MAE 241 - Statics

Summer 2009

Dr. Konstantinos A. Sierros

Office Hours: M and W 10:30 – 11:30 (263 ESB new add)
kostas.sierros@mail.wvu.edu
Teaching Blog: http://wvumechanicsonline.blogspot.com
1) Determine the magnitude and direction measured
counterclockwise from the positive x axis of the resultant
force of the three forces acting on the ring A. Take F1 =
500 N and θ = 20°.
2) Determine the force in each cord for equilibrium of the
200-kg crate. Cord BC remains horizontal due to the roller
at C , and AB has a length of 1.5m. Set y = 0.75 m.
3) Determine the tension developed in each wire used to
support the 50-kg chandelier.
 Chapter 4: Force system resultants

Chapter objectives
• Moment of a force
• Method for finding moment of
a force
• Moment of a couple
• Resultants of nonconcurrent
force systems
• Reducing simple distributed
loading to a resultant force
 4.1 Moment of a force – Scalar formulation

• When a force is applied to a body, it produces a tendency for the body

to rotate about a point that is not on the line of action of the force
• This tendency is called torque or moment of a force

• The magnitude of the moment is directly

proportional to the magnitude of F and the
perpendicular distance d
• The larger the force or the longer the arm,
the greater the moment/turning effect
 4.1 Moment of a force – Scalar formulation

• If F is applied at an angle θ • If F is applied along the wrench,

different than 90 , it will be more
o
its moment arm will be zero
difficult to turn the bolt since d´ < d
 4.1 Moment of a force – Scalar formulation

Magnitude

Mo = F d

d is the moment arm or perpendicular distance

from the axis at point O to the line of action
of the force F

(units N m or lb ft)
 4.1 Moment of a force – Scalar formulation

Direction
Right hand rule. The curl of the fingers, as
they are drawn towards the palm, represent
the tendency for rotation. The thumb, gives
the directional sense of Mo

• Mo is perpendicular to the plane formed by

F and d
 4.1 Moment of a force – Scalar formulation

Resultant moment

• For 2D problems, the resultant

moment, MRo, can be determined by
the algebraic sum of the individual
moments caused by each force
• Positive moments-counterclockwise

+ (MRo) = ΣF d ;

MRo = F1d1 – F2d2 + F3d3

 4.2 Cross product
• The cross product of two vectors A and B yields the vector C,
which is written: C = A x B (C equals A cross B)
• The magnitude of C is defined as the product of the magnitudes
of A and B and the sine of the angle θ between their tails
C = AB sin θ
• The direction of C is perpendicular to the
plane formed by A and B
(use the right hand rule)
C = AxB = (AB sin θ)uc
magnitude

direction
 4.2 Cross product
Laws of operation

• AxB = BxA but AxB=-BxA

• α (AxB) = (αA)xB = Ax(αB) = (AxB) α

• Ax(B+D) = (AxB)+(AxD)
 4.2 Cross product

Cartesian vector formulation

 4.3 Moment of force – Vector formulation
Magnitude

Mo = r x F

Mo = rF sinθ = F (r sinθ) = Fd
 4.3 Moment of force – Vector formulation

Cartesian vector formulation

 4.4 Principle of moments

Mo = r x F = r x (F1+F2) = r x F1 + r x F2