1|EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCUR RENT FORCE SYSTEM

MODULE 4 – EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

Description:

This module looks into the concept of Free-Body Diagram and Equilibrium of a Particle

Objectives:

After completing the module, the students are expected to:

1. Draw / sketch free-body diagram of a particle.

2. Solve problems regarding equilibrium of a particle.
Contents:

I. Equilibrium of a Particle
II. Problems Solving involving equilibrium of a particle

Discussion:

I. Equilibrium of a Particle
The particle is in equilibrium if the resultant of the forces is equal to zero.

Two equations of equilibrium:

1. Σ Fx = 0
2. Σ Fy = 0
Case I:

A particle which is acted upon by two forces will be in equilibrium if the two forces have the
same magnitude, same line of action but opposite sense.

F1
β
F 1 = F2
β

F2

Case II:

A particle which is acted upon by three or more forces will be in equilibrium if the polygon
produced, by using Tip-to-Tail method, will close.

F4 F1 F1
F2

F3
F4
F3
F2

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Compiled By: JUANITA CARMELITA R. ZOLETA
Reviewed By: ROWEL D. WAJE
2|EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCUR RENT FORCE SYSTEM

II. Problems Solving involving Equilibrium of a Particle by Component Method:

1. The 1200 kg car is being lowered slowly onto the dock using the hoist A and winch C. Determine the
forces in cables BA and BC for the position shown.

Required:

Forces in cables BA (FA) and BC (FC)

Solution:

Free-body diagram at point B:

Fx = 0 → 
FA
FC x − FA x = 0
7 11
28 FC − FA = 0
11
B 58 905
3 58  11 
7 FC =  FA 
FC 7  905 
1200 kg = 11772 N
FC = 0.398FA → eq.1

Fy = 0  
eq.1 = eq.2
FA y − FC y − 11772 = 0
0.398FA = 2.363FA − 29884.29
28 3
FA − FC − 11772 = 0 2.363FA − 0.398FA = 29884.29
905 58
FA = 15208.29 N
58  28 
FC =  FA − 11772  FC = 6052.90 N
3  905 
FC = 2.363FA − 29884.29 → eq.2

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Compiled By: JUANITA CARMELITA R. ZOLETA
Reviewed By: ROWEL D. WAJE
3|EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCUR RENT FORCE SYSTEM

2. The system of knotted cord shown support the indicated weights. Determine the tension in each cord.

B 105˚ E
A
55˚
85˚
400 N
D

300 N

Free Body Diagram of the whole system:

T2 Required:

45˚ Tension in cords:

B T4
T1 60˚
30˚ BA (T1),
30˚ 55˚

400 N D BC (T2),

BD (T3),
300 N

DE (T4)

Free-body diagram oh knot B: Free-body diagram of knot D:

T2 T3 T4

45˚ 30˚ 55˚

B 60˚
T1 60˚ D
30˚
T3
400 N 300 N

Consider FBD of knot D:

Fx = 0 → 
Fy = 0  
T4 sin 55 − T3 cos 60 = 0
T4 cos 55 + T3 sin 60 − 300 = 0
T4 sin 55 = T3 cos 60
T4 cos 55 + T3 sin 60 = 300 → eq.2
T4 = 0.61T3 → eq.1

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Compiled By: JUANITA CARMELITA R. ZOLETA
Reviewed By: ROWEL D. WAJE
4|EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCUR RENT FORCE SYSTEM

Substitute eq. 1 in eq. 2:

0.61T3 cos 55 + T3 sin 60 = 300

T3 = 246.73 N
T4 = 150.50 N

Consider FBD of knot B:

Fy = 0  
T2 sin 45 − 246.73 sin 60 − 400 = 0
T2
T2 = 867.867 N

B 45˚
T1 60˚
30˚
T3 = 246.73 N Fx = 0 → 
400 N T2 cos 45 + 246.73 cos 60 − T1 = 0
T1 = 867.867 cos 45 + 246.73 cos 60
T1 = 737.04 N

3. Determine the magnitude and direction of F 4 if the four concurrent forces are in equilibrium.

Y
F4

F3 = 60 N θ X

1
30˚
2
F2 = 75 N
F1 = 90N

Required: Magnitude and direction of F4 to maintain equilibrium

Solution:

Fx = 0 →  Fy = 0  
2 1
F4 cos  + F1 sin 30 − F2 − F3 = 0 F4 sin  − F1 cos 30 − F2 = 0
5 5
2 1
F4 cos  + 90 sin 30 − 75 − 60 = 0 F4 sin  − 90 cos 30 − (75) = 0
5 5
F4 cos  = 82.08 → eq.1 F4 sin  = 111.48 → eq.2

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Compiled By: JUANITA CARMELITA R. ZOLETA
Reviewed By: ROWEL D. WAJE
5|EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCUR RENT FORCE SYSTEM

divide eq. 2 by eq. 1:

F4 sin  = 111.48
F4 cos  = 82.08
sin 
tan  = 1.358 tan  =
cos 
 = 53.64

Substitute θ = 53.64° in eq. 1:

F4 cos 53.64 = 82.08

F4 = 138.45 N

 F4 = 138.45N @ 53.64NofE

4. Determine the magnitude of F3 and the direction of F4 if the four concurrent forces are in equilibrium.

Y
F2 = 60 N F4 = 85 N

45˚ θ4
X Required:
F1 = 100 N
Magnitude of F3 & F4
30˚

F3

Solution:

Using ROTATED AXIS METHOD:

Y’ Y’

Y F4 = 85 N Y F4 = 85 N

F2 = 60 N F2 = 60 N
θ4 - 30 θ4 - 30
X’ X’
75° 75°
45˚ θ4 30˚ 30˚
X X
F1 = 100 N F1 = 100 N

30˚ 30˚
F3 F3

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Compiled By: JUANITA CARMELITA R. ZOLETA
Reviewed By: ROWEL D. WAJE
6|EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCUR RENT FORCE SYSTEM

Rotate the axis 30° clockwise

Y’
Fx = 0 → 
F2 = 60 N
85 cos( 4 − 30) + 100 cos 30 − 60 cos 75 = 0
F4 = 85 N
cos( 4 − 30) = −.836
75° θ4 - 30 ( 4 − 30) = 146.74
X’
30˚  4 = 176.74
F1 = 100 N
Fy = 0  
F3
60 sin 75 + 85 sin 146.74 − 100 sin 30 − F3 = 0
F3 = 54.57 N

Answer:

Y
F2 = 60 N

F4 = 85 N 45˚ θ4 =146.74°

X
F1 = 100 N

30˚

F3 = 54.57N

Problems:

1. Two cables are tied together at C and loaded as shown. Determine the tension in cables AC and
BC.

30 ⁰

30 kg 40 ⁰

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Compiled By: JUANITA CARMELITA R. ZOLETA
Reviewed By: ROWEL D. WAJE
7|EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCUR RENT FORCE SYSTEM

2. The members of the truss are connected to the gusset plate as shown. If the forces are
concurrent at point O, determine the magnitude of F and T for equilibrium. Take θ = 90O

References:

1. Vector Mechanics for Engineers 10th Edition, Beer, F.P., Johnston, E.R.Jr,
Mazurek, D.F., Cornwell, P.J.2013

2. Engineering Mechanics Statics 13th Edition, Hibbeler, R.C.,2013

3. Engineering Mechanics Statics 14th Edition, Hibbeler, R.C.,2016

4. Engineering Mechanics Statics 3rd Edition, Pytel, A., Kiusalaas, J., 2010

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Compiled By: JUANITA CARMELITA R. ZOLETA
Reviewed By: ROWEL D. WAJE