1

Force System

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Engineering mechanics is a basic subject which describes and predicts the effect of forces on
rigid bodies. “Mechanics is the branch of science which deals with the physical state of rest or
motion of bodies under the action of forces”.

1.2 CLASSIFICATIONS
Mechanics is broadly classified into three categories:
(a) Mechanics of rigid body. (b) Mechanics of deformable body.
(c) Mechanics of fluids.
A rigid body is a substance which does not deformed when it is acted upon by a force
system, while in case of deformable body it gets deformed before fracture when load is applied.
Fluid is a substance which can not resist shear force.
Mechanics of rigid body is further classified into statics and dynamics. In statics we study the
effect of forces on bodies at rest while dynamics deals with the effect of forces on bodies in motion.

Dynamics is further divided into kinematics and kinetics. Kinematics is concerned with
the description of motion of objects without considering the cause of motion. In kinematics
study is made of motion interrelationship among position, velocity, acceleration and time with-
out taking into account of the forces causing motion. In kinetics both the motion and its cause
are considered.

1.3 PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

A physical quantity is a physical property of a phenomenon body, or substance that can be
quantified by measurement. A physical quantity can be expressed as the combination of a
number, usually a real number and a unit or combination of units. Some basic physical quan-
tities related with engineering mechanics are listed below:
1
2

1. Time: Time is a measure of succession of events. The unit of time is seconds.

2. Mass: It is a measure of inertia of body. Unit of mass if kg (kilogram).
3. Length: The linear extent or measurement of something from end to end. Its unit is
meter.
4. Force: It is a physical quantity that changes or tries to change the state of rest or
uniform motion of a body. Unit of force is newton N (i.e., kg m/s2).

1.4 FORCE AND SYSTEM OF FORCES

As discussed is above article force can also be defined as an external agency which produces or
tends to produce, destroy or tends to destroy the motion. Force is a vector quantity defined
completely by its:
 Magnitude  Direction
 Point of application  Line of action.
A force or system of forces when acting on a body may:
 Change its state of rest or motion  Accelerate or retard its motion
 Change its shape or size  Turn or rotate it, and
 Keep it in equilibrium.
When a body is acted upon by two or more number of forces simultaneously, it will form a
system of forces. Considering the plane in which forces are applied and depending upon the
position of line of action, system of forces may be categorized as:
1. Coplanar forces 2. Non-coplanar forces
3. Collinear forces 4. Non-collinear forces
5. Concurrent forces 6. Non-concurrent forces
7. Parallel forces.

1.4.1 Coplanar Forces

When all the forces acting on a body lie in a same plane, it is termed
as coplanar force system. It is a two dimensional force system.

1.4.2 Non-coplanar Forces Fig. 1.1. Coplanar forces

When all the forces acting on a particular body can not pass through a single plane; it is called
non-coplanar forces. It is a three dimensional force system.

Fig. 1.2. Non-coplanar forces. Fig. 1.3. Collinear forces.

FORCE SYSTEM 3

1.4.3 Collinear Forces

In this type of force system the line of action of all forces lie along the same straight line.
1.4.4 Non-collinear Forces
If line of action of all the forces are not passing through a single straight line, it is called non-
collinear force system.

Fig. 1.4. Non-collinear forces. Fig. 1.5. Concurrent forces.

1.4.5 Concurrent Forces
If line of action of all the forces are passing through a single common point, it is called as
concurrent force system. Point of intersection of all the forces is termed as point of concurrency.
1.4.6 Non-concurrent Forces
Forces are not passing through a common point in non-concurrent force system. Fig 1.5
shows a non-concurrent force system.
1.4.7 Parallel Force System
If line of action of all the forces are parallel to each other, it is called
parallel force system. Depending on the direction of forces it may be
(i) Like parallel forces: Forces are parallel and in same direction.
(ii) Unlike parallel forces: Forces are parallel but in opposite
direction.

1.5 BASIC PRINCIPLES Fig. 1.6. Parallel forces.

Some fundamental principle commonly used in mechanics are described in this article.

1.5.1 Newton’s First Law

It states that every body tries to be in its state of rest or of uniform motion along a straight line
unless it is acted upon by an external force. This law is also known as law of inertia.

