MODULE

RESULTANT OF FORCE SYSTEMS

Learning Objective: At the end of the module, the students will be able to (a) determine the
resultant of multiple forces acting on a particle; (b) resolve forces into
components; (c) add forces that have been resolved into rectangular
components

Content : 1. Forces and Components

2. Resultant of Three or More Concurrent Forces
3. Moment of a Force
4. The Principle of Moments
5. Resultant of Parallel Forces
6. Couples
7. Resolution of a Force into a Force and a Couple
8. Resultant of Non-Concurrent Force Systems

2.1 Introduction
A system of forces acting on a given particle may be replaced by a single force having the same
effect as the original forces. This single equivalent force is called the resultant of the original forces.
The value of the resultant determines the motion of the body. If the resultant is zero, the body will
be in equilibrium and will not change its state of motion. If the resultant of a force system is not zero,
the body will have a varying state of motion.

2.2 Forces and Components

We have seen that two or more forces acting on a particle
may be replaced by a single force that has the same effect on
the particle. Conversely, a single force F acting on a particle
may be replaced by two or more forces that, together, have
the same effect on the particle. These forces are called
components of the original force F, and the process of
substituting them for F is called resolving the force F into
components. A force may be resolved into any pair of
components, but it is generally most convenient to use
rectangular components.
2
𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹 cos 𝜃𝑥 𝐹 = √(𝐹𝑥 )2 + (𝐹𝑦 )
𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹 sin 𝜃𝑥 𝐹𝑦
tan 𝜃𝑥 =
𝐹𝑥
ENSC 21 – Statics of Rigid Bodies
2nd Semester AY 2020-2021
 Sample Problem 2.1
A force of 200 lb is directed as shown. Determine the X and Y components of the force.

Solution:
[𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹 cos 𝜃𝑥 ] 𝐹𝑥 = −200 cos 30°
𝑭𝒙 = −𝟏𝟕𝟑. 𝟐 𝒍𝒃
[𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹 sin 𝜃𝑥 ] 𝐹𝑦 = −200 cos 30°
𝑭𝒚 = −𝟏𝟕𝟑. 𝟐 𝒍𝒃

Sample Problem 2.2

Determine the components of the 300 lb force directed down to the right at a slope of 2 to 3 as
shown in the figure.

Solution:
3
[𝐹𝑥 = 𝐹 cos 𝜃𝑥 ] 𝐹𝑥 = 300 × = 𝟐𝟒𝟗 𝒍𝒃
√13
2
[𝐹𝑦 = 𝐹 sin 𝜃𝑥 ] 𝐹𝑦 = −300 × = −𝟏𝟔𝟔 𝒍𝒃
√13

Sample Problem 2.3

The components of a certain force are defined by Fx = 300 lb and Fy = -200 lb. Determine the
magnitude, inclination with the x-axis, and pointing of the force

Solution:
2
[𝐹 = √(𝐹𝑥 )2 + (𝐹𝑦 ) ] 𝐹 = √(300)2 + (−200)2 = 𝟑𝟔𝟏 𝒍𝒃
𝑦𝐹 200
[tan 𝜃𝑥 = 𝐹 ] tan 𝜃𝑥 =
300
𝑥
200
𝜃𝑥 = tan−1 ( ) = 𝟑𝟑. 𝟕° 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕
300

2.3 Resultant of Three or more Concurrent Forces

The determination of the resultant of three or more concurrent forces that are not collinear requires
determining the sum of three or more vectors. There are two ways of accomplishing the addition of
three or more vectors: graphically and analytically.
Graphically. Two vectors can be added by parallelogram law to give a resultant; this resultant
in turn can be added to a third vector, etc., until all the vectors have been added together to give an
overall resultant. These vectors can be added in any order.
The same result can be readily obtained by the use of free vectors and triangle law wherein the total
resultant of the system is obtained by joining the tail of the first vector with the tip of the last vector.
Any convenient order of tip-to-tail method may be used.

(a) Three Concurrent Force System (b) Resultant determined by parallelogram law

ENSC 21 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

2nd Semester AY 2020-2021
 (c) Resultant determined by triangle law

Analytically. The vectors can be resolved into

components that coincide with arbitrary chosen axes.
The components of each vector with respect to these
axes can be added algebraically, and the resulting
additions will be the components of the overall resultant
vector.
𝑹𝒙 = 𝚺𝑿
𝑹𝒚 = 𝚺𝒀
𝑹 = √(𝚺𝑿)𝟐 + (𝚺𝒀)𝟐
𝚺𝒀
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽𝒙 =
𝚺𝑿

Sample Problem 2.4

Determine completely the resultant of the force system shown.

