the supports is known
2
 Horizontal component of reactions: H  wL
8d
 Solve for RB using ∑MA = 0
 16

 Solve for RB from ∑Fv = 0 a. Determine the maximum tension in the cable.
 The tensions in the cables are T  b. Determine the minimum tension in the cable.
R A H and
2 2
A
TB  R B  H 2
2

3. A cable is suspended and loaded as shown in the figure.

a. Compute the length of the cable.
b. Compute the horizontal component of the tension the
Catenary Cable cable.
c. Determine the magnitude and position of the maximum
If a cable carries a load that is uniformly distributed along tension occurring in the cable.
the cable itself, the shape of the cable is a catenary curve.
Cables hanging under their own weight are loaded in this
way. The tension at any point in the cable can be determined
from the equation T  To 2  w2 s 2
To
If c  , the length of the cable, s, under consideration
w
4. The power transmission cable has a weight per unit length of
is equal to s  c sinh x
c 15 lb/ft. If the lowest point of the cable must be at least 90
and the equation of the curve is defined by the relation ft above the ground,
x a. determine the maximum tension developed in the cable.
y  c cosh b. What is the total length of the cable from A and B?
c
The relation of y and s is y2 – s2 = c2.
From the above equations, T = wy.
When the supports at A and B of the cable have the
same elevation, the distance L between the supports is called
the span of the cable and the vertical distance h from the
supports to the lowest point C is called the sag of the cable
which is equal to h = yA – c. 5. Cable AB supports a load uniformly distributed along the
horizontal as shown. Knowing that at B the cable forms an
angle θB = 35° with the horizontal, determine
a. the maximum tension in the cable,
b. the vertical distance a from A to the lowest point of the
cable.

PROBLEMS

1. Determine the maximum uniform distributed loading wo N/m FRICTION

that the cable can support if it is capable of sustaining a Coulomb’s Theory of Dry Friction
maximum tension of 60 kN.
The maximum value of static
friction (when motion is
impending) is proportional to the
normal force; i.e.,
Fmax = s N;
where: s = coefficient of
static friction
2. A cable supports a load of 50 kg/m uniformly distributed
with respect to the horizontal and is suspended from the two Once the block starts to slip relative to the surface, the friction
fixed points located as shown. force will decrease to
 17

Fmax = k N; where k = coefficient of kinetic friction

The total force R exerted by the supporting surface on the block
is the resultant of F and N, therefore,

R  N 2  F 2 and tan   F
N
At the point of impending motion,
F 2. The 200-lb crate is being moved by a rope that passes over a
R  N 2  Fmax 2 and tan   max
N smooth pulley. The coefficient of friction between the crate
F and the floor is 0.30. Assume that h = 4 ft and determine the
Since Fmax = s N,  s  max and tan  = s, where  = angle
N force P necessary to produce impending motion.
of static friction.
When a block rests on an inclined surface and is acted on
only by gravity, the resultant of the normal and friction forces
must be collinear. The angle between the resultant and the
normal force can never be greater than the angle of static
friction; therefore, the steepest inclination  for which the block
will be in equilibrium is equal to the angle of static friction. This
angle is called the angle of repose.
Wedges
– it is a block that has two flat faces that make a small angle
with each other which are often used in pairs to raise heavy 3. A lightweight rope is wrapped around a drum as shown in
loads. the figure. The coefficient of friction between the drum and
the ground is 0.30.
Flexible Belts a. Determine the maximum angle  such that the drum does
The relationship between the tensions on the ropes for not slip.
problems involving a flat belt passing over a fixed cylinder can b. Determine the tension in the cable for this angle if the
be determined from the formula drum weights 100 N.
T2  T1e  where: T2 > T1
μ = coefficient of friction
β = angle of contact in radians
 Direction for impending motion (or
motion) of belt relative to the drum