1.5.2 Newton’s Second Law

It states that the rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the force
acting on it and takes place in the direction of the force.
1.5.3 Newton’s Third Law
It states that every reaction has equal and opposite reaction.
1.5.4 Newton’s Law of Gravitation
According to this every body in the universe attracts other body with a force whose magnitude
is directly proportional to the product of the two masses of bodies and inversely proportional
to square of the distance between them.
4

1.5.5 Principle of Transmissibility

According to this principle when the point of application of force acting on a body is shifted to
any other point on the line of action of the force without changing its direction, there will be no
change in the equilibrium state of the body. This implies that a force acting at any point on a
body may also be considered to act at any other point along its line of action without changing
its effect on the body.

Fig. 1.7

1.5.6 Parallelogram Law of Forces

This law is used to find out the resultant of two forces acting at a point of a rigid body. It states
that “If two forces acting simultaneously on a rigid body, can be represented in magnitude
and direction by two adjacent sides of a parallelogram then their resultant may be represented
in magnitude and direction by the diagonal of the parallelogram, passing through their point
of intersection”.
Let P and R are the two force acting at a point A. Parallelogram ABCD, as shown in
Fig. 1.8, is completed using dotted lines. Drop a perpendicular from C to meet the extended
line AB at point E.
Considering ACE, we can write
AC2 = CE2 + AE2
AC2 = CE2 + (AB + BE)2
R2 = Q2 sin2 + (P + Q cos)2
= Q2 sin2 + P2 + Q2 cos2 + 2PQ cos
= P2 + Q2 (sin2 + cos2) + 2PQ cos
= P2 + Q2 + 2PQ cos.
Fig. 1.8
or R= P 2  Q 2  2 PQ cos 
Angle of resultant R from force P is
Q sin 
 = tan–1
P  Q cos 

1.5.7 Triangular Law of Forces

It states that “If two forces acting simultaneously on a
body are represented by the sides of a triangle taken in
order, then their resultant is represented by the clos-
ing side of the triangle taken in opposite order.’’
Fig. 1.9

1.6 EQUILIBRIUM, RESULTANT AND EQUILIBRANT

When two or more than two forces acting on a body in such a way that body remains in a state
of rest or of uniform motion ( no acceleration or retardation), then the system of forces is said
5

to be in equilibrium. Conditions of equilibrium for different system of forces are listed below:
(a) Coplanar forces system:
 Concurrent force: Fx = 0  Non concurrent forces: Fx = 0
Fy = 0 Fy = 0
M = 0
(b) Non coplanar force system:
 Concurrent forces: Fx = 0  Non concurrent forces: Fx = 0
Fy = 0 Fy = 0
Fz = 0 Fz = 0
M = 0
When a body is acted upon by a system of forces, then vectorial sum of all the forces is
known as resultant. Hence resultant refers to a single force which produces the same effect as
is done by the combined effect of several forces.
A number of forces may act on a body in such a manner, that the body is not in equilib-
rium. A single force which brings the body in equilibrium is known as equilibrant. Equilibrant
is equal and opposite to the resultant of several forces acting on the body.

1.7 COMPOSITION AND RESOLUTION OF FORCES

Composition or compounding is the procedure to find out single resultant force of a force sys-
tem, while resolution is the procedure of splitting up a single force into number of components
without changing the effect of the same.
In orthogonal resolution a single force is splitted into two mutually perpendicular direc-
tion. Some examples are given below:
6

Fig. 1.10

1.8 METHODS OF COMPOSITION

For finding the resultant of forces either analytical or graphical methods can be used.

1.8.1 Analytical Method

Following steps are involved for finding the resultant for coplanar concurrent force system:
 Resolve all the forces in two mutually perpendicular directions (i.e. along horizontal
and vertical direction).
 Take upward and rightward forces as positive and downward and leftward forces as
negative.
 Find out alzebric sum of all the vertical [Fy] and horizontal [Fx] components.

