EE 2121: ENGINEERING MECHANICS

LEARNING MODULES

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 13
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 MODULE 1: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS
This aims to give you an overview of the fundamental concepts of forces. It will enable you
to analyze and resolve forces into components, as well as to reduce a system of forces into
a simpler equivalent system.

Recall your learnings from the course EnggPhys: Physics for

Engineers. Answer the following questions by writing your answers
in the space provided.

1. What is a force?

______________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the difference between mass and force? Which of them is considered as a
force?

______________________________________________________________________________

3. What is a moment?

______________________________________________________________________________

Read: Introductory Concepts (pp. 3-16), and Resultants of Force

Systems (pp. 17 – 23)
Singer, Ferdinand, Engineering Mechanics. 3rd ed. New York:
Harper and Row, 1980

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS

MECHANICS

- is a branch of the physical sciences that is concerned with the state of rest or
motion of bodies that are subjected to the action of forces. In general, mechanics can be
subdivided into three branches: rigid-body mechanics, deformable-body mechanics, and
fluid mechanics. Rigid-body mechanics is essential for the design and analysis of many
types of structural members, or mechanical components.

Rigid-body mechanics is divided into two areas: statics and dynamics.

▪ Statics deals with the equilibrium of bodies, that is, those that are either at rest or
move with a constant velocity.
▪ Dynamics is concerned with the accelerated motion of bodies.

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 14
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 FORCE
- is defined as an action of one body on another
- is any interaction that, when unopposed, will change the motion of an object. A
force can cause an object with mass to change its velocity which includes to begin
moving from a state of rest. A force has both magnitude and direction, making it
a vector quantity.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A FORCE
1. Magnitude

2. Direction or sense

3. Position of its line of action

EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL EFFECTS OF A FORCE

The action of a force on a body can be separated into two effects – external and internal.

Consider the bracket below,

The external force to the bracket are the reactive forces (not
shown) exerted on the bracket by the foundation and bolts
because of the action of P. Forces external to a body can be
either applied forces or reactive forces.

The effects of internal force to the bracket are the resulting

internal forces and deformations distributed throughout the
material of the bracket.

PRINCIPLE OF TRANSMISSIBILITY

States that a force may be applied at any point on its

given line of action without altering the resultant effects
of the force external to the rigid body on which it acts.

AXIOMS OF MECHANICS

Postulated upon self-evident facts which are not/cannot be proven mathematically

but are demonstrated to be true.

1. Parallelogram Law

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 15
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 2. Two forces are in equilibrium only when equal magnitude, opposite in direction, and
collinear in action.
3. A set of forces in equilibrium may be added to any systems of forces without
changing the effect of the original system.
4. Action and reaction forces are equal but oppositely directed.

TYPES OF FORCES

1. Coplanar Forces – when all the forces of a system lie in one plane
2. Concurrent Forces – forces whose line of action pass thru a common point
3. Parallel Forces – forces whose lines of action are parallel
4. Collinear Forces – forces that act on a single line of action

Force System
- it is any arrangement where two or more forces act on a body or on a group of
related bodies.

TYPES OF FORCE SYSTEMS

1. Coplanar Concurrent
2. Coplanar Non – concurrent
3. Coplanar Parallel
4. Non – Planar Concurrent
5. Non – coplanar Non – concurrent
6. Non coplanar Parallel

RESOLUTION OF FORCES

When a given force is replaced by two components which are equivalent to the
given force

COMPONENTS OF FORCE

Forces acting at some angle from the coordinate axes that can be resolved into
mutually perpendicular forces called components. The component of a force parallel to
the x-axis is called the x-component, parallel to y-axis the y-component, and so on.

Rectangular Components of a Force in Two Dimensions

𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑥 = 𝐹 𝑠𝑖𝑛θ𝑦

𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹 sin θ𝑥 = 𝐹 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑦

2
𝐹 = √(𝐹𝑥 )2 + (𝐹𝑦 )

𝐹𝑦
tan θ𝑥 =
𝐹𝑥

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 16
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 Using the slope:

𝑐 = √𝑎 2 + 𝑏 2
𝑏
𝐹𝑋 = ( ) 𝐹
𝑐
𝑎
𝐹𝑦 = ( ) 𝐹
𝑐
2
𝐹 = √(𝐹𝑥 )2 + (𝐹𝑦 )

𝐹𝑦
tan θ𝑥 =
𝐹𝑥

The rectangular components 𝐹𝑥 and 𝐹𝑦 are considered POSITIVE if they are in the positive
directions of the x – and y – axes and NEGATIVE if directed oppositely.

