RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

SOLVED PROBLEMS

SOLVED SUMS :
1)
Find resultant of following force system and locate it with respect to point
O. Also find the point where the resultant will cut x- and y-axis.

Ans.

In OBA,

3 BA

4 OA
3
= tan1
= 36.86
4
OBC = 36.86
tan =

F I
H K

(Alternate angle)

(Note :

Property (I) )

From above, we have resolved 20 KN at B,

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RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

Now,

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

Fx 20 20 sin36. 86 8KN 8KN af

Fy 10 20 cos 36. 86 20 6KN 6KN cBh
F Fy I
2
2
R = d Fx i d Fy i
= tan1 G
H Fx JK
= 10 KN

SOLVED PROBLEMS

= 36.86

means R is in third quadrant as both components of R, i.e.

Fx

and

Fy

are negative.)
To locate resultant with respect to O,
Let the resultant be at a distance of d from O.
By Varignons theorem,

MFo

20 5 20 4 40 R d

MRo

f a

{(20 5) is moment caused by 20 N at B, since 20 N is perpendicular to OB, and

moment is clockwise. Remember to add up 40 kNm as moment of a couple.}

(1)
20 10 d

d = 2 m from O
Now, in OMQ,
OM
d
sin =

OQ OQ
d
d

OQ =

sin sin36. 86
2

3. 3m
sin36. 86
Also, In QOP,
OP OP

tan =
OQ 3. 3

OP = 3.3 tan = 3.3 tan 36.86 = 2.5 m

x-intercept is OQ, i.e. 3.3 m and y-intercept is OP, i.e. 2.5 m. .. Answer

{Note : R could also have been represented as follows

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

Here both r have

Fx

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

SOLVED PROBLEMS

and Fy negative and R is in third quadrant.

But the possible case R generates a clockwise moment about O,

i.e.
MR = negative
(since clockwise)
But we are clear from equation (i) previously that, M R = 20 or R d = 20 or
positive. (Modulus sign was taken to determine d as d distance cannot be
negative). So R lies above O as shown in problem.}
2)

Find the resultant and locate point where resultant cuts centre line AB.

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

SOLVED PROBLEMS

Solution.

Here both the 20 KN forces are converted into a couple of magnitude

20 KNm ( ), because both 20 KN are equal and opposite forces separated by
fixed distance, i.e. 1 m which is diameter of circle with centre A.
Now,
Fx 5KN

a f
F 15KN cBh
R = d F i d F i = 5 15 = 15.81 KN
F F I = tan F 15I = 71.56
= tan G
H 5K
H F JK
y

Answer

To locate resultant with respect to A, (can be located with respect to any other
point also).
Let the resultant be at a distance of d from point A.
By Varignons theorem,

MFA

MR A

20 5 3 sin60 15 0. 5 1. 5 cos 60

1174
.
15. 81 d

Rd

d = 0.742 m

{ Explanation :
For 5 KN force, moment is calculated as follows,
Drop a perpendicular from B to P by extending horizontal line through A
In ABP,

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

SOLVED PROBLEMS

Moment of 5 KN is 5 (3 sin 60) ( )

Also BCD = BAP = 60
Corresponding angles
For 15 KN force, drop a perpendicular from D to horizontal at A, at point Q,
Remember points Q and P are different. We cant assume them to be same.

Now, perpendicular distance for moment of 15 KN is AQ,

i.e.
AR + RQ
i.e.
AR + 0.5
But AR = (1.5 cos 60 + 0.5)
and moment is 15 [0.5 + (1.5 cos 60)] (
)}

REPRESENTATION OF RESULTANT :

Answer
(R will be as shown because moment of R is 11.74, i.e. negative, i.e. clockwise)
We are required to find where the Resultant cuts AB.
Let R cut AB at S
Now, BAN = SAN = 60 Given
But
MAN = 180 71.56 = 18.44.. Since is 71.56

In ASM,
SAM = 60 18.44 = 41.56
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RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

SOLVED PROBLEMS

d
AS
0. 742

AS =
= 0.992 m
cos 41. 56
Resultant cuts line AB at a distance of 0.992 m from A. .. Answer

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

cos 41.56 =

3)
Determine resultant of force system. Two integral pulleys are subjected to
bolt tensions as shown. If resultant R of these forces passes through centr e O,
determine tension T and magnitude of R.

Solution.

Fx 200 150 160cos 30 T cos 30 = 21144 0.866 T

Fy = 160 sin 30 + T sin 30 = 80 + 0.5 T
Now, resultant cant be found since T is unknown.
But, they have mentioned that R passes through centre O.
It means if we take moment of R about O, it will be zero.