 Calculate the magnitude of the resultant force as, R = (Fx )2  (Fy )2

 Its direction can be calculated by

 Fy 
 = tan–1  
 Fx 
 is the angle of resultant from x-axis.
In case of non-concurrent forces magnitude and direction of force is not sufficient to define
resultant. In this case it is required to find out the point of application of resultant force. Point
of application is calculated using Verignon’s theorem which will be discussed later.

1.8.2 Graphical Method

Graphical method for finding the resultant of coplanar concurrent forces is called Law of
Polygon.
Law of polygon states that “If a number of concurrent forces acting simultaneously on a
body are represented in magnitudes and direction by the sides of a polygon, taken in order,
then the resultant is represented in magnitude and direction by the closing side of the poly-
gon, taken in opposite order.”
Consider forces P1, P2, P3 and P4 acting on a body at point O as shown in Fig. 1.11 (a).
Draw a line oa to represent P1, line ab to represent P2, line bc to represent P3 and line cd to
represent P4. The polygon is computed by drawing the closing line od. This closing line od
represents the resultant of the given system in magnitude, line of action and direction.
FORCE SYSTEM 7

Fig. 1.11

1.9 FREE BODY DIAGRAM

An isolated body separated from all other connected bodies or surface is called free body. For
analysing the forces acting on a particular part of a system we need to draw FBD (free body
diagram). For making FBD, detach the body from surrounding and draw it separately without
changing its orientation. On this body following forces need to be draw according to situation:
1. Self weight, acting vertically downwards from the centre of gravity of the body.
2. Support or contact reactions, acts at the point of contact from any other surface or
bodies.
3. External forces.
Some examples of FBD are given below:

(1) (2)

(3) (4)

(5)
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(6) (7)

Fig. 1.12

1.10 LAMI’S THEOREM

It states that if a body is in equilibrium under the action of three forces, which are concurrent,
then each force is proportional to the ‘sine’ of the angle between
other two forces.
If P, Q and R are the three forces acting on a body at point O.
Angles between the forces are shown in Fig. 1.13. Then according
to Lami’s theorem,
P Q R
= =
sin  sin  sin 
Note: Before applying Lami’s theorem, draw all the forces outward Fig. 1.13
from the point of concurrency.

1.11 MOMENT OF A FORCE

It is a turning effect produced by a force on the body on which it acts.
Moment of a force is equal to the product of the force and the perpen-
dicular distance of the point, from the line of action of force, about
which the moment is required.
Moments are considered as positive or negative depending upon
its tendency to rotate the body in the clockwise (assuming (+) ve) or
anticlockwise (assuming (–) ve) direction. Fig. 1.14

Fig. 1.15
Point about which moment is calculated is called moment centre and the perpendicular
distance of the force from the point about which moment is calculated is termed as moment
arm.

1.12 VERIGNON’S THEOREM

It states that the algebraic sum of moments due to all forces acting on an object about any
point is equal to the moment because of their resultant about the same point.
FORCE SYSTEM 9

Considering two force F1 and F2 whose resultant is R.

Angle from y-axis and perpendicular distances from point
A, about which moment have to be calculated, are shown in
Fig. 1.16.
Moment due to resultant R about point A is
MA = R . d1 = R . (OA cos )
= OA (R cos ) ...(1)
Moment due to force F1 about point A is
M1A = F1 . d,
= F1 . (OA cos 1)
= OA . (F1 cos 1) ...(2)
Moment due to force F2 about point A is Fig. 1.16
M2A = F2 . d2 = F2 (OA cos 2)
= OA (F2 cos 2) ...(3)
Adding equation (2) and (3)
M1A + M2A = OA [F1 cos 1 + F2 cos 2]
or M1A + M2A = MA [ F1 cos 1 and F2 cos 2]
are the x-components of force F1 and F2 which must be equal to the x-component of resultant
R i.e., R cos .

