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Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces

Topics:
1. Resultant of two or more Concurrent Coplanar Forces
2. Resultant of two or more Parallel Coplanar Forces
3. Resultant of two or more Non-Concurrent Coplanar Forces

Intended Learning Outcomes:

1. Breakdown a force into components in three dimensions.
2. Use these components to determine the resultant of a 3D force system
Discussion:

Rectangular Components in Three-Dimensional Force Systems

y

Fy
F 𝑭𝒙 = 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒙
θy
𝑭𝒚 = 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒚
θx
Fx 𝑭𝒛 = 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒛
x
Fz
θz 𝑭 = √(𝑭𝒙 )𝟐 + (𝑭𝒚 )𝟐 + (𝑭𝒛 )𝟐

 Components in Three-Dimensional Force passing two points

𝐹𝑦 𝑭 𝑭𝒙 𝑭𝒚 𝑭𝒛
𝐹𝑧 𝒅
= 𝒙
= 𝒚
= 𝒛
𝑦
where:
𝐹
𝐹𝑥 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏
(𝑥2 , 𝑦2 , 𝑧2 ) 𝒚 = 𝒚𝟐 − 𝒚𝟏
𝒛 = 𝒛𝟐 − 𝒛𝟏
(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 , 𝑧1 )
𝑥 𝒅 = √𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐

Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces/JsLumbab

𝑧
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Rectangular Components in Three-Dimensional Force Systems

Fy
F
θy

θx
Fx
x
Fz
θz

z
𝑭𝒙 = 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒙 , 𝑭𝒚 = 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒚 , 𝑭𝒛 = 𝑭𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝜽𝒛

𝑭 = √(𝑭𝒙 )𝟐 + (𝑭𝒚 )𝟐 + (𝑭𝒛 )𝟐

Resultant of Three-Dimensional Force System:

Consider a force in space
y

Fy

Θy
F
O Θx Fx
x
i
Θz

Fz

Force F can be resolved into three components, Fx, Fy, and Fz.

Directions:

Fx -----------> either left or right

Fy -----------> either up or down

Fz-----------> either forward or backward

Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces/JsLumbab

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Θx= angle made by F with the x-axis

Θy= angle made by F with the y-axis
Θz= angle made by F with the z-axis

If a line of action of F passes through two points in space: F is resolved at B

y

F
A (x2, y2, z2)
x
Fy

z
Fx
B (x1, y1, z1)
Fz
𝑭 𝑭𝒙 𝑭𝒚 𝑭𝒛
= = =
𝒅 𝒙 𝒚 𝒛

Where;

x = x2 – x1

y = y2 – y1

z = z2 – z 1

Note:

In solving for x, y, and z it is always the first point minus the second point (first point is the tail end point and
second point is the head point). The resulting sign can determine the direction of the component forces.

Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces/JsLumbab

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Sample Problem:

1. Refer to the figure below. The x, y. and z edges of a rectangular parallelepiped are 4, 3, and 2 m
respectively. If the diagonal OP drawn from the origin represents a 50-N force, determine the x, y,
and z components of the force. Express the force as a vector in terms of the unit vectors i, j, and k.
y

3m

x
O 4m
2m

Solution;

Solving for the components;

𝑃𝑥 = 𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑥 , 𝑃𝑦 = 𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑦 , 𝑃𝑧 = 𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑧

y

P
Py 3m

Px
O x
Pz 4m
2m

z
𝑥 𝑦 𝑧
Solving for the cos θx, cos θy, and cos θz; 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑥 = 𝑑, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑦 = 𝑑 , 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑧 = 𝑑

Length, 𝑑 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 = √42 + 32 + 2 = 5.38

4 3 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑥 = 5.38, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑦 = 5.38, 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑧 = 5.38

Based on the illustration each component is in the positive direction of the axis along which it acts.
4
𝑃𝑥 = 𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑥 = 50𝑁 ( ) = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟏𝟕 𝑵
5.38
3
𝑃𝑦 = 𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑦 = 50𝑁 (5.38) = 𝟐𝟕. 𝟖𝟖𝑵

