MOMENT AND COUPLES

Chapter 3

MOMENT OF FORCE
Moment is merely another term meaning torque (produce

rotation or torsion).
Examples: tightening a nut with a wrench and turning steering
wheel
if a force is acting some distance away from the point,
such as the fulcrum of a lever, it causes of twisting action
about the point (moment)

SMALL MOMENT
The distance from the fulcrum to the
line of action of force is very small

LARGE MOMENT
The distance from the fulcrum to
the line of action of force is large

(Cont)
It is the product of the force multiplied by the perpendicular

distance from the line of action of the force to the pivot or

point where the object will turn.

Moment = Force x the perpendicular distance between the axis

and the line of action of the force
M=Fxd

(Cont)
The units of moment are pound-feet (lb), pound-inches (lb-

in), kip-feet (kip-fit) or Newton-meter (Nm).

Moments taken are about a point are indicate as being
clockwise( ) or counterclockwise ( )
For the sake of uniformity in calculation, assume clockwise to
be +ve and counterclockwise to be -ve.
Moment can be exspressed as 10 lb-ft ( ), + 10 lb-ft or 10
lb.ft.

Example 3.1
Calculate the moment about point A in Figure 3.2.
Notice that the perpendicular distance can be measured
to the line of action of the force.
M=(F) (d)
= + (50) (3)
M= 150 lb-ft ( )

50
3
A

Figure 3.2

Example 3.2

MO = (100 N) (2 m) = 200 Nm

MO = (50 N) (0.75 m) = 37.5 Nm

MO = (40 lb) (4 ft + 2 cos 30 ft)

= 229 lb.ft

Example 3.2
MO = (-60 lb) (1 sin 45 ft)
= -42.4 lb.ft

MO = (-7 kN) (4 m 1 m)
= -21.0 kNm

Principle of moment
Sometimes refer as Varignons theorem
The moment of a force about a point is equal to the sum of the

moments of the forces components about the point

Fy

F
Fx

dy

dx

d
A

MA=Fd

MA=-Fy(dy)+Fx(dx)

Example 3.1.1
Calculate the moment at A, B, C, D and E for the grid that

has the force as shown in Fig.

Fy

100 N

100 N

1m

Fx

1m

1m

B
D

B
D

1m

Example 3.3
A 200 N force acts on the bracket shown in Figure. Determine
the moment of the force about point A.

Exercise 1
Determine the magnitude and directional sense of the

moment of the force A about point O

Exercise 2
Determine the magnitude and directional sense of the

moment of the force at A about point O

COUPLES
A couple consists of two equal, acting in opposite directions and

separated by a perpendicular distance.

Example:

20
5 lb

Total moment

= -50 + (-50)
= -100lb.in
5 lb

These force could have been treated as a couple, which consists

of two forces that are:
1. Equal
2. Acting in opposite direction
3. Separated by some perpendicular distance d
These three requirement of couple, from the example, we
have;
Couple moment = (F) (d)
= -5 (20)

= -100 lb.in

d
d

-F

F
-F

F
M

-F

 This is the same answer that we obtained when we multiplied

the individual forces by their distance from the pivot.

Notice that when calculate moment, specified the points or
moment about which the moments were calculated.
It does not matter where the moment center is located when
deal with couples.
A couples has the same moment about all points on a body

MA=-(10N)(4m)-(10N)(2m)
=-40-20
=-60 N.m
=60N.m

Mb=-(10N)(11m)+(10N)(5m)
=-110+50
=-60 N.m
=60N.m

Example 3.4
Determine the moment of the couple acting on the member

shown in Figure

Moment in 3-Dimensional
Vector analysis
Moments in 3-D can be calculated using scalar (2-D) approach
but it can be difficult and time consuming. Thus, it is often
easier to use a mathematical approach called the vector cross
product.
Using the vector cross product,

MO = r F .
Here r is the position vector from point O to any point on the

line of action of F.

 In general, the cross product of two vectors A and B results in

another vector C , i.e., C = A B. The magnitude and direction

of the resulting vector can be written as

C = A B = A B sin UC
Here UC is the unit vector perpendicular to both A and B vectors as
shown (or to the plane containing the A and B vectors).

 The right hand rule is a useful tool for determining the direction of the

vector resulting from a cross product.

For example: i j = k

Note that a vector crossed into itself is zero, e.g., i i = 0

 Of even more utility, the cross product can be written as

Each component can be determined using 2 2 determinants

 So, using the cross product, a moment can be expressed as

By expanding the above equation using 2 2 determinants, we get

(sample units are N - m)

MO = (r y FZ - rZ Fy) i - (r x Fz - rz Fx ) j + (rx Fy - ry
Fx ) k
The physical meaning of the above equation becomes evident by

considering the force components separately and using a 2-D

formulation.

Example
The pole in Fig. Below is subjected to a 60N force that is

directed from C to B. Determine the magnitude of the

moment created by this force about the support at A.

since MA = rB x F or MA = rc x F
rB = {1i + 3j + 2k} m and rC = {3i + 4j} m
The force has a magnitude of 60 N and a direction specified by the
unit vector uF, directed from C to B. Thus,
(1 3)i (3 4) j (2 0)k
F = (60 N) uF = (60 N)

2
2
2
( 2) ( 1) (2)

-40

-20

40

= {-40i 20j + 40k} N

MA =rB x F =

= [3(40) 2 (-20)]i [1(40) 2(-40)]j + [1(-20) 3(-40)]k

MA = [160i -120j + 100k] Nm
Magnitude MA = (160) 2 (120) 2 (100) 2
= 224 N.m

 Scalar analysis
Recall that the moment of a force about any point A is MA= F dA where

dA is the perpendicular (or shortest) distance from the point to the

forces line of action. This concept can be extended to find the moment
of a force about an axis