4. Two blocks A and B, each having a mass of 6 kg, are

connected by the linkage shown. If the coefficient of static
friction at the contacting surfaces is B = 0.8 and A = 0.2,
The following points should be kept in mind when using the determine the largest vertical force P that may be applied to
above equation: pin C without causing the blocks to slip. Neglect the weight
1. T2 is the belt tension that is directed opposite the belt friction. of the links.
Thus, T2 must always refer to the larger of the two tensions.
2. For impending motion, use  = s. If there is relative motion
between the belt and the cylinder, use  = k..
3. The angle of contact  must be expressed in radians.
4. Since the equation is independent of r, its use is not restricted
to circular contact surfaces; it may also be used for a surface
of arbitrary shape.
PROBLEMS
1. The block in figure weighs 500 lb and the coefficient of
friction between the
block and the floor is 0.2. 5. The 200-N board is placed across the channel and a 400-N
a. Determine if the system would be in equilibrium for boy attempts to walk across. If the coefficient of static
P = 400 lb. friction at A and B is s = 0.4, determine if he can make the
b. Calculate the minimum P to prevent motion. crossing; and if not, how far will he get from A before the
c. Determine the maximum P for which the system is in board slips?
equilibrium.
 18

6. How many turns of rope around the capstan are needed for 8. A wedge is being forced under an 80-kg drum as shown in
the 300-N force to resist the 120-kN pull of a docked ship? the figure. The coefficient of friction between the wedge and
The coefficient of static friction between the capstan and the the drum is 0.10 while the coefficient of friction is 0.30 at all
rope is 0.20. other surfaces. Assuming a wedge angle θ of 25º and that the
weight of the wedge may be neglected, determine the
minimum force P necessary to insert the wedge.

7. A pair of wedges is used to move a crate of weight W = 2400

N. The coefficient of friction is the same at all surfaces and
the weight of the wedges are negligible. If the coefficient of
static friction is 0.30 and the wedge angle  is 20, determine
the force P necessary to insert the wedge.

9. The force P applied to the brake handle enables the band 10. If a force of P = 200 N is applied to the handle of the bell
brake to reduce the angular speed of a rotating drum. If the crank, determine the maximum torque M that can be
tensile strength of the band is 17 kN, resisted so that the flywheel is not on the verge of rotating
a. find the maximum safe value of P clockwise. The coefficient of static friction between the
b. find the corresponding braking torque acting on the brake band and the rim of the wheel is 𝜇𝑠 = 0.3.
drum. Assume that the drum is rotating clockwise.

CENTROIDS AND CENTERS OF GRAVITY

Center of mass – it is used to denote the point in a system of particles or physical body where the mass can be conceived to be
concentrated
Center of gravity – the point in the body through which the weight acts

Centroid of Areas and Lines

x A  ∑ x ∆A or x A   x dA y A = ∑ y ∆A or y A   y dA
x L  ∑ x ∆L or x L   x dL y L = ∑ y ∆L or y L   y dL
 19