Note: the orientation of the x – and y – axes is arbitrary.

Each of the two vector components may be written as a scalar times the appropriate unit
vector. In terms of the unit vectors i and j of the figure on the left, Fx = Fxi and Fy =Fyj, and
thus we may write
𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗

COUPLE

The moment produced by two equal, opposite, and noncollinear forces is called a
couple. Couples have certain unique properties and have important applications in
mechanics.

𝑀 = 𝐹 (𝑎 + 𝑑 ) − 𝐹𝑎

𝑀 = 𝐹𝑑

Equivalent Couples

If two couples produce a moment with the same magnitude and direction, then
these two couples are equivalent.

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 17
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 Resultant Couple Moment

Since couple moments are vectors, their resultant can be determined by vector
addition.
𝑀𝑅 = 𝑀1 + 𝑀2

Moment of a Force

Moment is the measure of the capacity or ability of the force to produce twisting or
turning effect about an axis. This axis is perpendicular to the plane containing the line of
action of the force. The magnitude of moment is equal to the product of the force and the
perpendicular distance (lever arm/moment arm) from the axis to the line of action of the
force.

Moment about a Point

The magnitude of the moment or tendency of the force to rotate the body about
the axis O-O perpendicular to the plane of the body is proportional both to the magnitude
of the force and to the moment arm d, which is the perpendicular distance from the axis to
the line of action of the force.
𝑀 = 𝐹𝑑 (𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟)

𝑀 = 𝑟 × 𝐹 (𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟)

Moment directions may be accounted for by

using a stated sign convention, such as a plus sign
(+) for counterclockwise moments and a minus
sign (-) for clockwise moments, or vice versa

Cartesian Vector Formulation

If the x, y and z coordinate axes are established, then the
position vector r and F can be expressed as Cartesian vectors;
𝒊 𝒋 𝒌
𝑀𝑜 = 𝑟 𝑥 𝐹 = | 𝑟𝑥 𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑧 |
𝐹𝑥 𝐹𝑦 𝐹𝑧

Where:
𝑟𝑥 , 𝑟𝑦 , 𝑟𝑧 represent the x, y, z components of the position vector
drawn from point O to any point on the line of action of the
force

𝐹𝑥 , 𝐹𝑦 , 𝐹𝑧 represent the x, y, z components of the force vector

If the determinant is expanded, then

𝑀𝑜 = (𝑟𝑦 𝐹𝑧 − 𝑟𝑧 𝐹𝑦 )𝒊 − (𝑟𝑥 𝐹𝑧 − 𝑟𝑧 𝐹)𝒋 + (𝑟𝑥 𝐹𝑦 − 𝑟𝑦 𝐹𝑥 )𝒌

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 18
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 Varignon’s Theorem
The moment of a force about any point is equal to the sum of the moments of the
components of the force about the same point.

Sign Convention

It doesn’t matter in which direction you apply the sign convention as long as you remain
CONSISTENT. For instance:
If a moment is rotating CLOCKWISE (↻) it is considered a POSITIVE moment.
If a moment is rotating COUNTERCLOCKWISE it is considered a NEGATIVE (↺) moment.

To help you understand the topic better, please analyze the

following sample problems:

▪ COMPONENTS OF A FORCE
1. Determine the x and y components of F1, F2 and F3 acting on the bracket.
Express each force as a Cartesian vector.

Required: the x – y components of each force, expressed

as a Cartesian vector

Solution:
• For 𝐹1
𝐹1𝑥 = 600 cos 35° = 491.491 𝑁 →
𝐹1𝑦 = 600 sin 35° = 344.146 𝑁 ↑
∴ 𝑭𝟏 = (𝟒𝟗𝟏. 𝟒𝟗𝟏𝒊 + 𝟑𝟒𝟒. 𝟏𝟒𝟔𝒋) 𝑵

• For 𝐹2
4
𝐹2𝑥 = − (500) = −400 𝑁 = 400 𝑁 ←
5
3
𝐹2𝑦 = (500) = 300 𝑁 ↑
5
∴ 𝑭𝟐 = (−𝟒𝟎𝟎𝒊 + 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝒋) 𝑵