Let d be distance between R and point O,

By Varignons theorem,

MFo

MRo
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RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

f a

f a

f a

SOLVED PROBLEMS

200 200 150 200 160 100 T 100 R d

6000 100T 0

60 N
Substitute T = 60 N in

Fx

( R passes through d, R d = 0)

Fy , we get
Fy = 110 N ()
Fx = 159.5 N ()

and

dF i dF i = 159.5 110 = 193.75 N

F F I = tan F 110 I = 34.6
= tan G
H 159. 5 K
H F JK
2

R=

(Note : While taking moments, since 160 N is tangential to the circle of radius 100
mm and tangent is always perpendicular to radius
Hence moment of 160 N is 160 100 (
).
We could have taken the components two i.e. 160 cos 30 and 160 sin 30
but finding their respective distance from O would have been difficult.)
4)
A 150 mm 300 mm plate is subjected to four loads. Find the resultant of
the four loads and the two points at which the line of action of resultant intersects
the edges of plate.

Solution.

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

SOLVED PROBLEMS

Fx 250cos 45 250sin45 200 200N 200N af

Fy 250sin45 250cos 45 100 100N dAi

d F i d F i =
F F I = 26.6
= tan G
H F JK
2

R=

200 100 = 223.6N . Answer

To locate the resultant with respect to A.

Let d be distance of resultant from point A
By Varignons theorem,

MFA

MR A

a100 300f a250sin45 150f a250cos 45 150f a250sin45 150f

Rd

3483. 5 223. 6 d
d = 15.58 mm

{ Explanation : Moment of 200 N is zero as it passes through A. Moment of 100

N force at C is 100 300 ( ). Moment of 250 N at B cannot be taken directly as
250 N is inclined at 45 to AC.

250 cos 45 and 250 sin 45 are considered.

Now, remember while taking moments of components, always resolve at point
of application of force.

Resolution shown at B
Now, 250 cos 45 is passing through A, therefore it will not generate any moment
about A.
250 sin 45 is perpendicular to AB. Hence moment of 250 sin 45 is
250 sin 45 150 (
)
Now consider point E,

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

SOLVED PROBLEMS

Moment of 250 cos 45 force is 250 cos 45 150 (

45 is 250 sin 45 AF, i.e. 250 sin 45 150 (
) }

) and that of 250 sin

Resolution at E

Representation of Resultant,

( Moment generated by R is 3483.5 i.e. positive, therefore R should generate

anticlockwise moment about A. Hence R is as shown.)
Now R cuts ACDF at two points, i.e. M and N.
Position of M,
d
sin =
AM
15. 58

AM =
= 34.8 mm to right of A.
.Answer
sin26. 6
In MCN,
MC = AC AM = 300 34.8 = 265.2 mm
CN

tan =
MC

CN = MC tan
= 265.2 tan 26.6
= 132.8 mm below C

RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

4)

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

SOLVED PROBLEMS

Find resultant of force system and locate resultant

Solution :
From B to C, trapezoidal load varying from 20 KN/m to 60 KN/m can be
divided into UDL (uniformly distributed load and uniformly varying load)

UDL of magnitude 20 KN/m acting over a length of 3 m.

Total load is 20 3 = 60 KN acting at 1.5 m from B.

UVL of magnitude varying from 20 KN/m to 60 KN/m over 3 m span.

1
30 40 = 60 KN

Total load is
2
(Since total load is equal to area of triangle, height of is (60 20) = 40) acting
3
at m, i.e. C.G. of i.e. 1 m.
3
From C to D
UDL of magnitude 10 KN/m acting over 2 m.

Total load is (10 2) = 20 KN acting at 1 m from C.

F
H

I
K

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RESULTANT OF COPLANAR FORCES

GENERAL FORCES SYSTEM

SOLVED PROBLEMS

F.B.D. of beam,

Fy = 50 60 60 20 = 190 KN = 190 KN ()

R=

d F i d F i
2

= 190 KN ()

To locate resultant with respect to D,

Let d be distance of resultant from D,

MFo

MRo

. By varignons theorem

a50 7f a60 3.5f a60 3f a20 1f

760 190 d

Rd

d = 4 m to left of D

. Answer
{ Understanding:
A trapezoidal load is combination of UDL and UVL. We would want to convert all
loads to point forces for analysis
Again in above problem after varignons theorem we saw that moment of resultant
was +ve 760, ie resultant should generate anticlockwise moment.
Hence position of resultant is as shown }

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