R = ( f xi ) 2 + ( f y i ) 2
R = tan 1
( ff )
yi
xi
Equilibrium: Equilibrium is the status of the body when it is subjected to a system of forces. We
know that for a system of forces acting on a body the resultant can be determined. By Newtons
2nd Law of Motion the body then should move in the direction of the resultant with some
acceleration. If the resultant force is equal to zero it implies that the net effect of the system of
forces is zero this represents the state of equilibrium. For a system of coplanar concurrent forces
for the resultant to be zero, hence
= 0
= 0
Equilibriant : Equilbriant is a single force which when added to a system of forces brings the
status of equilibrium . Hence this force is of the same magnitude as the resultant but opposite in
sense. This is depicted in Fig 4.
Free Body Diagram: Free body diagram is nothing but a sketch which shows the various forces
acting on the body. The forces acting on the body could be in form of weight, reactive forces
contact forces etc. An example for Free Body Diagram is shown below.
Equilibrium of 3 Forces: When a set of three forces constituting coplanar concurrent system act
on a body Lamis theorem can be made use of for examining the status of equilibrium. This is
depicted in the following figure.
F1
F
F
= 2 = 3
Sin Sin Sin
Example 1 : A spherical ball of weight 75N is attached to a string and is suspended from the
ceiling. Compute tension in the string if a horizontal force F is applied to the ball. Compute the
angle of the string with the vertical and also tension in the string if F =150N
f xi = 0
f T cos = 0
150 T cos = 0
T cos = 150
Example 2: A string or cable is hung from a horizontal ceiling from two points A and D. The
string AD, at two points B and C weights are hung. At B, which is 0.6 m from a weight of 75 N
is hung. C, which is 0.35 m from D, a weight of wc is hung. Compute wc such that the string
portion BC is horizontal.
FBD of B
xi
=0
=0
i
TAB sin 1 75 = 0
TAB = 75 2 N , TBC = 75 N
FBD of C
xi
=0
=0
i
TCD sin 2 Wc = 0
Wc = 128.57 N
Example 3: A block of weight 120N is kept on a smooth inclined plane. The plane makes an
angle of 320 with horizontal and a force F allied parallel to inclined plane. Compute F and also
normal reaction.
LAMIS Theorem
120
F
NR
=
=
o
o
Sin90
Sin(180 32)
Sin(90 + 32) o
F = 63.59 N
N R= 101.76 N
Example 4: Three smooth circular cylinders are placed in an arrangement as shown. Two
cylinders are of radius 052mm and weight 445 N are kept on a horizontal surface. The centers of
these cylinders are tied by a string which is 406 mm long. On these two cylinders, third cylinder
of weight 890N and of same diameter is kept. Find the force S in the string and also forces at
points of contact.
LAMIS Theorem
FBD of B
FBD of A
FAC = 598N
FBA = 598 N
f
f
xi
y
=0
=0
FBC = 399.5 N
RD = 890 N
R = f x + f y
i
i
fy
fxi
R = tan -1
dR =
XR =
M
f
xi
Mo
=
7. And Y interceptyRas
fx
i
Example 1: Compute the resultant for the system of forces shown in Fig 2 and hence compute
the Equilibriant.
xi
yi
= 8 - 14.4 - 32 sin 60 o
= - 34.11 KN
R = 44.6 KN
R = 49.83o
+ M o = 14.4(3) + 32 cos 60o (4) 32 sin 60o (3)
= 62.34 KNM
62.34
dR =
= 1.396 m
44.64
62.34
xR =
= 1.827 m
34.11
62.34
yR =
= 2.164 m
28.8
Example 2: Find the Equilibriant for the rigid bar shown in Fig 3 when it is subjected to forces.
f
f
xi
y
=0
= 516 KN
R = 90o ;
Equilibrium: The concept of equilibrium is the same as explained earlier. For a system of
Coplanar Non concurrent forces for the status of equilibrium the equations to be satisfied are
xi
= 0; f yi = 0; M o = 0;
Example 3: A bar AB of length 3.6 m and of negligible weight is acted upon by a vertical force
F1 = 336kN and a horizontal force F2 = 168kN shown in Fig 4. The ends of the bar are in
contact with a smooth vertical wall and smooth incline. Find the equilibrium position of the bar
by computing the angle .
tan = 0.9
= 36.87
xi
1 .2
=0
yi
=0
RB sin 53.13o F1 = 0
RB = 420 KN ;
+ M B = 0;
H A (3.6 sin ) + 336(2.1 cos ) - 168 (1.2 sin ) = 0
- 1310.4 sin + 705.6 cos = 0
tan = 0.538
= 28.3o
Equations are
xi
= 0; f yi = 0; M o = 0;
SUPPORT REACTIONS IN BEAMS: Beams are structural members which are generally
horizontal. They are subjected to lateral forces which act orthogonal to the length of the member.
There are various types of mechanisms used for supporting the beams. At these supports the
reactive forces are developed which are determined by using the concept of equilibrium. The
different types of supports are depicted in the table below.
SUPPORT
REACTION
NO.OF REACTIONS
(1)
ROLLER
VA
HINGE
(2)
FIXED
(3)
TYPES OF LOADS ACTING ON BEAMS: There are various types of forces or loads which
act on beams. They are (a) Concentrated or point load (b) Uniformly distributed load (UDL) (c)
Uniformly varying load (UVL) (d) Arbitrary distributed load. The methodology of converting
UDL, UVL to equivalent point load is shown in the Fig below.
Some example problems of determining support reactions in beams are illustrated next.