Centroids of the Common Geometric Shapes

Shape x y Area

h h bh
Triangular area
y 3 2
b b
2 2

4r πr 2
Semi-circular Area 0
r 3π 2

r 4r 4r πr 2
Quarter-circular Area
3π 3π 4

a
y = kx2 h 3a 3h ah
Parabolic spandrel
O 4 10 3

r
 2r sin 
Circular Sector 0 r 2
O  3

Shape x y Length

2r
Semicircular arc r 0 πr
π
O h

2r 2r r
Quarter-circular arc r
h π π 2
O

r
r sin 
Arc of a circle  0 2r
O  
x
Shape x y Volume

r
h
3a 2 3
Hemisphere r
8 3
 20

Shape x y Volume

a 3h 2 2
Semiellipsoid of
h a h
revolution 8 3

a h 1 2
Paraboloid of revolution h a h
3 2

h 1 2
Cone r r h
h 4 3

a h 1
Pyramid abh
h 4 3

b
h

PROBLEMS

1. Locate the centroid of the wire bent in the shape shown. 3. Locate the centroid of the wire shown.

2. Locate the centroid of the given cross-sectional area.

200 mm 4. Locate the centroid of the section shown.
1.in 6.in 1.in
40 mm

100
6.in C
•
20 mm 1.in d x
 21

5. Locate the centroid of the plane area shown. MOMENT OF INERTIA

y
Moment of Inertia of an Area
6 in 8 in
In the application of mechanics, if a load is distributed
continuously over an area on which they act, the computation
8 in of the loading distribution about an axis perpendicular to the
area will involve a quantity called the moment of inertia or
4 in the second moment of the area.
12 in

x I x   y 2 dA and I y   x 2 dA
6. Where is the centroid of the shaded area shown? The moment of inertia about the
y
pole O or about the z axis is
60 mm I O   r 2 dA
30 mm
These moments of inertia about the x and y axes are
called the rectangular moment of inertia while the moment
30 mm
of inertia about the origin or about the z axis is called the
polar moment of inertia. Since r  x  y , the moment of
2 2 2
x
O 45 mm inertia of an area is always positive and is expressed in units
of length to the fourth power.
7. Determine the distance h to which a hole must be bored into IO  I x  I y
the cylinder so that the center of mass of the assembly is
located at x = 64 mm. The material has a density of 8 The Parallel Axis Theorem for an Area
Mg/m3.
The moment of inertia of an area about any axis that is
parallel to the centroidal axis can be determined by the
parallel-axis theorem.
I x  I x  A d 2 ; where d is the distance between the
axes
Radius of Gyration
Ix
I x  kx A
2
or kx 
A

The distance k x is referred to as the radius of gyration of

the area with respect to the x axis.

Moment of inertia of the common geometric shapes

Ix Iy I xO I yO IO
y yO

h
bh3 b3h bh3 b3h
Rectangle xO
O 3 3 12 12

x
b
 22

Ix Iy I xO I yO IO

h bh 3 bh 3
Triangle xO
12 36

x
b

y
O
 r4  r4  r4
4 4 2
Circle or or or
xO
O
r d 4
d 4
 d4
64 64 32

y or yO

 r4  r4  r4
Semicircle r O xO 0.11r 4
x 8 8 8
4r
3

y yO

r  r4  r4
Quartercircle O xO 0.055r 4 0.055r 4
16 16
x
4r
3

PROBLEMS

1. Determine the polar moment of inertia and the polar radius 2. Determine the polar moment of inertia of the area shown
of gyration of the shaded area shown with respect to point with respect to a) point O; b) the centroid of the area.
P.
y

a
P
x
a a a a
 23

3. Determine the moment of inertia of the composite area about 4. Determine the moments of inertia of the area shown about
the x axis. the centroidal x and y axes.

BOARD PROBLEMS
1. The magnitude of a force is 80 kN. The coordinates of its c) Which of the following gives the y’-component with
tail is (0 m, 4 m, 3 m) and the coordinates of its tip are (4.5 respect to x’ and y’ axis.
m, 0 m, 3 m,). What is the moment of this force about point
O with coordinates (0 m, 0 m, 0 m)? 4. For the machine part shown in the figure, the load 150 kN
A. 308.6 kN B. 338.8 kN-m is acting at A.
C. 425.9 kN-m D. 278.4 kN-m-m