1.13 COUPLE
Two unlike parallel, non-collinear forces having same magnitude form a couple.
Moment of a couple = Force  Distance between the forces, M = P . d.
Moment of a couple is independent of the moment centre.
It can be understand by following description.
Moment about point O;
MO = P  d1 + P d2
= P (d1 + d2) = P . d
Moment about point A;
MA = P  d4 – P d3
= P (d4 – d3) = P . d
1.13.1 Properties of a Couple
Fig. 1.17
A couple has following properties:
 Two unlike parallel, non-collinear and same magnitude of forces form a couple.
 Resultant force of a couple is zero.
 A couple can not be balanced by a single force.
 The moment of couple is independent of moment centre.
 The translating effect of a couple in a body is zero.
 The effect of couple on a body remains unchanged if the couple is
(i) rotated through an angle
(ii) shifted to any other position
(iii) replaced by another pair of forces whose rotational effect is same.
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1.14 EQUIVALENT FORCE COUPLE SYSTEM

A force F is applied to a rigid body at any point M can be replaced by an equal force applied at
another point N together with a couple without changing the effect.

Fig. 1.18
Consider a force F acting at point M on a rigid body shown in Fig. 1.18 (a). Now apply two
equal and opposite forces of magnitude same as F, at point N, Fig. 1.18 (b). Effect of forces
remains same in case (a) and (b). Now two equal and opposite forces, one is at M and other is
at N, will form a couple of moment F.d. Therefore a force F and a couple having moment F.d.
is acted at point N as shown in Fig. 1.18 (c), having the same effect as it was in the previous
two cases.
Example 1.1. Two forces of equal magnitude P, act at an angle  to each other. What will
be their resultant?
Solution.Using parallelogram law of forces
R2 = P2 + P2 + 2P. P. cos . = 2P2 + 2P2 cos 
 1  cos   2  
= 4P2  2
 = 4P cos or R = 2P cos
 2 2 2
Example 1.2. Resultant of two equal forces is equal to either of them. Determine the angle
between the forces.
Solution. From the solution of example 1.1
  1 
P = 2P cos or cos = , = 60° [  P = Q = R]
2 2 2 2
 = 120°
Example 1.3. Two locomotives on opposite bank of a
canal pull a vessel moving parallel to the banks by means
of two horizontal ropes. The tensions in these ropes have
been measured to be 20 kN and 24 kN while the angle
between them is 60°. Find the resultant pull on the vessel
and the angle between each of the ropes and the sides of
the canal.
Solution. Vessel A is attached with the locomotive B
and C as shown in Fig. 1.19.
Let P = 24 kN
Q = 20 kN
 = 60° Fig. 1.19

R= 242  202  2  24  20  cos 60 = 38.16 N.

FORCE SYSTEM 11

Inclination of resultant R with force P = 24 kN is

20 sin 60
 = tan–1
24  20 cos 60
= tan–1 0.5094 = 27°
  = 60 – 27 = 33°.
Example 1.4. Determine the horizontal force and a force inclined at an angle of 60° with
the vertical whose resultant equals a vertical force of 60 kN.(See in Fig. 1.20)
Solution. Using law of parallelogram
P = F1
Q = F
 = 90°
 = 90 + 60 = 150°
R = 60 kN
F2 sin 150 Fig. 1.20
 = tan–1
F1  F2 cos 150
or F1 + F2 cos 150 = 0 [ tan  = tan 90 =  ]
Upon squaring the above equation
F12 + F22 cos2 150 + 2F1 F2 cos 150 = 0
F12 + 2F1F2 cos 150 = – F22 cos2 150° ....(i)

But Resultant R= P 2  Q 2  2 PQ cos  , gives

R2 = F12 + F22 + 2F1F2 cos 150
or – F22 = F12 + 2F1F2 cos 150
R2 ..(ii)
From equation (i) and (ii)
R2 – F22 = – F22 cos2 150
R2 = F22 (1 – cos2 150) = F22 sin2 150 = 0.25 F22

R2
or F2 = = 2R = 2  60 = 120 kN
0.25
 3
and F1 = – F2 cos 150 = – 120    = 60 3
 2 
Example 1.5. Two cables which have known
tensions of 40 N and 60 N are attached to the top of
a tower PQ. What tensions will be induced in the
wire PR if the resultant of the forces exerted at the
top P, by the cables acts vertically downwards?
Solution. Given that the resultant of the forces
at the top P, acts vertically downwards, means
Fx = 0, it gives
 40 cos 15 – 60 cos 30 + T cos  = 0
 40 cos 15 – 60 cos 30 + T cos 56.31 = 0
15 Fig. 1.21
T = 24 N = tan–1 = 56.31°
10
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Example 1.6. Determine the resultant of the force sys-

tem shown in Fig. 1.22.
Solution: Resolving all the forces along x and y direc-
tion and finding the algebric sum of forces along x and y di-
rection assuming following sign convention;