Example 4: Determine the support reactions for the beam shown in Fig 7 at A and B.
f
f
M
xi
= 0;
yi
= 0;
= 0;
VA 10 25 32 + VB = 0
VA + VB = 67 KN ;
+MA = 0
10(2) 25(5) 32(9) + VB (10) = 0
VB = 43.3KN
VA = 23.7 KN
Example 5: Determine the support reactions for the beam shown in Fig 8 at A and B.
f
f
xi
= 0; H A = 0
yi
= 0;V A - 40 - 40 + VB = 0
VA + VB = 80
Example 6: Determine the support reactions for the beam shown in Fig 9 at A and B.
xi
= 0;
H A 17.32 = 0
H A = 17.32 KN
yi
=0
V A 10 20 15 10 + VB = 0
V A + VB = 55
+MA = 0
10 2 + 25 20(6) + VB (8) 15(9) 10(11) = 0
VB = 45 KN; V A = 10 KN
Example 7: Determine the support reactions for the beam shown in Fig 10 at A and B.
xi
= 0;
H A RB sin300 = 0
H A = 0.5RB
yi
VA + 0.866RB = 20
+ MB = 0;
VA (10) + 20(6) = 0
VA = 12KN;
RB = 9.24KN;
H A = 4.62KN;
Review
Coplanar system of Forces.
Concurrent, Non Concurrent.
Resultant, Equilibrium.
Concept of Equilibrium.
Examples.
Analysis of Trusses
ANALYSIS OF PLANE TRUSSES: Trusses are special structures which are formed by joining
different members. Trusses are used as part of roofing systems in industrial buildings, factories
workshops etc. Prominent features of trusses are
A typical figure of a plane truss and the scheme by which truss configuration is arrived at is
shown by the following figures.
Plane Trusses
Truss configuration
Analysis of Trusses: Analysis of trusses would imply determining forces in various members.
These forces will be in the form of Axial Tension (or) Compression. The
Equilibrium concept is made use of for analyzing the trusses. The two methods of analysis are
1. Method of Joints.
2. Method of Sections.
These two methods of analysis are illustrated by the following examples
Example 1:
fxi=0
fyi=0
HA= - 10 KN
VA+VB =27.32
+ MA = 0
CD 2.25
=
AD
3
= 36.87 o ;
tan =
FBD of joint A
fxi=0
fyi=0; VA + PACsin =0
PAC =-16.52 KN
PAD=23.21 KN
fxi=0
-PAD + PDB = 0
PDB = 23.21 KN
fyi=0
-10+PCD = 0
PCD = 10 KN
fxi=0
PBC = -29.02 KN
fyi=0
VB +PBC sin = 0
Sl.No
Member
Force
Nature
AC
16.52
AD
23.21
CB
29.02
CD
10
DB
23.21
Example 2 : Analyse the truss shown in figure and hence compute member forces.
fxi=0
HA-10+10=0; HA = 0
fyi=0
VA+ VB 20= 0
VA+ VB= 20
+ MA = 0
10(4)-20(3)+10(4)+VE(6)=0
VE = 10 KN;
VA =10 KN;
Symmetrical
o Geometry ;
o Loads
-(-10)-0.8 PBC = 0
PBC= 12.5 KN
PBD =2.5 KN
fxi = 0
PAC=0
fyi = 0
PAB + 10 =0
PAB = - 10KN
tan = 4/3
=53.13o
fxi = 0
fyi = 0
fxi = 0
-PDF PDB = 0
PDF = -2.5 KN
fyi = 0
PDC=0
Symmetrical
Sl.No
Member
Force
Nature
AB, EF
10 KN
AC, CE
BC, FC
12.5 KN
BD, FD
2.5 KN
DC
Example 3: Analyse the truss shown in figure and hence compute member forces.
Isosceles triangle;
CD = DB = a
fxi = 0 HA = 0
fyi = 0
VA+VB = 5
+ MA=0
-5(2a)+VB(3a) = 0
a
C
d
=
=
;
o
o
sin 30
sin 90
sin 60 o
c = 2a
fxi = 0
fyi = 0
PAC = -3.34 KN
PAD = 2.89 KN
fxi = 0
fyi = 0
PDC = 5.77 KN
PDB = 5.77 KN
PBC = -6.66 KN
Sl. No
Member
Force
Nature
AC
-3.34 KN
AD
2.89 KN
BC
6.66 KN
BD
5.77 KN
CD
5.77 KN
Step 2: Place the section to cut not more than three members.
Example 4 : Compute the forces in members EC, FC and FD of the truss shown in figure.
MF = 0
20(3)+PEC(4) = 0
PEC = 15 KN (T)
PFC = 25 KN (T);
PFD = - 30 KN
= 30 KN (C)
Example 5 : Compute the forces in members BE, BD and CD of truss shown in Figure.
+ MB =0
-20(3)-PCD(BC) = 0
fxi=0
PBD+PBE=40
fyi=0
PBE PBD=80
Example 6: Compute the forces in members BD, CD and CE of the truss shown in figure.
Support reactions
fxi=0; HA + 24 =0
HA = -24 KN
fyi=0; VA + VB = 40+31+40=111 KN
+ MA=0
-40(3.6)-31(2)(3.6)-40(3)3.6-24(2.7)+4(3.6)VB = 0
VB = 60 KN; VA = 51 KN
+ MC=0
PBD= - 68 KN;
= 68 KN (c)
+ MD=0
- VA(2)(3.6)+2.7HA+40(3.6)+PCE(2.7)=0
PCE=106.67 KN (T)