2. A force of 60kN is acting horizontally, then another force

of 50kN is acting upward to the right. If the resultant of
these two forces is 95.4 kN.
a) At what angle does the resultant make with the
horizontal? a) When force at A is transferred to B, what is the
A. 27º B. 32º equivalent couple in kN.m
C. 24º D. 30º b) What is the force at C.
c) What is the force at B.
b) At what angle does the 50-kN force makes with the
5. Find the resultant of four parallel forces acting on a
horizontal?
horizontal bar AB with length of 11 m; 400 kN download at
A. 60º B. 72º
the left most end, 800 kN downward at 9 m from the left end
C. 54º D. 48º
and 300 kN upward at 11 m from the left end.
c) Compute the horizontal component of the resultant? A. 1200 kN force acting upward
A. 85 kN B. 78 kN B. 1200 kN-m couple acting clockwise
C. 88 kN D. 65 kN C. 1200 kN force acting downward
D. 1200 kN-m couple acting counterclockwise

3. From the given figure shown, a force P = 100 kN is acting 6. For the forces in the figure shown
at 30° from the horizontal axis.

68.3 N

a) Which of the following most nearly gives the

magnitude of the horizontal component of the resultant
of the force system?
A. 25 kN B. 50 kN
a) Which of the following gives the y-component of P
C. –50 kN D. –25 kN
with respect to x and y axis.
b) Which of the following most nearly gives the
b) Which of the following gives the y-component of P
magnitude of the resultant force?
with respect to x’ and y axis.
 24

A. 25 kN B. 50 kN
C. 35 kN D. 42 kN
c) Which of the following gives the angle that the
equilibrant makes with the horizontal axis.
A. –135º B. –45º
C. 45º D. 135º

7. A concurrent force system in space is composed of 3 forces 1) Which of the following gives the x-component of the
described as follows: P1 has a magnitude of 100 kN and acts resultant force?
through the origin and points x = 3, y = 4, z = 2. P2 has a A. 371.06 kN B. 392.40 kN
magnitude of 60 kN and acts through the origin and points C. 410.32 kN D. 401.30 kN
x = 4, y = 1, z = –2. P3 has a magnitude of 80 kN and acts 2) Which of the following gives the y-component of the
through the origin and points x = 2, y = –3, z = 3. resultant force?
A. 590.67 kN B. 620.23 kN
C. 583.20 kN D. 556.59 kN
3) Which of the following gives the z-component of
the resultant force?
A. 620.23 kN B. 742.12 kN
C. 583.20 kN D. 401.30 kN

10. A concurrent force system in space is composed of 3 forces

described as follows. P1 has a magnitude of 93 kN and acts
through the origin and point x = 5, y = –4 and z = –6. P2 has
a magnitude of 126 kN and acts through the origin and point
1) Which of the following most nearly gives the x-
x = –1, y = 5 and z = 3. P3 has a magnitude of 38 kN and
component of the resultant force.
acts through the origin and point x = 4, y =1 and z = 3.
A. 142 kN B. 136 kN
1) Which of the following gives the x-component of the
C. 128 kN D. 159 kN
resultant of the sets of forces?
2) Which of the following most nearly gives the y-
2) Which of the following gives the y-component of the
component of the resultant force.
resultant of the sets of forces?
A. 36 kN B. 50 kN
3) Which of the following gives the resultant of the sets of
C. 42 kN D. 28 kN
forces.?
3) Which of the following most nearly gives the z-
component of the resultant force. 11. The coplanar force system shown consists of two forces
A. 25 kN B. 36 kN and a couple. All coordinates are in meters.
C. 48 kN D. 62 kN

8. From the given sets of parallel forces shown,

a) Which of the following gives the resultant force? a) Which of the following most nearly gives the resultant
A. 100 kN B. 90 kN of the force system in Newtons.
C. 110 kN D. 135 kN A. 16.8 B. 14.3
b) Which of the following gives the location of the C. 12.2 D. 13.1
resultant force from the left support? b) Which of the following most nearly gives the angle
A. 5 m B. 6 m that the resultant forces make with the horizontal axis
C. 7 m D. 8 m in degrees (positive counterclockwise)?
c) Which of the following gives the reaction at the left A. 72.4 B. 55.2
support? C. 68.9 D. 65.2
A. 55.1 kN B. 57.4 kN c) Which of the following most nearly gives the y-
C. 53.4 kN D. 52.5 kN intercept of the resultant force in meters.
A. 3.14 B. 6.38
9. The resultant of the concurrent forces has a magnitude of C. 2.46 D. 5.34
1000 kN and acts through the origin and points x = 2, y =3
and z = 4.
 25

