Chapter Three Equilibrium

Examples 7: The homogeneous 60-kg disk supported by the rope AB rests

against a rough vertical wall. Using the given FBD, determine the force in the
rope and the reaction at the wall.

Solution: From the FBD

6MB =0 + gives FC = 0

W =60(9.81) = 588.6 N, acting at the center of the disk.

4
6Fy = 0 + T  588.6 0 T = 735.8 N
5

3 3
6Fx = 0 + NC  T 0 NC (735.8) 441 N
5 5

Another Method of Analysis

6MA = 0 + 200NC í .6) = 0 NC = 441 N

Example 8: The homogeneous, 120-kg wooden beam is suspended from ropes at

A and B. A power wrench applies the 500-N · m clockwise couple to tighten a

bolt at C. Use the given FBD to determine the tensions in the ropes.

Solution: W =mg =120(9.81) =1177.2 N acting at the

center of the beam,

From the FBD of the beam

6MA = 0 + 4TB í.2(3) í = 0

TB =1007.9 N

6Fy = 0 + TA + TB í.2 = 0

Substituting TB =1007.9 N and solving for TA, we get

TA =169.3 N

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.University of 4DGLVL\DK\Faculty of Eng.\Civil Dept 99 Mechanic\Static\1st Class
Chapter Three Equilibrium

Other Methods of Analysis

Another, equally convenient option is to compute TA using 6MB = 0 as

6MB = 0 + íTA + 1177.2(1.0) í = 0

TA =169.3 N

Example 9: The Frame shown

supports part of the roof of small
building. Knowing the tension in
the cable is 150 kN, determine the
reaction at the fixed end E.

Solution: Noting that DF (4.5) 2  (6) 2 7.5 m,

+ ; 4.5
6Fx = 0 Ex + (150) = 0
7.5

Ex = -90.0 kN = 90.0 kN

6
6Fy = 0 + ; Ey – 4(20) - (150) = 0
7.5

Ey = 200 kN

6ME = 0 + ;

6
(20)(1.8) + (20)(3.6) + (20)(5.4) + (20)(7.2) - (150)(4.5) + ME = 0 ME
7.5

= 180.0 kN.m

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.University of 4DGLVL\DK\Faculty of Eng.\Civil Dept 100 Mechanic\Static\1st Class
Chapter Three Equilibrium

Example 10: The box wrench in Figure (a) is used to tighten the bolt at A. If the
wrench does not turn when the load is
applied to the handle, determine the torque
or moment applied to the bolt and the force
of the wrench on the bolt.

Solution:

§ 12 ·
6MA = 0 + MA – [52 ¨ ¸ ](0.3) - 30 sin60o (0.7)= 0
© 13 ¹

MA = 32.6 N.m

§5·
6Fx = 0 + Ax - 52 ¨ ¸ + 30 cos60o = 0
© 13 ¹

Ax = 5.00 N

§ 12 ·
6Fy = 0 + Ay - 52 ¨ ¸ - 30 sin60o = 0
© 13 ¹

Ay = 74.0 N

Note that MA must be included in this moment summation. This couple moment
is a free vector and represents the twisting resistance of the bolt on the wrench.
By Newton's third law, the wrench exerts an equal but opposite moment or
torque on the bolt. Furthermore, the resultant force on the wrench is

FA (5.00) 2  (74.0) 2 74.1 N

Note: Although only three independent equilibrium equations can be written for
a rigid body, it is a good practice to check the calculation using a fourth
equilibrium equation. For example, the above computations may be verified in
part by summing moments about point C;

ª § 12 ·º
6MC = 0 + ; «52¨ ¸» (0.4) + 32.6 -74(0.7) = 0
13
¬ © ¹¼

19.2 + 32.6 -51.8 = 0

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.University of 4DGLVL\DK\Faculty of Eng.\Civil Dept 101 Mechanic\Static\1st Class
Chapter Three Equilibrium

Example 11: The 420-lb homogeneous log is supported

by a rope at A and loose-fitting rollers at B and C as it are
being fed into a saw mill. Calculate the tension in the
rope and the reactions at the rollers, using the given
FBD. Which rollers are in contact with the log?

Solution: From the FBD

6Fx = 0 + íNB cos 30ƕ íNC cos 30ƕ = 0 (a)

6MA = 0 + -420 (7.5 sin 30ƕ) - 10NB - 15NC = 0 (b)

The solution of Eqs. (a) and (b) is

NB = 315.0 lb and NC í.0 lb

The signs indicate that the sense of NB is as shown on

the FBD, whereas the sense of NC is opposite to that
shown. Therefore, the upper roller at B and the lower
roller at C are in contact with the log.

6Fy = 0 + T ííNB sin 30ƕ íNC sin 30ƕ = 0

Because NB íNC, this equation yields: T = 420 lb

Example 12: The structure in Fig. (a) is loaded by the 240-

lb·in. counterclockwise couple applied to member AB.