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 19
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 • For 𝐹3
The slope of 𝐹3 can be obtained by using the dimensions given

0.3m + 0.1m = 0.4m √(0.4𝑚)2 + (0.2𝑚)2 = 0.447𝑚

0.4m – 0.2m = 0.2m

0.2
𝐹3𝑥 = (800) = 357.941 𝑁 →
0.447
0.4
𝐹3𝑦 = − (800) = −715.542 𝑁 = 715.542 𝑁 ↓
0.447
∴ 𝑭𝟑 = (𝟑𝟓𝟕. 𝟗𝟒𝟏𝒊 − 𝟕𝟏𝟓. 𝟓𝟒𝟐𝒋) 𝑵

2. The force F acts on the frame. Resolve the force into components acting along
members AB and AC, and determine the magnitude of each component.

Required: 𝐹𝐴𝐶 and 𝐹𝐴𝐵

Solution:
Since there are three (3) forces involved, we construct the equivalent force triangle,

45°
450 lb
AB
105°

30° AC

By using sine law,

• For AC
𝐴𝐶 450 𝑙𝑏
=
sin 45 ° sin 30°
∴ 𝑨𝑪 = 𝟔𝟑𝟔. 𝟑𝟗𝟔 𝒍𝒃

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 20
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 • For AB
𝐴𝐵 450 𝑙𝑏
=
sin 105 ° sin 30°
∴ 𝑨𝑩 = 𝟖𝟔𝟗. 𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝒍𝒃

3. The body on the incline is subjected to the vertical and horizontal forces shown. Find
the components of each force along the x - y axes oriented parallel and
perpendicular to the incline.

Required: 𝑃𝑥 , 𝑃𝑦 , 𝐹𝑥 and 𝐹𝑦

Solution: 𝑷 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝒍𝒃

𝜃
𝑭 = 𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝒍𝒃 𝜃
𝜃

3
𝜃
4

• For 𝑃𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃𝑦 ,
3
𝑃𝑥 = − (1200) = −720 𝑙𝑏
5
𝑷𝒙 = 𝟕𝟐𝟎 𝒍𝒃 ↙
4
𝑃𝑦 = − (1200) = −960 𝑙𝑏
5
𝑷𝒙 = 𝟗𝟔𝟎 𝒍𝒃 ↘

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 21
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 • For 𝐹𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑦 ,
4
𝐹𝑥 = (400) = 320 𝑙𝑏
5
𝑭𝒙 = 𝟑𝟐𝟎 𝒍𝒃 ↗
3
𝐹𝑦 = − (400) = −240 𝑙𝑏
5
𝑭𝒙 = 𝟐𝟒𝟎 𝒍𝒃 ↘

4. Determine the components of force P along the x – y axes which are parallel and
perpendicular to the incline.

Required: 𝑃𝑥 and 𝑃𝑦

Solution:

𝛼 𝑃𝑦
𝜃
𝛽
𝑃𝑥

𝜃= 𝛼+ 𝛽
2
𝛼 = tan−1 ( ) = 33.690°
3
−1
3
𝛽 = tan ( ) = 36.870°
4
𝜃 = 33.690° + 36.870° = 70.560°

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 22
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 • For 𝑃𝑥 and 𝑃𝑦
𝑃𝑥 = 361 cos 70.56° = 120.148 𝑙𝑏
𝑷𝒙 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎. 𝟏𝟒𝟖 𝒍𝒃 ↖

𝑃𝑦 = 361 sin 70.56° = 340.420 𝑙𝑏

𝑷𝒚 = 𝟑𝟒𝟎. 𝟒𝟐𝟎 𝒍𝒃 ↙

▪ COUPLE and MOMENT OF A FORCE

5. In the figure given, assuming clockwise moments as positive, compute the moment
of force F = 450 lb and of force P = 361 lb about points A, B, C and D.