12. A force system in space is shown below. b) If α = 60°, what is the value of force C such that the
resultant of forces A, B, and C acts along the x-axis?
c) For the forces A, B, and C to be in equilibrium, what is
the magnitude of the resulting force C?

a) Which of the following most nearly gives the moment 16. The force R = 600 kN is the resultant of the forces P, Q, and
of the forces about the x-axis, in Newton-Meter? 50 kN.
A. 720 B. 2500 a) Determine the value of P.
C. 2865 D. 1200 b) Determine the value of Q.
b) Which of the following most nearly gives the c) Determine the distance x that specifies the line of action
magnitude of the resultant moment in Newton-Meter? of Q.
A. 1200 B. 720
C. 2500 D. 2865
c) Which of the following most nearly gives the
direction cosines of the resultant moment?
A. cos θx = 0.251; cos θy = –0.419; cos θz = 0.873 4m
B. cos θx = 0.251; cos θy = –0.214; cos θz = 0.771
C. cos θx = 0.324; cos θy = –0.419; cos θz = 0.771
D. cos θx = 0.324; cos θy = –0.214; cos θz = 0.873
17. Three identical cylinders are stacked within a rigid bin as
shown in the figure weight of each cylinder is 500 N. There
13. A simply supported beam with a span of 6.0 m carries a
is no friction at any contact surface.
vertical load that increases uniformly from zero at the left
end to a maximum value of 9 kN/m at the right end. The
larger reaction occurs at the right and has a value in kN of
A. 27 B. 4.5
C. 18 D. 9

14. A concrete block is supported by two guy wires attached to a) Which of the following most nearly gives the force at
an anchor ring as shown. Determine the following: A, in Newtons?
a) Resultant force on the anchor ring. A. 425 B. 754
b) Angle of resultant force with respect to the horizontal. C. 567 D. 289
c) Weight W of the concrete block with a factor of safety b) Which of the following most nearly gives the force at
of 1.25 to prevent uplift. C, in Newtons?
A. 425 B. 354
C. 144 D. 236
c) Which of the following most nearly gives the force at
B, in Newtons?
A. 865 B. 650
C. 536 D. 750

18. From the figure shown, the spring is subjected to an initial

tension of 200 N and has a spring constant of 10.2 kN/m. A
force P is applied at B and D as shown.
15. The hook is subjected to three forces A, B, and C as shown.
A = 35 kN, B = 45 kN.
a) If the resultant of the forces is 80 kN and is acting along
the positive x-axis, find the angle α.
 26

a) Which of the following is the force acting on the 21. From the given figure shown.
spring? a) Which of following gives the reaction at C
A. 1.567 kN B. 1.223 kN b) Which of following gives the shear at a distance of 7
C. 1.687 kN D. 1.454 kN m. from A?
b) Which of the following gives the force acting on AB? c) Which of following gives the moment at a distance of
A. 0.8953 kN B. 0.9047 kN 3 m. from A?
C. 0.9578 kN D. 0.7893 kN
c) Which of the following gives the value of P?
A. 0.9047 kN B. 1.3283 kN
C. 0.9578 kN D. 0.7893 kN

19. From the given frame shown compute the following:

a) Which of the following gives the force F if the
reaction at B is 100kN?
A. 120 kN B. 140 kN
C. 100 kN D. 110 kN 22. The beam shown weighs 30N/m.
b) Which of the following gives the reaction at A?
A. 156 kN B. 136 kN
C. 148 kN D. 162 kN
c) Which of the following gives the angle which the
resultant reaction at A makes with the horizontal axis
measured counterclockwise?
A. 230º B. 50º
C. 160º D. 130º

a) Which of the following gives the tension force?

b) Which of the following gives the reaction at the
pinned support?
c) Which of the following gives the angle that the
reaction makes with the horizontal measured in
counterclockwise direction?
23. The force system shown consists of the couple C and four
forces. The resultant of this system is a 500 kN-m
counterclockwise couple.

