ch3

EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE, THE FREE-BODY DIAGRAM & COPLANAR FORCE SYSTEMS


Ch. 3 Objectives:

Students will be able to :

a) Explore the concept of equilibrium

b) Draw a free body diagram (FBD), and,

c) Apply equations of equilibrium to solve a 2D problem.

d) Apply equations of equilibrium to solve a 3D problem.



EquilibriumA key concept in statics is that of equilibrium. If an object is at rest, we

will assume that it is in equilibrium and that the sum of the forces acting on the object equal zero.

Resultant of all forces acting on a particle is zero.

Newton’s First Law of Physics: If the resultant force on a particle is zero, the particle will remain at rest or will continue at constant speed in a straight line.

Equilibrium



EquilibriumIf an object is in equilibrium, then the resultant force acting on an object

equals zero. This is expressed as follows:

Some problems can be analyzed using only 2D, while others require 3D.

equation)(vector 0R FF

equations)scalar (2D

0F0F yx

Equations for 2D Equilibrium:If a problem is analyzed using 2D, then the vector equation above can be expressed as:

Equations for 3D Equilibrium:If a problem is analyzed using 3D, then the vector equation above can be expressed as:

equations)scalar (3D

0F0F0F zyx

Since the forces involved in supporting the spool lie in a plane, this is essentially a 2D equilibrium problem. How would you find the forces in cables AB and AC?

2D Equilibrium - Applications2D Equilibrium - Applications

For a given force exerted on the boat’s towing pendant, what are the forces in the bridle cables? What size of cable must you use?

This is again a 2D problem since the forces in cables AB, BC, and BD all lie in the same plane.


The crane is lifting a load. To decide if the straps holding the load to the crane hook will fail, you need to know the force in the straps. How could you find the forces?

Straps


This is a 3D problem since the forces do not lie in a single plane.

This shear leg derrick is to be designed to lift a maximum of 200 kg of fish.

Finding the forces in the cable and derrick legs is a 3D problem.


Coplanar Force Systems (2D Equilibrium) - (Section 3.3)Coplanar Force Systems (2D Equilibrium) - (Section 3.3)

To determine the tensions in the cables for a given weight of the cylinder, you need to learn how to draw a free body diagram and apply the equations of equilibrium.

This is an example of a 2-D or coplanar force system.

If the whole assembly is in equilibrium, then particle A is also in equilibrium.

FREE BODY DIAGRAM (FBD) FREE BODY DIAGRAM (FBD)

Free Body Diagrams are an important part of a course in Statics as well as other courses in mechanics (Dynamics, Mechanics of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, etc.,)

Free Body Diagram - A drawing that shows all external forces acting on the particle.Free Body Diagram - A drawing that shows all external forces acting on the particle.

Why? - It is key to being able to write the equations of equilibrium—which are used to solve for the unknowns (usually forces or angles).

Why? - It is key to being able to write the equations of equilibrium—which are used to solve for the unknowns (usually forces or angles).

Procedure for drawing a Free Body Diagram (FBD)Procedure for drawing a Free Body Diagram (FBD)

Active forces: They want to move the particle. Reactive forces: They tend to resist the motion.

Note : Cylinder mass = 40 Kg

1. Imagine the particle to be isolated or cut free from its surroundings.

3. Identify each force and show all known magnitudes and directions. Show all unknown magnitudes and / or directions as variables .

FC = 392.4 N (What is this?)

2. Show all the forces that act on the particle.

A

FB

FD

30˚

FBD at A

A

y

x

Area to be cut or isolated

EQUATIONS OF 2-D EQUILIBRIUMEQUATIONS OF 2-D EQUILIBRIUM

Or, written in a scalar form,Fx = 0 and Fy = 0

These are two scalar equations of equilibrium.

They can be used to solve for up to two unknowns.

Since particle A is in equilibrium, the net force at A is zero.

So FB + FC + FD = 0

or F = 0FBD at A

A

In general, for a particle in equilibrium,

F = 0 or Fx i + Fy j = 0 = 0 i + 0 j (a vector equation)

FBD at A

A

FB

FDA

FC = 392.4 N

y

x30˚

EXAMPLE EXAMPLE

Equations of equilibrium:

Fx = FB cos 30º – FD = 0

Fy = FB sin 30º – 392.4 N = 0Solving the second equation gives: FB = 785 N

From the first equation, we get: FD = 680 N

Note : Cylinder mass = 40 Kg

FBD at A FBD at A

A

FB

FDA

FC = 392.4 N

y

x30˚

Example: Solve for the tensions in cables AB and AC.Example: Solve for the tensions in cables AB and AC.Steps: 1) Draw the FBD (at what point?)