Fig. 1.22
Fx = 5 cos30 + 10 cos60 + 12 cos40 – 4 – 15 cos60 – 12 sin40
= – 0.69 N (leftward)
Fy = 5 sin30 + 10 sin60 – 12 sin40 – 15 sin60 – 8 + 12 cos40
= – 8.35 N (downward)

Magnitude of resultant R = (Fx )2  (Fy )2

= (0.69)2  (8.35)2

Fy 8.35
Direction of resultant  = tan–1 = tan–1
Fx 0.69 Fig. 1.23
= 85.28° (From x-axis in IIIrd quadrant)
Example 1.7. Determine the resultant of the four
forces acting on the body as shown in Fig. 1.24.
1
Solution. tan  =
2
 = 26.56°
12
tan  =
5
 = 67.38°
Resolving all the forces along x and y directions
Fx = 3 cos 30° – 2.24 cos 26.56° Fig. 1.24
– 2 cos 60° + 3.9 cos 67.38° = 1.094 kN
Fy = 3 sin 30° + 2.24 sin 26.56° – 2 sin 60°
– 3.9 sin 67.38° = – 2.83 kN.

 R= (1.094)2  (2.83)2 = 3.034 kN

2.83
 = tan–1
1.094
= 68.86° [From horizontal in IVth quadrant] Fig. 1.25
FORCE SYSTEM 13

Example 1.8. Find the component of 1000 N force along

the axis shown in Fig. 1.26.
Solution. Since force along oa and ob will be the com-
ponent of 1000 N force, then these forces must be in equi-
librium with equilibrant of 1000 N force.
Applying Lami’s theorem Fig. 1.26

1000 Fo a Fo b
= =
sin (180 – 45) sin (45  15) sin (180 – 15)

1000
Foa =  sin 60
sin (135)
= 1224.75 N
Fig. 1.27
1000
Fob =  sin 165
sin (135)
= 366.03 N.
Example 1.9. The force F acting on the frame has a magnitude of 500 N and it is to be
resolved into two components acting along strut. AB and AC. Determine the angle  so that
component FAC is directed from A towards C and has a magnitude of 400 N, see Fig. 1.28.
Solution. Considering joint A, applying Lami’s theorem

500 FAB FAC

= =
sin (60) sin () sin (360 – 60 – )

Fig. 1.28 Fig. 1.29

 FAC = 400
500 400
 
sin 60 sin (300 – )

4
 sin (300 – ) = sin 60
5
 sin (300 – ) = 0.6928
or 300 –  = 43.87 or (180 + 43.87)
 = 256.13° or 76.13°
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Example 1.10: An electric light fixture weighing 50 N hangs from point C by two strings
AC and BC as shown in Fig. 1.30 (a). Determine forces in string AC and BC.

Fig. 1.30
Solution. Applying Lami’s theorem by considering forces on joint C as shown in
Fig. 1.30 (b).
TAC TBC 50
= =
sin (180 – 45) sin (180 – 30) sin (45  30)
50
 TAC =  sin 135 = 36.594 N
sin 75
50
 TBC =  sin 150 = 25.88 N.
sin 75
Example 1.11. A string ABCDE whose extremity A is fixed has weights W1 and W2
attached to it at B and C, and passes round a smooth peg at D carrying a weight of 800 N at the
free end E. If in a state of equilibrium, BC is horizontal and AB and CD make angles of 150°
and 120° respectively with BC, make calculations for
(a) tensions in the portions AB, BC, CD and DE.
(b) value of weight W1 and W2

Fig. 1.31
Solution. Let T1, T2, T3 and T4 are the tensions in portion AB, BC, CD and DE respec-
tively. At D there is a smooth peg, therefore
T3 = T4 = 800 N
Applying Lami’s theorem at joint C
T3 T2 W2
= =
sin (90) sin (270 – 120) sin (120)
FORCE SYSTEM 15