20. A rod is connected to a pin at A and a chord at B as shown.

It holds a cylindrical drum which weighs 176 N. The drum
has a diameter of 2 m.
a) Which of the following gives the force between the
drum and the rod?
b) Which of the following gives the force in the chord
BC?
c) Which of the following gives the reaction at the pin at
A?
a) Which of the following most nearly gives the value of
P in kN?
A. 230 B. 150
C. 250 D. 200
b) Which of the following most nearly gives the value of
Q in kN?
A. 240 B. 260
C. 300 D. 200
c) Which of the following most nearly gives the value of
C in kN-m?
A. 1070 B. 1140
C. 1440 D. 1210
 27

24. A load W is to be lifted using the crane which is hinged at B 27. The total load W is to be lifted using the mast hinged at B.
as shown in the figure. The value of x1 is 10 m, x2 is 8 m, The mast is of uniform cross section and weighs 8 kN.
and h is 18 m. Neglecting the weight of the crane, a) What is the tensile force in the cable if W = 36 kN?
a) determine the force in cable AC. b) What is the vertical reaction at B if W = 36 kN?
b) determine the resultant reaction at B. c) If the allowable tensile force in the cable AC is 45 kN,
c) determine the largest load that can be lifted if the what is the maximum load W that can be lifted?
maximum force of cable AC is 50 kN.

28. The figure shows a circular steel plate supported on 3 posts.

25. A load of 6 kN is supported as shown. The pulley weighs A, B, and C are equally spaced along its circumference. A
2 kN. load W = 1350 N is at a distance x = 0.5 m from the post at
A along the x axis. Diameter of steel plate is 1.8 m.
a) Find the reaction at post A. Neglect weight of the steel
plate.
b) Find the reaction at post B. Neglect weight of the steel
plate.
c) Compute the reaction at C considering the weight of the
plate
if it has a thickness of 16 mm and has a unit weight of
77 kN/m3.

a) Which of the following most nearly gives the reaction

at C in kN?
A. 8 B. 10
C. 9 D. 11
b) Which of the following most nearly gives the reaction
at B in kN?
A. 30 B. 32 29. In the given figure, a = 1 m, P1 = 1.8 kN, P2 = 0.9 kN,
C. 41 D. 36 P3 = 0.45 kN, θ = 30°, β = 45°.
c) Which of the following most nearly gives the angle a) Determine the resultant of the three forces.
that the reaction at B make with the horizontal? b) Determine the vertical reaction at B.
A. 21.5° B. 29.6° c) Determine the horizontal reaction at B.
C. 24.8° D. 22.4°

26. A load W = 30 kN is lifted by a boom BCD making an angle

α = 60° from the vertical axis. Neglect the weight of the
boom.
a) Determine the angle β between the cables AC and AD.
b) Determine the horizontal reaction at B.
c) Determine the tension in the cable AC.

30. A force P acting at an angle α = 45° from the x axis along

the xy plane prevents the pole weighing 375 N from falling.
The pole leans against a frictionless wall at A. Given x =
3.15 m, z = 3.15 m, y = 4 m.
a. What is the force P in Newtons?
b. Determine the reaction at the wall at A in Newtons.
c. Calculate the vertical reaction at B in Newtons.
 28

34. A cantilever truss is pin-connected at joint D and is

supported by a roller at G. Spacing of trusses is 3 m. If the
wind load is 1.44 kPa,
a. Determine the horizontal reaction at the hinged
support.
b. Determine the stress in member AB.
c. Determine the stress in member BE.