2
𝑃𝑧 = 𝑃𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃𝑧 = 50𝑁 (5.38) = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟓𝟗𝑵

The vector; 𝑃 = 𝑃𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑃𝑦 𝑗 + 𝑃𝑧 𝑘 = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟏𝟕 𝒊 + 𝟐𝟕. 𝟖𝟖𝒋 + 𝟏𝟖. 𝟓𝟗𝒌

Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces/JsLumbab

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Sample Problem:

2. A force F = 2.63i + 4.28j - 5.92k N acts through the origin. What is the magnitude of this force and
what angles does it make with the x, y, and z axes?

Solution;

From a vector form: 𝐹 = 𝐹𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹𝑧 𝑘

From the given vector: F = 2.63i + 4.28j - 5.92k;

Fx = 2.63 N, Fy = 4.28 N, Fz = -5.92 N

So,

𝐹 = √𝐹𝑥 2 + 𝐹𝑦 2 + 𝐹𝑧 2 = √(2.63)2 + (4.28)2 + (−5.92)2 = 𝟕. 𝟕𝟔 𝑵

Direction of F => Backward Up to the Right

𝐹𝑥 2.63
cos 𝜃𝑥 = = ; 𝜃𝑥 = 𝟕𝟎. 𝟐𝟎
𝐹 7.76
𝐹𝑦 4.28
cos 𝜃𝑦 = = ; 𝜃𝑦 = 𝟓𝟔. 𝟑𝟎
𝐹 7.76
𝐹𝑧 5.92
cos 𝜃𝑧 = = ; 𝜃𝑧 = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟐𝟖
𝐹 7.76

Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces/JsLumbab

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Resultant of Three Dimensional Forces:

𝑹 = √(𝜮𝑭𝒙 )𝟐 + (𝜮𝑭𝒚 )𝟐 + (𝜮𝑭𝒛 )𝟐

𝑹 𝑹𝒙 𝑹𝒚 𝑹𝒛
= = =
𝒅 𝒙 𝒚 𝒛

where: 𝑹𝒙 = 𝜮𝑭𝒙 ; 𝑹𝒚 = 𝜮𝑭𝒚 ; 𝑹𝒛 = 𝜮𝑭𝒛

Sample Problem

3. Three concurrent forces P, Q, and F have a resultant of 5 lb directed forward up to the right at θ x =
600, θy = 600, and θz = 450. The value of P = 20 lb and passes through the origin and the point (2, 1,
4), the value of Q is also 20 lb and passes through the origin and the point (5, 2, 3). Determine the
magnitude of the third force F. Ans: F = 33.67 lb (directed backward up to the right)

Solution:
y

Q (5, 2, 3)
F

z
R x
Solving for Rx , Ry , and Rz:

P (2, 1, 4) Rx = 5 lb cos60 = 2.5 lb

Ry = 5 lb cos60 = 2.5 lb

Rz = 5 lb cos45 = 3.535 lb

Solving for Px , Py , and Pz:

P Px Py Pz
= = =
d x y z

x=2–0=2
y=1–0=1
z=4–0=4

𝒅 = √𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐

Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces/JsLumbab

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d = 4. 583
20 lb Px Py Pz
= = =
4.583 2 1 4
𝑃𝑥 = 8.728 𝑙𝑏, 𝑃𝑦 = 4.364 𝑙𝑏, 𝑃𝑧 = 17.456 𝑙𝑏

Solving for Qx , Qy , and

Q Qx Qy Qz
= = =
d x y z

x=5–0=5
y=2–0=2
z=3–0=3

𝒅 = √𝒙𝟐 + 𝒚𝟐 + 𝒛𝟐

d = 6.164
20 lb Qx Qy Qz
= = =
6.164 5 2 3
Qx = 16.223 lb, Qy = 6.489 lb, Qz = 9.734 lb,

Solve F:

𝑅𝑥 = 𝐹𝑥 + 𝑃𝑥 + 𝑄𝑥 , 2.5𝑙𝑏 = 𝐹𝑥 + 8.728𝑙𝑏 + 16.223𝑙𝑏, 𝑭𝒙 = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟒𝟓𝟏𝒍𝒃

𝑅𝑦 = 𝐹𝑦 + 𝑃𝑦 + 𝑄𝑦 , 2.5𝑙𝑏 = 𝐹𝑦 + 4.364𝑙𝑏 + 6.489𝑙𝑏, 𝑭𝒚 = −𝟖. 𝟑𝟓𝟑𝒍𝒃

𝑅𝑧 = 𝐹𝑧 + 𝑃𝑧 + 𝑄𝑧 , 3.535𝑙𝑏 = 𝐹𝑧 + 17.456𝑙𝑏 + 9.734𝑙𝑏, 𝑭𝒛 = −𝟐𝟑. 𝟔𝟓𝟓𝒍𝒃

𝐹 = √(𝐹𝑥 )2 + (𝐹𝑦 )2 + (𝐹𝑧 )2 𝑭 = 𝟑𝟑. 𝟔𝟕 𝒍𝒃

Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces/JsLumbab

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Moment of a Force About an Axis

Moment of a force about an axis is a measure of its rotational effect about an axis.

𝑴 = 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝒙 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆

Consider a force in space:

Fy

Fz

Fx
y
z
x z x

Take moment about the x-axis: 𝑴𝒙 = 𝑭𝒚 (𝒛) + 𝑭𝒛 (𝒚)

Take moment about the y-axis: 𝑴𝒚 = 𝑭𝒛 (𝒙) + 𝑭𝒙 (𝒛)

Take moment about the z-axis: 𝑴𝒛 = 𝑭𝒙 (𝒚) + 𝑭𝒚 (𝒙)

From the above results:

M about x-axis (Fx has zero moment)

M about y-axis (Fy has zero moment)
M about z-axis (Fz has zero moment)

This is because Fx is parallel to x-axis, Fy is parallel to y-axis, and Fz is parallel to z-axis. Because of this, we
can state that all forces parallel to an axis have zero moment about the said axis.

Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces/JsLumbab

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Sample Problem

4. A force P is directed from point A (4, 1, 4) towards a point B (-3, 4 -1). If it causes a moment Mz =
1900lb-ft counterclockwise. Determine the moment of P about the y- and x- axis.

Solution;
P y

(-3, 4 -1)
Py
Pz

Px
x
z
Solving for x, y,and z:
4 1 4
x = -3 – 4 = -7

y = 4-1 = 3

z = -1 – 4 = -5

Solving the value of Px , Py , and Pz:

Since, the value of the Mz = 1900 lb-ft (CCW)

Take moment about the z-axis: assume CCL as positive:

1900 = Py(4) + Px (1)

4Py + Px = 1900 ----------- (1)

But:

Px Py
=
7 3
3Px -7Py = 0 -----------(2)

Equate (1) and (2):

Px = 700 lb, Py = 300 lb

and;
Pz Py
=
5 3
Pz =5 (300lb)/3

Pz = 500 lb

Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces/JsLumbab

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Solve Mx:

Take moment about the x-axis: assume (CW) as positive

𝑀𝑥 = 𝑃𝑦 (4) + 𝑃𝑧 (1)

𝑀𝑥 = 300𝑙𝑏(4) + 500𝑙𝑏(1)

𝑀𝑥 = 1700 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡 (𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒 ) CW

Solve My:

Take moment about the y-axis: assume (CW) as positive

𝑀𝑦 = 𝑃𝑥 (4) − 𝑃𝑧 (4)

𝑀𝑥 = 700𝑙𝑏(4) − 500𝑙𝑏(4)

𝑀𝑥 = 800 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡 (𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒 ) CW

Lecture 4: Components, Moment and Resultant of Spatial Forces/JsLumbab