Required: 𝑀𝐴𝐹 , 𝑀𝐵𝐹 , 𝑀𝐶𝐹 , 𝑀𝐷𝐹 and 𝑀𝐴𝑃 , 𝑀𝐵𝑃 , 𝑀𝐶𝑃 , 𝑀𝐷𝑃

Solution:
Resolve forces F and P into its components by using
their individual slopes (slope can be based on the
grid/squares)

• For 𝐹𝑥 , 𝐹𝑦 , 𝑃𝑥 and 𝑃𝑦
4
𝐹𝑥 = (450) = 360 𝑙𝑏
5
3
𝐹𝑦 = (450) = 270 𝑙𝑏
5
2
𝑃𝑥 = (361) = 200.247 𝑙𝑏
√13
3
𝑃𝑦 = (361) = 300.370 𝑙𝑏
√13

• For 𝑀𝐴𝐹
𝐹 𝐹𝑦
𝑀𝐴𝐹 = 𝑀𝐴𝑥 + 𝑀𝐴
𝑀𝐴𝐹 = 0 + (−270)(5)
𝑀𝐴𝐹 = −1350 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡
𝑴𝑭𝑨 = 𝟏𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝒍𝒃 − 𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 23
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 • For 𝑀𝐵𝐹
𝐹 𝐹𝑦
𝑀𝐵𝐹 = 𝑀𝐵𝑥 + 𝑀𝐵
𝑀𝐵𝐹 = (360)(6) + 0
𝑴𝑭𝑩 = 𝟐𝟏𝟔𝟎 𝒍𝒃 − 𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆

• For 𝑀𝐶𝐹
𝐹 𝐹𝑦
𝑀𝐶𝐹 = 𝑀𝐶𝑥 + 𝑀𝐶
𝑀𝐶𝐹 = (360)(3) + (270)(1)
𝑴𝑭𝑪 = 𝟏𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝒍𝒃 − 𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆

• For 𝑀𝐷𝐹
𝐹 𝐹𝑦
𝑀𝐷𝐹 = 𝑀𝐷𝑥 + 𝑀𝐷
𝑀𝐷𝐹 = (360)(3) − (270)(5)
𝑴𝑭𝑫 = 𝟖𝟏𝟎 𝒍𝒃 − 𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆

• For 𝑀𝐴𝑃
𝑃 𝑃𝑦
𝑀𝐴𝑃 = 𝑀𝐴 𝑥 + 𝑀𝐴
𝑀𝐴𝑃 = (−200.247)(6) + (300.370)(4)
𝑀𝐴𝑃 = −0.002 ≈ 0
𝑴𝑷𝑨 = 𝟎 the line of action of force P passes through point A; therefore, force P does
not create any moment with respect to point A

• For 𝑀𝐵𝑃
𝑃 𝑃𝑦
𝑀𝐵𝑃 = 𝑀𝐵𝑥 + 𝑀𝐵
𝑀𝐵𝑃 = (0) + (−300.370)(1)
𝑀𝐵𝑃 = −300.370 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡
𝑴𝑷𝑩 = 𝟑𝟎𝟎. 𝟑𝟕𝟎 𝒍𝒃 − 𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆

• For 𝑀𝐶𝑃
𝑃 𝑃𝑦
𝑀𝐶𝑃 = 𝑀𝐶𝑥 + 𝑀𝐶
𝑀𝐶𝑃 = (−200.247)(3) + (−300.370)(2)
𝑀𝐶𝑃 = −1201.481 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡
𝑴𝑷𝑪 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟏. 𝟒𝟖𝟏 𝒍𝒃 − 𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆

• For 𝑀𝐶𝑃
𝑃 𝑃𝑦
𝑀𝐷𝑃 = 𝑀𝐷𝑥 + 𝑀𝐷
𝑀𝐷𝑃 = (0) + (300.370)(4)
𝑴𝑷𝑫 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟏. 𝟒𝟖𝟏 𝒍𝒃 − 𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 24
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 6. If the moment of F about C is 750 lb – ft, find its moment about D.

Required: 𝑀𝐷𝐹 , if 𝑀𝐶𝐹 = 750 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡 (clockwise)

Solution:
• For 𝐹𝑦
𝐹 𝐹𝑦
𝑀𝐶𝐹 = 𝑀𝐶𝑥 + 𝑀𝐶
750 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡 = 0 + 𝐹𝑦 (5)
𝐹𝑦 = 150 𝑙𝑏

• For F and 𝐹𝑥
3
𝐹𝑦 = (𝐹)
5
3
150 = (𝐹)
5
𝐹 = 250 𝑙𝑏

4
𝐹𝑥 = (𝐹)
5
4
𝐹𝑥 = (250)
5
𝐹𝑥 = 200 𝑙𝑏

• For 𝑀𝐷𝐹
𝐹 𝐹𝑦
𝑀𝐷𝐹 = 𝑀𝐷𝑥 + 𝑀𝐷
𝑀𝐷𝐹 = (200)(3) + (−150)(1)
𝑴𝑭𝑫 = 𝟒𝟓𝟎 𝒍𝒃 − 𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 25
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 7. Determine the resultant couple acting on the plate.