Neglecting the weights of the members, determine all forces

acting on member BCD.

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.University of 4DGLVL\DK\Faculty of Eng.\Civil Dept 102 Mechanic\Static\1st Class
Chapter Three Equilibrium

Solution: Referring to the FBD of the entire structure in

Fig. (b),

6MA = 0 + TC cos 30ƕ(8) íND(12) + 240 = 0

ND = 0.5774 TC + 20 (a)

From the FBD of member BCD in Figure (c),

6MB = 0 + TC cos 30ƕ(4) + TC sin 30ƕ(3) í ND (8) = 0

ND = 0.6205 TC (b)

Solving Eqs. (a) and (b) simultaneously yields

TC = 464 lb and ND = 288 lb

Also from the FBD of member BCD in Figure (c),

6Fx = 0 + ND íTC cos 30ƕ + Bx = 0

Bx =464 cos 30ƕ í OE

6Fy = 0 + By íTC sin 30ƕ = 0

By = 464 sin 30ƕ = 232 lb

Because the solution yields positive numbers for the unknowns, each force is
directed as shown on the FBDs.
The FBD of member AB, although not required in the foregoing analysis, is
shown in Figure (d).

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.University of 4DGLVL\DK\Faculty of Eng.\Civil Dept 103 Mechanic\Static\1st Class
Chapter Three Equilibrium

Example 13: Calculate the tension T in the cable

which supports 1000-lb load with the pulley
arrangement shown. Each pulley is free to rotate about
its bearing, and the weights of all parts are small
compared with the load. Find the magnitude of the
total force on the bearing of pulley C.

Solution: Pulley A:

6MO = 0 + ; -T1r + T2r = 0 T1 = T2

6Fy = 0 + ; T1+ T2 - 1000= 0 2T1= 1000

T1= T2 = 500 lb

From the example of pulley A we may write the

equilibrium of forces on pulley B by inspection as

T3= T4 = T2/2 = 250 lb

For Pulley C the angle T = 30o in no way affects the moment of T about the
center of the pulley, so that moment equilibrium requires

T= T3 or T = 250 lb

Equilibrium of the pulley in the x and y directions requires

6Fx = 0 + ; 250 cos30o - Fx = 0 Fx = 217 lb

6Fy = 0 + ; Fy + 250sin30o – 250 = 0 Fy = 125 lb

F Fx2  Fy2 (217) 2  (125) 2 250 lb

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.University of 4DGLVL\DK\Faculty of Eng.\Civil Dept 104 Mechanic\Static\1st Class
Chapter Three Equilibrium

Example 14: An 80-N box is placed on a folding

table as shown in Figure (a). Neglecting friction
and the weights of the members, determine all
forces acting on member EFG and the tension
in the cable connecting points B and D.

Solution: From the FBD of the entire table,

Figure (b),

6MH = 0 + 80(600) íNG (800) = 0 NG = 60 N

From the FBD of the tabletop, Figure (c),

6MA = 0 + í  + Ey(1200) = 0 Ey = 26.67 N

From the FBD of member EFG, Figure (d),

6MF = 0 + Ex (360) íEy  íNG(400) = 0

Ex (360) = 26.67(600) + 60(400) Ex = 111.12 N

6Fx = 0 + Fx íEx =0 Fx = Ex = 111.12 N

6Fy = 0 + NG íFy íEy =0 Fy = í.67=33.33 N

From the FBD of the right half of the tabletop, Figure (e),

6MC = 0 + Ey(600) íEx (180) + TBD(180)=0

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.University of 4DGLVL\DK\Faculty of Eng.\Civil Dept 105 Mechanic\Static\1st Class
Chapter Three Equilibrium

TBD    í ) TBD =22.22 N

Problems

3.1 Each of the bodies shown is in equilibrium, homogeneous and has a mass of
30 kg Assume frictionless at all contact surfaces. Draw the fully dimensioned

FBD for each body and compute the horizontal and vertical components of all
forces acting on each of the members.

3.2 The homogeneous beam AB weighs 400 lb. For each support condition shown
in (a) through (c), draw the FBD of the beam and determine the reactions.

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.University of 4DGLVL\DK\Faculty of Eng.\Civil Dept 106 Mechanic\Static\1st Class
Chapter Three Equilibrium

3.3 Draw the FBD of the entire frame, assuming that

friction and the weights and compute the horizontal and
vertical components of all forces acting on each of the
members.

3.4 The 480-kg bent bar ABC of uniform cross section is supported by a pin at A
and a vertical cable at C. Determine the pin reactions and the force in the cable.

3.5 Neglecting the mass of the beam compute the reactions at A and B.

3.6 The crate weighing 400 lb is supported by three ropes concurrent at B. Find
the forces in ropes AB and BC if P =460 lb.

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.University of 4DGLVL\DK\Faculty of Eng.\Civil Dept 107 Mechanic\Static\1st Class