31. A tripod supports the load W as shown in the figure. 35. A plane truss as shown in the figure is acted upon by 480 N
a. Determine the maximum load W that can be supported downward load at joints C and E and a 1200 N load at J
by the tripod if the capacity of each leg is limited to directed as shown.
10 kN. a) Find the reaction at G.
b. If the load W = 50 kN, calculate the force in the leg AD. b) Find the force acting on member AH.
c. If the load W = 50 kN, calculate the force in the leg AB. c) Find the force acting on member JD.

32. Pole AB is 12 m long and its weight W = 35 kN. It is being

lifted using cables BC and BD. When the pole is tilted at an
angle of 60° from the x axis, the resultant force acts at point 36. The transmission tower is subjected to lateral forces as
A. shown. Given a = 2.55 m, b = 1.8 m, c = 1.8 m, d = 1.5 m,
a. Find the tensile force in cable BC. F1 = 3 kN, F2 = 5 kN, F3 = 7 kN.
b. Find the tensile force in cable BD. a. Find the resultant reaction at support A.
c. What is the value of the resultant acting at point A? b. What is the resultant reaction at support B?
c. What is the force in member FJ?

33. The magnitude of the force acting in member BC of the

truss shown is
A. 2 B. 3
C. 4 D. 5
 29

37. A three-hinged arch is shown in the figure.

a) Which of the following most nearly gives the vertical 40. A suspension cable is supported at A and B 120 m
reaction at A in KiloNewtons: horizontally apart with B higher than A by 48m.
A. 31 B. 36 Concentrated loads of 100 kN, 200 kN and 100 kN were
C. 28 D. 23 applied at a distance of 30 m, 60 m and 90 m respectively
b) Which of the following most nearly gives the total from A. The cable sags a distance of 30 m measured from
reaction at the hinge in KiloNewtons: the chord AB at the point where the 200 kN is applied.
A. 45.2 B. 85.6 Compute the horizontal reaction at the supports.
C. 54.1 D. 32.3 A. 300 kN B. 200 kN
c) Which of the following most nearly gives the total C. 400 kN D. 500 kN
reaction at B in KiloNewtons:
A. 32.3 B. 45.2
C. 85.6 D. 54.1

38. The figure shows a portable seat braced by a cable FG. The
permissible tension in the cable is 1800 N. Surface C, A, and
E are frictionless.
a. What load W can the seat safely carry?
b. If W = 1500 N, what is the reaction at C?
c. If W = 1500 N, what is the reaction at A?

41. For the cable loaded as shown in the figure.

a) Which of the following gives the value of the stress of

BC?
b) Which of the following gives the value of β1?
c) Which of the following gives the total length of the
cable?

39. A suspension cable is supported at A and B 120 m 42. For the cable shown
horizontally apart with B higher than A by 15 m. The cable
sags a distance of 10 m. from the chord joining A and B at
the midspan. Compute the horizontal reaction at the
supports.
A. 1800 kN B. 1400 kN
C. 1200 kN D. 1000 kN
 30

a) Which of the following most nearly gives the tension

in segment CD, in kilonewton:
A. 7.3 B. 6.8
C. 5.2 D. 6.9
b) Which of the following most nearly gives the tension
in segment AB, in kilonewton:
A. 6.8 B. 5.2
C. 6.9 D. 7.3
c) Which of the following most nearly gives the value of
h in meters:
A. 2.74 B. 2.57
46. The coefficient of friction between the 60 kN block and the
C. 2.32 D. 3.12
plane shown is 0.30. If the block is to remain in
equilibrium, what is the maximum allowable magnitude
43. The horizontal distance from A at one end of the river to
for the force P?
frame C at the other end is 20 m. The cable carries a load
A. 12 B. 18
W = 50 kN.
C. 15 D. 21
a. At what distance from A is the load W such that the
tension in segment AD of the cable is equal to that in
segment CD?
b. When the load W is at distance x1 = 5 m from A, the sag
in the cable is 1 m. Calculate the tension in segment DC
of the cable.
c. If the sag in the cable is 1 m at a distance x1 = 5 m, what
is the total length of the cable?