T3 800
 T2 =  sin 150 = sin 150 = 400 N.
sin 90 1
T3
W2 =  sin 120 = 800  sin 120 = 692.8 N.
sin 90
Now applying Lami’s theorem at point B
T2 T2 W1
= =
sin (270 – 150) sin (90) sin (150)
T2
 T1 =  sin 90 = 461.89 N
sin 120
T2
W1 = sin 150 = 230.95 N.
sin 120
Example 1.12. A roller of weight 500 N rests on a smooth inclined
plane and is kept free from rolling down by a string as shown in Fig.
1.32. Calculate tension in the string and reaction at the point of contact.
Solution. Considering FBD of roller.
Applying Lami’s theorem,
T RB 500
= =
sin (180 – 45) sin (90  30) sin (90  45 – 30) Fig. 1.32
500
 T=  sin 135 = 365.94 N
sin 105
500
RB =  sin 120 = 448.24 N.
sin 105

Fig. 1.33
Example 1.13. A uniform bar of mass m = 2 kg is
resting as shown in Fig. 1.34. Find angle  for
equililbrium of bar.

Fig. 1.34
16

Solution. Considering FBD of bar:

Fig. 1.35
Since bar is kept in equilibrium under the action of three non-parallel forces, they must be
concurrent.
Applying Lami’s theorem
RA (2 × 9.81) RC
= =
sin (180 – ) sin (180 – 90  ) sin 90
RA R
 = (2 × 9.81) = C
sin  cos  1
sin  2 × 9.81
or RA = 2  9.81  , RC =
cos  cos 
Taking moment about point A
MA = 0
6
 RC  AC – (2  9.81)  cos = 0
2
(2 × 9.81) 2 6  2 
  = (2  9.81)  cos   AC  
cos  cos  2  cos  
2
 cos3  =
3
 = 29.12°.
Example 1.14. Two identical spheres of weight 50 N each and ra-
dius 0.3 m are placed between two vertical walls as shown in Fig. 1.36.
Find reactions at point of contact.
Solution. From PQM
QM 1 – 0.3 – 0.3 0.4 2
cos  = = = =
PQ 0.3 + 0.3 0.6 3
 = 48.19°
Sphere P is in equilibrium under the action of three forces, so apply-
ing Lami’s theorem Fig. 1.36

RC RD 50
= =
sin (90 + 48.19) sin (90) sin (180 – 48.19)
 RC = 44.72 N
RD = 67.08 N.
FORCE SYSTEM 17

Fig. 1.37
Applying equilibrium equations for sphere Q
Fx = 0  RA – RD cos  = 0
 RA = 67.08 cos 48.19
 RA = 44.72 N
Fy = 0  RB – 50 – RD sin  = 0
 RB = 50 + 67.08 sin 48.19
 RB = 100 N.
Example 1.15. Two spheres rests in a smooth trough as shown
in Fig. 1.38. Find forces at all point of contact. Smaller sphere P has
radius 200 mm and weight 200 N while sphere Q has radius 250 mm
and weight 500 N.
Solution. From Fig. 1.39 (a),
PQ = 250 + 200 = 450 mm
Let QM = x = BN
EB = 600 – (200 + x) = 400 – x
Fig. 1.38
Similar triangles, QAE and QBE gives
QEA = QEB =  = 60° [ 2 + 60 = 180°]

Fig. 1.39
18

250
 QBE gives, tan 60 = or x = 255.66 mm
400 – x

QM 255.66
 PMQ gives, cos  = or cos  = or  = 55.38°
PQ 450
Now applying Lami’s theorem for sphere P [Fig. 1.39 (b)]
RC RD 200
= =
sin (90 + ) sin (90) sin (180 – )
 RC = 138.07 N
RD = 243.03 N
Applying equilibrium equations for sphere Q
Fx = 0  RA cos 30 – RD cos 55.38 = 0
 RA = 159.43 N
Fy = 0  RA sin 30 + RB – 500 – RD sin  = 0
 RB = 620.28 N.
Example 1.16. Two cylinders of masses 100 kg and 50 kg are connected by a rigid bar of
negligible weight hinged at the centre of each cylinder. Determine magnitude of force P for
equilibrium.

