Statics

Chapter 5
Section 5.1-5.4.

Dr. Mohammad Al-Haik

 EQUILIBRIUM OF A RIGID BODY &
FREE-BODY DIAGRAMS
Today’s Objectives:
Students will be able to: In-Class Activities:
a) Identify support reactions, and, • Check Homework
b) Draw a free-body diagram. • Reading Quiz
• Applications
• Support Reactions
• Free-Body Diagrams
• Concept Quiz
• Group Problem Solving
• Attention Quiz
 APPLICATIONS

The truck ramps have a weight of 400 lb each.

Each ramp is pinned to the body of the truck and held in the
position by a cable. How can we determine the cable tension
and support reactions?
How are the idealized model and the free body diagram used to
do this?
Which diagram above is the idealized model?
 APPLICATIONS (continued)

Two smooth pipes, each having a mass of 300 kg, are

supported by the tines of the loader’s fork attachment.
How can we determine all the reactive forces?

Again, how can we make use of an idealized model and a

free body diagram to answer this question?
 CONDITIONS FOR RIGID-BODY EQUILIBRIUM
(Section 5.1)
In contrast to the forces on a particle, the
forces on a rigid-body are not usually
concurrent and may cause rotation of the
body (due to moments created by the
forces).
Forces on a particle
For a rigid body to be in equilibrium, the
net force as well as the net moment
about any arbitrary point O must be
equal to zero.
 F = 0 (no translation)
and  MO = 0 (no rotation)
Forces on a rigid body
 SUPPORT REACTIONS IN 2-D

A few example sets of diagrams are shown above. Other

support reactions are given in your textbook (Table 5-1).

As a general rule, if a support prevents translation of a body in a

given direction, then a force is developed on the body in the
opposite direction.
Similarly, if rotation is prevented, a couple moment is exerted on
the body in the opposite direction.
05_TABLE_01a
05_TABLE_01b
05_TABLE_01c
 THE PROCESS OF SOLVING RIGID BODY
EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEMS

For analyzing an actual physical system, first we need to

create an idealized model (above right).

Then we need to draw a free-body diagram

(FBD) showing all the external (active and
reactive) forces.
Finally, we need to apply the equations of
equilibrium to solve for any unknowns.
 FREE-BODY DIAGRAMS (Section 5.2)

Idealized model Free-body diagram (FBD)

1. Draw an outlined shape. Imagine the body to be
isolated or cut “free” from its constraints and draw its
outlined shape.
2. Show all the external forces and couple moments.
These typically include: a) applied loads, b) support
reactions, and, c) the weight of the body.
 FREE-BODY DIAGRAMS (continued)

Idealized model Free-body diagram

3. Label loads and dimensions on the FBD: All known

forces and couple moments should be labeled with
their magnitudes and directions. For the unknown
forces and couple moments, use letters like Ax, Ay,
MA. Indicate any necessary dimensions.
 EQUATIONS OF EQUILIBRIUM (Section 5.3)
A body is subjected to a system of forces
that lie in the x-y plane. When in
equilibrium, the net force and net moment
acting on the body are zero (as discussed
earlier in Section 5.1). This 2-D condition
can be represented by the three scalar
equations:
 Fx = 0  Fy = 0  MO = 0
where point O is any arbitrary point.
Please note that these equations are the ones most commonly
used for solving 2-D equilibrium problems.
 TWO-FORCE MEMBERS (Section 5.4)
The solution to some equilibrium problems can be simplified
if we recognize members that are subjected to forces at only
two points (e.g., at points A and B in the figure below).

If we apply the equations of equilibrium to such a member, we

can quickly determine that the resultant forces at A and B must
be equal in magnitude and act in the opposite directions along
the line joining points A and B.
 EXAMPLES OF TWO-FORCE MEMBERS

In the cases above, members AB can be considered as two-force

members, provided that their weight is neglected.
This fact simplifies the equilibrium
analysis of some rigid bodies since the
directions of the resultant forces at A and B
are thus known (along the line joining
points A and B).
STEPS FOR SOLVING 2-D EQUILIBRIUM PROBLEMS

1. If not given, establish a suitable x - y coordinate system.

2. Draw a free-body diagram (FBD) of the object under

analysis. (YOU MUST DRAW THE FBD FOR ALL
PROBLEMS).

3. Apply the three equations of equilibrium (E-of-E) to

solve for the unknowns.
 IMPORTANT NOTES

1. If there are more unknowns than the number of independent

equations, then we have a statically indeterminate situation.
We cannot solve these problems using just statics.

2. The order in which we apply equations may affect the

simplicity of the solution. For example, if we have two
unknown vertical forces and one unknown horizontal force,
then solving  FX = 0 first allows us to find the horizontal
unknown quickly.