Solution:
[𝑅𝑥 = Σ𝑋] Σ𝑋 = 200 cos 30° + 100 cos 45° − 400 − 300 cos 60°
Σ𝑋 = −306.1 𝑙𝑏
[𝑅𝑦 = Σ𝑌] Σ𝑌 = 200 sin 30° + 300 sin 60° − 50 − 100 sin 45°
Σ𝑌 = +239.1 𝑙𝑏

[𝑅 = √(Σ𝑋)2 + (Σ𝑌)2 ] 𝑅 = √(−306.1)2 + (239.1)2 = 𝟑𝟖𝟖 𝒍𝒃

Σ𝑌 239.1
[tan 𝜃𝑥 = Σ𝑋] tan 𝜃𝑥 = 306.1
239.1
𝜃𝑥 = tan−1 ( ) = 𝟑𝟖° 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕
306.1

2.4 Moment of a Force

The moment of a force about an axis or line is the measure of its ability to produce turning or twisting
about the axis. The magnitude of the moment of a force about an axis which is perpendicular to
plane containing the line of action of the force is defined as the product of the force and the
perpendicular distance from the axis to the line of action of the force.
𝑴=𝑭∙𝒅

ENSC 21 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

2nd Semester AY 2020-2021
2.5 The Principle of Moments (Varignon’s Theorem)
Varignon’s Theorem states that the moment of a force is equivalent to the sum of the moments of
its components.
𝑴 = 𝑭 ∙ 𝒅 = 𝑭𝒙 ∙ 𝒚 ± 𝑭𝒚 ∙ 𝒙

Sample Problem 2.5

A 100-lb vertical force is applied to the end of a lever, which is attached to
a shaft at O. Determine (a) the moment of the 100-lb force about O;
(b) the horizontal force applied at A that creates the same moment about
O;
(c) the smallest force applied at A that creates the same moment about O;
(d) how far from the shaft a 240-lb vertical force must act to create the same
moment about O;

Solution:
a. Moment about O c. Smallest Force

𝑀𝑜 = 𝐹𝑑 𝑀𝑜 = 𝐹𝑑
𝑀𝑜 = (100 𝑙𝑏)(24 𝑖𝑛) cos 30 1200lb. in = 𝐹 ∙ (24 𝑖𝑛)
𝑀𝑜 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟎 𝒍𝒃. 𝒊𝒏 𝐹 = 𝟓𝟎 𝒍𝒃

b. Horizontal Force d. Horizontal Force

𝑀𝑜 = 𝐹𝑑 𝑀𝑜 = 𝐹𝑑
1200lb. in = 𝐹 ∙ (24 𝑖𝑛) sin 60 1200lb. in = (240𝑙𝑏)𝑑
𝐹 = 𝟓𝟕. 𝟕 𝒍𝒃 𝑑 = 5 𝑖𝑛

OB cos 60 = 𝑑
𝑂𝐵 = 𝟏𝟎 𝒊𝒏

2.6 Resultant of Parallel Forces

A parallel force system is one which the action lines of all the forces are parallel. The resultant of
such a system is determined when it is known in magnitude, direction, and position.
𝑹 = 𝚺𝑭
To determine the position of R, we select some convenient point O as a moment center and employ
the principle that the moment of a resultant equals the moment sum of its parts.
𝑹 ∙ 𝒅 = 𝚺𝑴𝑶
The relative position of R with respect to O is determined from the fact that the resultant must
produce the same moment effect as the original system.

ENSC 21 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

2nd Semester AY 2020-2021
 Sample Problem 2.6
Determine the resultant of the parallel force system acting on the bar AB and its position with respect
to A and B.

Solution:
[𝑅 = Σ𝐹] R = −20 − 10 + 30 − 40
R = −𝟒𝟎 𝒍𝒃
[𝑀𝑅 = Σ𝑀𝐴 ] Σ𝑀𝐴 = 10 × 2 − 30 × 5 + 40 × 8
Σ𝑀𝐴 = 190 𝑙𝑏𝑓𝑡
[𝑀𝑅 = 𝑅 ∙ 𝑑 = Σ𝑀𝐴 ] 40𝑑𝐴 = 190 𝑙𝑏𝑓𝑡
𝑑𝐴 = 𝟒. 𝟕𝟓 𝒇𝒕
[𝑀𝑅 = Σ𝑀𝐵 ] Σ𝑀𝐵 = −20 × 8 − 10 × 6 + 30 × 3
Σ𝑀𝐵 = −130 𝑙𝑏𝑓𝑡
[𝑀𝑅 = 𝑅 ∙ 𝑑 = Σ𝑀𝐵 ] 40𝑑𝐵 = 130 𝑙𝑏𝑓𝑡
𝑑𝐵 = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟓 𝒇𝒕