Fig. 1.40
Solution. Considering FBD of each cylinder
Applying Lami’s theorem for cylinder A
R1 C 981
= =
sin (90  15) sin (90  13) sin (180 – 30 – 15)

Fig. 1.41
FORCE SYSTEM 19

sin 105
 R1 = 981  = 1340.07 N
sin 135
sin 120
and C = 981  = 1201.47 N (compressive)
sin 135
Applying equilibrium equations for cylinder B
Fx = 0  C cos 15 – R2 sin 45 – P cos 45 = 0
 P + R2 = 1641.24 ...(1)
Fy = 0  – 490.5 + R2 cos 45 – P sin 45 – C sin 15 = 0
 R2 cos 45 – P sin 45 = 801.46
 R2 – P = 1133.435 ...(2)
Solving equation (1) and (2), we get
P = 253.9 N.
Example 1.17. A 600 N cylinder is supported by the frame BCD as shown in Fig. 1.42.
Frame is hinged at D. Determine the reaction at A, B, C and D.

Fig. 1.42 Fig. 1.43

Solution. Considering FBD of sphere [Fig. 1.42]
Fx = 0  RA = RC
Fy = 0  RB = 600 N
As the frame is in equilibrium under the actions of three non-parallel forces only, they
must be concurrent. Finding the direction of RD as
600 – 150
tan  = ,  = 71.565°
150
Fx = 0  RC = RD cos 
Fy = 0  RD sin  = RB
600
 RD = = 632.456 N
sin 71.565
 RC = 632.456  cos 71.565 = 200 N = RA.
Example 1.18. A roller of radius r = 300 mm and weight 2000 N is to be pulled over an
obstacle of height 150 mm, by a horizontal force P applied to the end of a string wound tightly
20

around the circumference of the roller. Find the magnitude of P required to start the roller
move over the obstacle. What is the least pull P through the centre of the wheel to just turn the
roller over the obstacle?
Solution. When roller is about to turn over the obstacle, the contact with the floor is lost
and hence there is no reaction from the floor. Remaining three forces on the roller must be
concurrent for maintaining equilibrium.
Case I. Force P applied horizontally from the top of the roller.

Fig. 1.44

OC 300 – 150
cos  = = ,  = 60°
OA 300
Now AC = OA sin 60 = 259.8 mm
AC 259.8
 tan  = = = 0.577
BC 600 – 150
 = 30°
Now applying equilibrium equations
Fx = 0  R sin 30 – P = 0 ...(1)
Fy = 0  R cos 30 – 2000 = 0
2000
 R= = 2309.40 N
cos 30
From equation (1), P = R sin 30 = 2309.4 sin 30 = 1154.70 N.
Case II. Least force P applied through the centre of the roller.

Fig. 1.45
If the force triangle ABC is constructed, Fig. 1.45 (c), representing self weight by AB,
reaction R by BC and pull P by AC, it may be observed that for pull P (i.e. AC) to be least, it
should be perpendicular to BC. In other words P makes an angle of 90° with R.
FORCE SYSTEM 21

Fx = 0  R sin  – P cos = 0 ...(1)

Fy = 0  P sin  – 2000 + R cos = 0
 P sin  + R cos  = 2000
2000
 P tan  + R =
cos 
2000
 R= – P.tan 60 [  = 60]
cos 60
 R = 4000 – 1.732 P
Putting value of R in equation (1)
 (4000 – 1.732 P)  0.866 – 0.5P = 0
4000  0.866
 P= = 1732.8 N.
1.999
Example 1.19. Determine the resultant of four forces tangent to the circle of radius 3 m
shown in Fig. 1.46. What will be its location with respect to the centre of the circle ?
Solution.

