Force Systems 1

Mechanics
Module I: Force Systems
Lesson 2: Force Systems - I
1 Force System
Figure 1: A force system
A distribution of external or applied forces (concentrated/distributed) and
moments (concentrated/distributed), as shown in Fig. 1, is known as a force
system. A planar force system consists of forces in the plane, and moments
perpendicular to the plane.

Figure 2: A couple and the corresponding couple moment
2 Couple and Couple-Moment
A couple is a force system consisting of two parallel but oppositely directed
force vectors of equal magnitude, as shown in Fig. 2. The two forces define
a unique plane in which they lie. The net moment of the couple about the
point O, given by
M = rA × F + rB × (−F)
= (rA − rB ) × F
= r × F,
is known as the couple moment. The couple moment has a magnitude M =
d F (where d is the perpendicular distance between the lines of action of
the couple forces), and is directed perpendicular to the plane containing the
couple forces. Observe that the couple moment is independent of the location
of the point O, and hence can be determined/applied at any point of the body.
Such a vector is known as a free vector.
2
A concentrated moment may be considered as a limiting case of a cou-
ple with vanishing perpendicular distance between the couple forces (whose
magnitudes tend to infinity), but with a non-zero finite couple-moment. Con-
sequently, a concentrated moment is also a free vector.
3 Shifting the Line of Action of a Force
Consider a force system comprising a single force F acting at a point A on
a rigid body, as shown in Fig. 3. The line of action of the force vector can
be shifted parallely without altering the net effect following the procedure as
follows (see Fig. 3)
Figure 3: Shifting the line of a force
• Introduce the two forces F and −F at O (equivalent to a zero force at
O)
• Pair up the forces F at A and −F at O to obtain a couple
• Replace the couple by the couple moment M = r × F (Note that the
vector r is defined from the new point O to the old point A).
3
Thus, we now obtain a new force system comprising the shifted force and
a couple-moment. We will term the initial and the final force systems as
equivalent.
4 Equivalent Force System at a Point
Figure 4: Equivalent force system at a point
For a given force and moment distribution, an equivalent force system at
a point, as shown in Fig. 4 is given by
• the resultant force at the point obtained by the vector sum of all forces
P
shifted to that point, i.e., F = i Fi, and
• the vector sum of all moments and moments due to all forces about that
P P
point, i.e., M = i Mi + j rj × Fj .
It is important to note that the resultant force vector F of the equivalent
force system is independent of the location of O, while the resultant moment
vector M depends on it.
4
Figure 5:
5 Problems
Problem 1
A rod bent at 90◦ and grounded at O supports a taut cable at B, as shown in
Fig. 5. Replace the 750 N force at B due to the cable by an equivalent force
system at O. Hence, determine (a) the torsional moment in OA, and (b) the
bending moment at O due to the cable tension.
Solution
Representation of the cable tension vector:
−−→ −→ −−→
BC = OC − OB
−→
OC = 0.7ĵ + 1.2k̂ m
−−→
OB = 1.6î + 0.8(− sin 30◦ĵ + cos 30◦k̂) m
5
Hence,
−−
→
BC = −1.6î + 1.1ĵ + 0.507k̂ m
√
d = −
The unit vector BC
−→
BC/BC, where BC = 1.62 + 1.12 + 0.5072 m.
d N = −598î + 189.5k̂ N. This is also the resultant force of
Now, T = 750BC
the equivalent force system at O.

−→
Resultant couple moment MO = OC × T = −361î − 718ĵ + 419k̂ Nm.
d
(a) Torsional moment in OA is the moment about OA
d = −361 Nm.
Mt = MO · OA
(b) The bending moment at O is the projection of the moment MO in the

d
plane perpendicular to OA,
d OA
Mb = MO − (MO · OA) d = −718ĵ + 419k̂ Nm.
Magnitude of the bending moment Mb = 831 Nm.
Figure 6:
Problem 2
In Fig. 6, determine the equivalent force system at O, and the torsional
6
moment which tends to screw the pipe into the block at O.
Solution
FA = 150ĵ N, rA = −0.25î m
FB = −200ĵ N, rB = 0.25î m
Resultant force at O
F = FA + FB = −50ĵ N.
−→ −−→
Couple-moment due to shifting of the forces MO = OA×FA +OB×FB , where
−→ −−→
OA = rA − rO , OB = rB − rO and the vector rO = −0.2k̂ + 0.15(sin 20◦î −
cos 20◦k̂) m. Hence,
MO = 17.05î − 84.93k̂ Nm.
The moment tending to screw the pipe along the unit normal to the block
n̂ = − cos 20◦k̂ + sin 20◦î is Mn = MO · n̂ = 85.6 Nm.

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Mechanics

Module I: Force Systems

Lesson 2: Force Systems - I

Figure 1: A force system

A distribution of external or applied forces (concentrated/distributed) and

moments (concentrated/distributed), as shown in Fig. 1, is known as a force

perpendicular to the plane.

2 Couple and Couple-Moment

A couple is a force system consisting of two parallel but oppositely directed

is known as the couple moment. The couple moment has a magnitude M =

d F (where d is the perpendicular distance between the lines of action of

Such a vector is known as a free vector.

magnitudes tend to infinity), but with a non-zero finite couple-moment. Con-

sequently, a concentrated moment is also a free vector.

3 Shifting the Line of Action of a Force

Consider a force system comprising a single force F acting at a point A on

follows (see Fig. 3)

Figure 3: Shifting the line of a force

• Introduce the two forces F and −F at O (equivalent to a zero force at

• Pair up the forces F at A and −F at O to obtain a couple

• Replace the couple by the couple moment M = r × F (Note that the

4 Equivalent Force System at a Point

Figure 4: Equivalent force system at a point

For a given force and moment distribution, an equivalent force system at

a point, as shown in Fig. 4 is given by

It is important to note that the resultant force vector F of the equivalent

force system is independent of the location of O, while the resultant moment

vector M depends on it.

A rod bent at 90◦ and grounded at O supports a taut cable at B, as shown in

bending moment at O due to the cable tension.

Representation of the cable tension vector:

the equivalent force system at O.

(b) The bending moment at O is the projection of the moment MO in the

Magnitude of the bending moment Mb = 831 Nm.

In Fig. 6, determine the equivalent force system at O, and the torsional

cos 20◦k̂) m. Hence,

MO = 17.05î − 84.93k̂ Nm.

n̂ = − cos 20◦k̂ + sin 20◦î is Mn = MO · n̂ = 85.6 Nm.

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