2.7 Couples
The special case in which the resultant has zero magnitude but does
have a moment is said to consist of a couple. A couple is made up
of two equal, parallel, oppositely directed forces. The perpendicular
distance between the action lines of the forces is called the moment
arm of the couple. Their moment sum is constant and independent
of the moment center.
The moment of a couple is equal to the product of one of the forces
composing the couple multiplied by the perpendicular distance
between their action lines.
𝑪=𝑭∙𝒅
For the somewhat special case in which the given force system is composed entirely of couples in
the same or parallel planes, the resultant will consist of another couple equal to the algebraic
summation of the moment sum of the original couples.

2.8 Resolution of a Force into a Force and a Couple

Let a known force F be acting through A. by adding two collinear forces F’ and F” equal and parallel
at B, the effect of F is unchanged. The forces F and F” form a couple having the moment arm d.
since the moment of a couple is independent of its moment arm, it is convenient to represent this
couple by the curved vector C=Fd. F and F” having been disposed of, there remains only F’ which
acts at B. the original force at Ahas therefore been replaced by an equal force acting at Bplus a
couple C having the magnitude Fd.

ENSC 21 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

2nd Semester AY 2020-2021
2.9 Resultant of Non-Concurrent Force Systems
The effect of an unbalanced non-concurrent force system on a body is to give the body a motion
consisting of a combined translation and rotation. The translational effect is determined by the
magnitude of the resultant R whose components are ∑X and ∑Y. The rotational effect is determined
by the moment of the resultant force which may be expressed in terms of the applied forces by 𝑅 ∙
𝑑 = ∑ 𝑀.

Sample Problem 2.7

The rectangular framework shown is subjected to the indicated non-concurrent system of forces.
Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant and its moment arm relative to the origin O.

Solution:
[𝑅 = Σ𝑋] ∑ 𝑋 = 17.3 − 70.7 + 60 − 50
R = −43.4 𝑙𝑏
[𝑅 = Σ𝑌] ∑ 𝑌 = 10 + 70.7 − 86.6 − 30
R = −35.9 𝑙𝑏
[𝑀𝑅 = Σ𝑀𝑂 ] Σ𝑀𝑂 = 17.3 × 3 − 70.7 × 3 − 70.7 × 4 + 60 × 3 + 86.6 × 4
Σ𝑀𝑂 = 83.4 𝑙𝑏𝑓𝑡

[𝑅 = √(Σ𝑋)2 + (Σ𝑌)2 ] 𝑅 = √(−43.4)2 + (35.9)2 = 𝟓𝟔. 𝟑 𝒍𝒃

Σ𝑌 35.9
[tan 𝜃𝑥 = Σ𝑋] tan 𝜃𝑥 = 43.4
𝜃𝑥 = 𝟑𝟗. 𝟔

[𝑀𝑅 = 𝑅 ∙ 𝑑 = Σ𝑀𝑜 ] 53.3𝑑𝑂 = 83.4

𝑑𝑂 = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟖 𝒇𝒕

_______________________________________________________________________________

Questions and Problems

1. Determine the X and Y components of each of the forces shown.

ENSC 21 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

2nd Semester AY 2020-2021
 (a) (b)

2. Determine the resultant of the concurrent forces shown.

(a) (b)
3. In the figure shown, 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.

4. Determine the magnitude and position of the resultant in the parallel force systems shown/

(a) (b)

ENSC 21 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

2nd Semester AY 2020-2021
 5. Determine the resultant moment about point A of the system of forces shown. Each square
is 1 ft on a side.

6. Replace the system of forces acting on the frame by a resultant R at A and a couple acting
horizontally through B and C.

7. Determine the resultant of the force system shown and its X and Y intercepts.

_______________________________________________________________________________
Reference:
Beer, F.P., Cornwell, P.J. et al. (2016). Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics and Dynamics (11th Ed). Mc-Graw
Hill Education
Singer, Ferdinand L. (1970). Engineering Mechanics (2nd Ed). Harper & Row

ENSC 21 – Statics of Rigid Bodies

2nd Semester AY 2020-2021
ENSC 21 – Statics of Rigid Bodies
2nd Semester AY 2020-2021