3. If the answer for an unknown comes out as negative number,

then the sense (direction) of the unknown force is opposite to
that assumed when starting the problem.
 READING QUIZ

1. The three scalar equations,  FX =  FY =  MO = 0, are ____

equations of equilibrium in two dimensions.
A) Incorrect B) The only correct
C) The most commonly used D) Not sufficient

2. A rigid body is subjected to forces as

shown. This body can be considered
as a ______ member.
A) Single-force B) Two-
force
C) Three-force D) Six-
force
 READING QUIZ

1. If a support prevents translation of a body, then the support exerts a

___________ on the body.
A) Couple moment
B) Force
C) Both A and B.
D) None of the above

2. Internal forces are _________ shown on the free body diagram of a

whole body.
A) Always
B) Often
C) Rarely
D) Never
 EXAMPLE I
Given: The operator applies a vertical
force to the pedal so that the
spring is stretched 1.5 in. and the
force in the short link at B is
20 lb.
Draw: An idealized model and free-
body diagram of the foot pedal.

The idealized model The free-body diagram

 EXAMPLE II

Given: The unloaded platform is

suspended off the edge of the oil
rig. The platform has a mass of
200 kg.

Draw: Free-body diagram of the

platform.

The idealized model of the platform is considered in two dimensions because the
loading and the dimensions are all symmetrical about a vertical plane passing
through its center.
 EXAMPLE II (continued)
The connection at A is treated as a pin, and the cable supports
the platform at B. Note the assumed directions of the forces!
The point G is the center of gravity of the platform. The
platform has a mass of 200 kg.

The free-body diagram

The idealized model
 EXAMPLE III
Given: The 4kN load at B of
the beam is supported
by pins at A and C.
Find: The support reactions
at A and C.
Plan:
1. Put the x and y-axes in the horizontal and vertical directions,
respectively.
2. Determine if there are any two-force members.
3. Draw a complete FBD of the beam.
4. Apply the E-of-E to solve for the unknowns.
 EXAMPLE III (continued)
FBD of the beam:

FCD sin45
AY 4 kN
1.5 m 1.5 m
AX
A 45° C B
FCD FCD cos45
Note: Upon recognizing CD as a two-force member, the number of
unknowns at C is reduced from two to one. Now, using E-of-E, we get,
+ MA = ( FCD sin 45  1.5) – (4  3) = 0
FCD = 11.31 kN or 11.3 kN
 + FX = AX + 11.31 cos 45 = 0; AX = – 8.00 kN
 + FY = AY + 11.31 sin 45 – 4 = 0; AY = – 4.00 kN
Note that the negative signs means that the reactions have the opposite
directions to that assumed (as originally shown on FBD).
 CONCEPT QUIZ

1. The beam and the cable (with a frictionless

pulley at D) support an 80 kg load at C. In a
FBD of only the beam, there are how many
unknowns?
A) Two forces and one couple moment
B) Three forces and one couple moment
C) Three forces
D) Four forces
 CONCEPT QUIZ (continued)

2. If the directions of the force and the couple moments are

both reversed, what will happen to the beam?
A) The beam will lift from A.
B) The beam will lift at B.
C) The beam will be restrained.
D) The beam will break.
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING I
Given:
The smooth pipe rests against
the opening at the points of
contact A, B, and C. Determine
the reactions at these points
needed to support the force of
300 N. Neglect the pipe’s
thickness in the calculation.

Draw:

A FBD of the smooth pipe which rests against the

opening at the points of contact A, B, and C.
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING I (continued)
NA
NA cos30
30

300 sin30 NB 0.26m

300 N
30 0.5m 0.5m 0.15m
NC

The free body diagram

 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING II

Given: The beam is supported

3 kN/m by the roller at A and a
pin at B.
Find: The reactions at points
A and B on the beam.

Plan:

a) Establish the x–y axis system.

b) Draw a complete FBD of the beam.
c) Apply the E-of-E to solve for the unknowns.
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING II (continued)
FBD of the beam
3 kN/m 30 12 kN
NA 2m
30 Bx
3m
4m
By
Note that the distributed load has
been reduced to a single force.

First, write a moment equation about point B. Why point B?

+  MB = – (NA cos 30)  (4 + 3 cos 30) – (NA sin 30)  (3 sin 30)

+ 12  2 = 0
NA = 3.713 = 3.71 kN
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING II (continued)
FBD of the beam
3 kN/m 30 12 kN
NA 2m
30 Bx
3m
4m
By
Recall NA = 3.713 =3.71 kN

Now write the  FX =  FY = 0 equations.

 +  FX = 3.713 sin 30 – Bx = 0
 +  FY = 3.713 cos 30– 12 + By = 0
Solving these two equations, we get
Bx = 1.86 kN 
By = 8.78 kN 
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING III

Given:

Draw: Draw a FBD of the bent rod supported by a smooth

surface at B and by a collar at A, which is fixed to the
rod and is free to slide over the fixed inclined rod.
GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING III (continued)

The idealized model

MA

RA
3
4

5
12
The free body diagram RB
 ATTENTION QUIZ
1. Internal forces are not shown on a free-body diagram because the
internal forces are _____. (Choose the most appropriate answer.)
A) Equal to zero B) Equal and opposite and they do not
affect the calculations
C) Negligibly small D) Not important

2. How many unknown support reactions are

there in this problem?
A) Two forces and two couple
moments
B) One force and two couple moments
C) Three forces
D) Three forces and one couple moment