2) Write and solve the 2D equations of equilibrium

EXAMPLE: Solve for the forces in cables CD, BC, and AB and the weight in cylinder F. Discuss the approach. Include all necessary FBDs. EXAMPLE: Solve for the forces in cables CD, BC, and AB and the weight in cylinder F. Discuss the approach. Include all necessary FBDs.

Pulleys• Ideal pulleys simply change the direction of a force.• The tension on each side of an ideal pulley is the same.• The tension is the same everywhere in a given rope or cable if ideal

pulleys are used.• In a later chapter non-ideal pulleys are introduced (belt friction and

bearing friction).

50 lb

Verticalforce

Horizontalforce

50 lb

T1

T2

T2

For a frictionless pulley: T1 = T2

Example - Determine the tension T required to support the 100 lb block shown below.

Example: Determine the force P needed to support the 100-lb weight. Each pulley has a weight of 10 lb. Also, what are the cord reactions at A and B?

Example: A 350-lb load is supported by the rope-and-pulley arrangement shown. Knowing that = 35, determine the angle and the force P.

SPRINGS SPRINGS

LLo

s

F = k|L – Lo|

F = ks

Springs can be used to apply forces of tension (spring pulling) or compression (spring pushing).

Hooke’s Law:

Spring Force = (spring constant)(deformation)

or

Example: A 20 lb weight is added to a spring as shown. Determine the spring constant, k.

Example: A 20 lb weight is added to a spring as shown. Determine the spring constant, k.

12”

20 lb

16”

Example: Determine the mass of each cylinder if they cause a sag of s = 0.5 m when suspended from the rings at A and B. Note that s = 0 when the cylinders are removed.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL FORCE SYSTEMSTHREE-DIMENSIONAL FORCE SYSTEMS

Recall that with 3D problems we will use three equations of equilibrium.

0F0F0F zyx Also recall from the last chapter that 3D forces may be specified in different ways, including:

1) With coordinate direction angles (α, β, and γ),

2)With angles of projection onto a plane,

3)With distances. When distances are specified, we typically express the force in Cartesian vector form using position vectors as follows:

Example – 3D Equilibrium Example – 3D Equilibrium

1) Draw a free body diagram of Point A. Let the unknown force magnitudes be FB, FC, FD .

2) Represent each force in the Cartesian vector form.

3) Apply equilibrium equations to solve for the three unknowns.

Given: A 600 N load is supported by three cords with the geometry as shown.

Find: The tension in cords AB, AC and AD.

Plan:

EXAMPLE (continued)EXAMPLE (continued)

FB = FB (sin 30 i + cos 30 j) N

= {0.5 FB i + 0.866 FB j} N

FC = – FC i NFD = FD (rAD /rAD)

= FD { (1 i – 2 j + 2 k) / (12 + 22 + 22)½ } N

= { 0.333 FD i – 0.667 FD j + 0.667 FD k } N

FBD at AFCFD

A

600 N

z

y30˚

FBx

1 m2 m

2 m

EXAMPLE (continued)EXAMPLE (continued)

Solving the three simultaneous equations yields

FC = 646 N

FD = 900 N

FB = 693 N

y

Now equate the respective i , j , k components to zero.

Fx = 0.5 FB – FC + 0.333 FD = 0

Fy = 0.866 FB – 0.667 FD = 0

Fz = 0.667 FD – 600 = 0

FBD at AFCFD

A

600 N

z

30˚

FBx

1 m2 m

2 m

Example – 3D EquilibriumExample – 3D Equilibrium A 3500 lb motor and plate are supported by three cables and d = 2 ft. Find the magnitude of the tension in each of the cables.

Example – 3D EquilibriumExample – 3D EquilibriumThree cables are used to tether a balloon as shown. Determine the vertical force P exerted by the balloon at A knowing that the tension in cable AB is 60 lb.

ch3

Technology

d equilibrium fbd

d equilibrium equations

d equilibrium problem

freebody equilibrium

d equilibrium section

d equilibrium applicationsfor

freebody diagram equilibrium

kgequations of equilibrium