Fig. 1.46 (a)

Finding the algebraic sum of forces along horizontal and vertical directions.
Fx = 150 – 100 cos 45 = 79.29 N
Fy = 50 – 80 – 100 sin 45 = – 100.7 N
 Magnitude of resultant R= ( Fx )2  ( Fy ) 2

= (79.29)2 + (100.7)2 = 128.17 N

Fig. 1.46 (b)
Direction of resultant from x-axis
100.7
 = tan–1 = 51.78° [IVth quadrant]
79.29
Location of resultant can be find out using Verignon’s theorem, considering moment
about centre
 R sin   x = 150  3 – 50  3 + 100 3 – 80  3
 128.17 sin 51.78  x = 360
360
 x=
128.17  sin 51.78
= 3.575 m
Perpendicular distance (d) of the force from cen-
tre O is,
d
= sin  d = x sin  = 2.809 m.
x Fig. 1.46 (c)
22

Example 1.20. Find the resultant of the force system shown in Fig. 1.47, acting on a Lamina
of equilateral triangular shape.

Fig. 1.47
Solution. Finding algebraic sum of forces along x and y directions.
Fx = 80 – 120 cos 30 – 100 cos 60 = – 73.92 N
Fy = – 80 – 120 sin 30 + 100 sin 60 = – 53.40 N
Magnitude of resultant R = (73.92)2 + (53.40)2 = 91.19 N
Direction of resultant from x-axis
53.40
= tan–1 = 35.84° [IIIrd quadrant]
73.92
Fig. 1.47 (a)
Considering moment about point A, using Verignon’s theorem
R sin . x = 80  50 + 80 100 sin 60 + 120 sin 30 100
x = 317.008 mm.
Example 1.21. Find the resultant of a set of coplanar forces acting on a Lamina as shown
in Fig. 1.48. Each square has side of 10 mm.
Solution.

Fig. 1.48
FORCE SYSTEM 23

Let 1, 2 and 3 are the slopes of forces as shown.

1 = tan –1 1 = 45°
30
2 = tan–1 = 37°
40
10
3 = tan–1 = 30° Fig. 1.48 (a)
20
Fx = 2 cos 1 + 5 cos 2 – 1.5 cos 3 = 4.0726 kN.
Fy = 2 sin 1 – 5 sin 2 – 1.5 sin 3 = – 2.26 kN
R= (4.0726)  (2.26)2 = 4.66 kN (IVth quadrant)
2.26
 = tan–1 = 28.99°
4.0726
Taking moment about O, using Verignon’s theorem
R sin  . x = 2 cos 1  30 + 5 cos 2  30 + 5 sin 2  10
– 1.5 cos 3  10 + 1.5 cos 3  30
199.13
x=
4.66 × sin 28.99°
= 88.169 mm.
Perpendicular distance of resultant from O,
d = x sin 
= 88.169 × sin 28.99
= 42.73 mm. Fig. 1.48 (b)
Example 1.22: A hollow right circular cylinder of radius 800 mm, is open at both ends and
rests on a smooth horizontal plane as shown in Fig. 1.49. Inside the cylinder there are two
spheres having weights 1 kN and 3 kN and radii 400 mm and 600 mm respectively. The lower
sphere also rests on the horizontal plane. Neglecting friction find the minimum weight W of the
cylinder for which it will not tip over.
Solution: Considering O1, O2 M, Fig. 1.49 (a)
1600 – 400 – 600
cos  = = 0.6,  = 53.13°
400  600
 sin = 0.8

Fig. 1.49
24

Applying Lami’s theorem for sphere O1

R1 R4 1
= =
sin (90  ) sin (90) sin (180 – )
sin (90  53.13)
R1 = 1  = 0.75 kN
sin (180  53.13)
R4 = 1.25 kN
Equilibrium equations for sphere O2
Fx = 0  R4 cos  – R2 = 0
 R2 = 1.25 cos 53.13
 R2 = 0.75 kN
Fy = 0  R3 – 3 – R4 sin  = 0
 R3 = 3 +1.25 sin 53.13
 R3 = 4 kN.
Now considering the equilibrium of cylinder, when it is about to tip over A, then there will
be no reaction from ground at B.
MA = 0  R1 h1 – R2 h2 – W  800 = 0
 R1 (h1 – h2) – W  800 = 0
 R1 (O1 M) – W  800 = 0
 R1 [(400 + 600) sin  ] – W  800 = 0
0.75 (1000 sin 53.13)
 W=
800
 W = 0.75 kN.