47. A 200 kg. crate impends to side down a ramp inclined at an

angle of 19.29° with the horizontal. What is the frictional
resistance? Use g = 9.81 m/s2.
A. 618.15 N B. 638.15 N
C. 648.15 N D. 628.15 N

44. The suspended girder shown is supported by a series of

hangers, uniformly spaced along a parabolic cable.
a. What is the tension in the cable at midspan?
b. What is the vertical reaction at support A?
c. What is the resulting sag if the maximum tension in the
cable is 300 kN?

48. A 40-kg block is resting on an inclined plane making an

angle of 20° from the horizontal. If the coefficient of friction
is 0.60, determine the force parallel to the incline that must
be applied to cause impending motion down the plane. Use
g = 9.81.
A. 87 B. 82
C. 72 D. 77
45. The idealized model for a suspension bridge is shown. The
trusses are pin connected at D, on hinged support at C, and
on roller support at E. The parabolic cable is supported on
towers at AC and at BE.
a. Determine the tension in the cable at midlength.
b. Determine the vertical reaction at the pin at D.
c. Determine the total vertical force at the tower at AC.
d. Determine the maximum force in the cable.
 31

49. A 40 kg block is resting on an inclined plane making an 52. The weight of the cylindrical tank is negligible in
angle of 20° from the horizontal. If the coefficient of friction comparison to the weight of water
is 0.60, determine the force parallel to the inclined plane that it contains. The coefficient of static friction between the
must be applied to cause impending motion up the plane. tank and the horizontal surface μs.
A. 36.23 kg B. 28.42 kg a. Assuming a full tank, find the smallest force P
C. 19.62 kg D. 42.46 kg required to tip the tank.
b. Find the smallest coefficient of static friction that
would allow tipping to take place.
c. If the force P = 6.5 kN initiates tipping, determine the
depth of water in the tank.

50. The uniform 50-kg plank is resting on rough surfaces at A

and B. The coefficients of static friction are shown in the
figure. A 100-kg woman starts walking from A toward B. It
is required to determine the distance x when the plank starts
to slide.
53. A 5 cm. × 5 cm. square is cut from a corner of a 20 cm ×
30 cm cardboard. Find the centroid from the longest side.
A. 10.33 B. 12.06
C. 11.32 D. 13.02

a) Which of the following most nearly gives the total

reaction at B in Newtons.
A. 680 B. 690
C. 700 D. 670
b) Which of the following most nearly gives the total
reaction at A in Newtons. 54. For the shaded area a given in the figure.
A. 758 B. 742
C. 817 D. 863
c) Which of the following most nearly gives the value of x
in meters.
A. 1.73 B. 1.85
C. 1.62 D. 1.54

51. To prevent the ladder weighing 600 N from sliding down,

the man exerts a horizontal force at C. The coefficient of
friction at A = 0.2 while surface B is frictionless. a) Determine the area, in square meters.
a. Find the vertical reaction at A. A. 15.5 B. 39.4
b. Find the horizontal reaction at A. C. 26.4 D. 44.5
c. Find the horizontal force exerted by the man at C. b) Determine the x-coordinate of the centroid, in meters.
A. –0.18 B. –0.16
C. +0.18 D. +0.16
c) Determine the y-coordinate of the centroid, in meters.
A. 1.62 B. 1.45
C. 2.01 D. 1.75

55. The moment of inertia of an isosceles trapezoid with base

b = 600 mm and top a = 400 mm and depth d = 900 mm is
nearest to:
A. 50 × 109 mm4 B. 40 × 109 m4
9 4
C. 60 × 10 m D. 30 × 109 mm4