Required: Resultant Couple, 𝑀𝑅

Solution:
𝑀1 = 𝐹1 (𝑑)
𝑀1 = (200)(4)
𝑀1 = 800 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒

𝑀2 = 𝐹2 (𝑑)
𝑀2 = −(450)(3)

𝑀2 = −1350 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡
𝑀2 = 1350 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒

𝑀3 = 𝐹3 (𝑑)
𝑀3 = (300)(5)
𝑀3 = 1500 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒

• For 𝑀𝑅
𝑀𝑅 = 𝑀1 + 𝑀2 + 𝑀3
𝑀𝑅 = 800 − 1350 + 1500
𝑴𝑹 = 𝟗𝟓𝟎 𝒍𝒃 − 𝒇𝒕 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 26
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 8. Determine the value of F acting on the beam so that the resultant couple moment is
1.5 kN - m clockwise.

Required: F so that 𝑀𝑅 = 1.5 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚 ↻

Solution:

• For F

𝑀𝑅 = ∑ 𝑀 ↻ +

1.5 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚 = 𝐹 (0.9) − 2(0.3)

𝑭 = 𝟐. 𝟑𝟑𝟑 𝒌𝑵

9. Calculate the magnitude of the moment about the base point O of the 600 - N
force.

Required: Moment about the base point O, 𝑀𝑜

Solution:

▪ By components
𝐹𝑥 = 600 cos 40° = 459.627 𝑁
𝐹𝑦 = 600 sin 40° = 385.673 𝑁

• For 𝑀𝑜
𝑀𝑜 = ∑ 𝑀0𝐹 ↻ +

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 27
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 𝑀𝑜 = 385.673 (2) + 459.627 (4)
𝑴𝒐 = 𝟐𝟔𝟎𝟗. 𝟖𝟓𝟐 𝑵 − 𝒎 ↻

▪ By the principle of transmissibility,

Transfer the 600 – N load to point B

40° B
𝐹𝑥
x

600 N
• For x, 𝐹𝑦
Consider the right triangle,

4𝑚
tan 40° = ; 𝑥 = 4.767 𝑚
𝑥
4m
40°
x

• For 𝑀𝑜
𝑀𝑜 = ∑ 𝑀0𝐹 ↻ +
𝑀𝑜 = 385.673 (2 + 4.767)
𝑴𝒐 = 𝟐𝟔𝟎𝟗. 𝟖𝟓𝟐 𝑵 − 𝒎 ↻

The following problems are given to assess your ability to solve for
problems involving force/s, couples and moments of a force.

Instructions: Solve for what is asked in each problem. Refer to the format and guidelines
presented in the Assignment Guide.

1. Determine the component of each force along the specified x – y axes. Refer figure
1.

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 28
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 2. If force F is to have a component along the u axis of Fu = 6kN, determine the
magnitude of F and the magnitude of its component Fv along the v axis. Refer to
figure 2.

Figure 1 Figure 2

3. Determine the components of force F along the x – y axes which are parallel and
perpendicular to the incline. Refer to figure 3.

4. In raising the pole from the position shown, the tension T in the cable must supply a
counterclockwise moment about point O of 72 kN – m. Determine T. Refer to figure 4

Figure 3
Figure 4

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 29
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.
 5. Determine the moment of the 360N about a) point A, and b) point B

▪ For students who are on the online mode, detailed instructions are provided in your
GOOGLE CLASSROOM which will guide you in utilizing learning materials, performing
learning activities, accomplishing requirements, and formatting/ saving reports and
outputs for ONLINE submission

Property of and for the exclusive use of SLU. Reproduction, storing in a retrieval system, distributing, uploading or posting online, or transmitting in any form or by any 30
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise of any part of this document, without the prior written permission of SLU, is strictly prohibited.