In the figure above, the moment about the y-axis would be My= 20 (0.3)

= 6 Nm. However this calculation is not always trivial and vector

analysis may be preferable

Example
Determine the couple moment acting on the pipe shown in

Fig. 3.24a. Segment AB is directed 30 below the x-y plan

Solution I (vector analysis)

The moment of the two couple forces can be found about any
point. If point O is considered, Fig 3.24b, we have
M = rA x (-25k) + rB x (25k)
= (8j) x (-25k) + (6 cos 30i + 8j 6 sin 30k) x (25k)
= -200i -129.9j + 200i
= {-130j} lb.in
It is easier to take moments of the couple forces about a point
lying on the line of action of one of the forces, e.g., point A, Fig.
3.24c. In this case the moment of the force A is zero, so that
M = rAB x (25k)
= (6 cos 30i 6 sin 30k) x (25k)
= {-130j} lb.in

Solution II(scalar analysis)

Although this problem is shown in three
dimensions, the geometry is simple enough to use
the scalar equation M = Fd. The perpendicular
distance between the lines of action of the forces is
d = 6 cos 30 = 5.20 in., Fig. 3.24d. Hence,
taking moments of the forces about either point A
or B yields
M = Fd. = 25 lb (5.20 in) = 129.9 lb.in

Applying the right-hand rule, M acts in the j

direction. Thus,
M = {130j} lb.in

Resultant A force and couple

system
When a rigid body is subjected to a system of forces and couple

moments
The external effects on the body by replacing the system by an equivalent single

resultant force acting at a specified point O and a resultant couple moment

Point O is not on the line of action of the forces, an equivalent effect is produced if

the forces are moved to point O and the corresponding couple moments M1=r1xF1
and M2=r2xF2 are applied to body

AN EQUIVALENT SYSTEM (Section 4.7)

When a number of forces and couple moments are acting on a body, it

is easier to understand their overall effect on the body if they are
combined into a single force and couple moment having the same
external effect
The two force and couple systems are called equivalent systems since
they have the same external effect on the body.

MOVING A FORCE ON ITS LINE OF ACTION

Moving a force from A to O, when both points are on the

vectors line of action, does not change the external
effect. Hence, a force vector is called a sliding vector.
(But the internal effect of the force on the body does
depend on where the force is applied).

MOVING A FORCE OFF OF ITS LINE OF ACTION

Moving a force from point A to O (as shown above) requires

creating an additional couple moment. Since this new
couple moment is a free vector, it can be applied at any
point P on the body.

FINDING THE RESULTANT OF A

FORCE AND COUPLE SYSTEM
When several forces and couple
moments act on a body, you can
move each force and its associated
couple moment to a common point O.
Now you can add all the forces and
couple moments together and find
one resultant force-couple moment
pair.

Example 3.5
Replace the forces acting on the brace shown in Figure by an

equivalent resultant and couple moment acting at point A.

+ FRx = Fx; FRx = -100 N - 400 cos 45 = - 382.8 N = 382.8 N

+ FRy = Fy; FRy = -600 N - 400 sin 45 = - 882.8 N = 882.8 N
FR has a magnitude of
FR (FR x )2 (FRy )2 (382.8) 2 (882.8) 2 962 N

and a direction of

FRy
tan 1
FRx

882.8
tan 1
66.6
382.8

 The resultant couple moment MRA is determined by

summing the moments of the forces about point A. Assuming

that positive moments act clockwise, we have
+ MRA = MA
MRA = 100 N (0) + 600 N (0.4m) + (400 sin 45) (0.8 m) +
(400 cos 45) (0.3 m)
= 551 Nm

Example (Equivalent resultant force

and couple moment)
A structural member is subjected to a couple moment M
and forces F1 and F2 as shown in Fig. below. Replace this
system by an equivalent resultant force and couple moment
acting at its base, point O.

The three-dimensional aspects of the problem can be simplified by

using a Cartesian vector analysis. Expressing the forces and couple
moment as Cartesian vectors, we have
F1 = {-800k)N
F2 = (300 N)uCB = (300 N) (rcb/rcb)
= 300 [-0.15i+0.1j/ (0.15)2 + (0.1)2] = {-249.6i +
166.4j}N
M = -500 (4/5)j + 500 (3/5)k = {-400j + 300k) Nm
Force Summation
FR = F; FR = F1 + F2 = -800k 249.6i + 166.4j
= {-249.6i + 166.4j 800k} N

Moment Summation
MRO = MC + MO

MRO = M + rC x F1 + rB x F2
MRO = (-400j + 300k) + (1k) x (-800k)

i
j
k
-0.15
0.1 1
- 249.6 166.4 0

= (-400j + 300k) + (0) + (-166.4i 249.6j)

= {-166i -650j + 300k} Nm

Exercise 3:
Replace the three forces shown with an equivalent force-couple system at A.

F1
F2
F3

To find the equivalent set of forces

at A.

3
tan 36.87o
4
Rx Fx
1

400 N cos 180o 750 N cos 36.87 o 100 N cos 90o

200 N

Ry Fy

400 N sin 180o 750 N sin 36.87o 100 N sin 90o

550 N

Find the moments about point A.

Using the line of action for the force at B. The force can be moved along the
line of action until it reaches perpendicular distance from A

M 1 FB d
100 N 360 mm
36000 N-mm

Find the moments about point A.

The force at O can be broken up into its two components in the x and y direction

Fx 750 N cos 36.87 o

600 N
Fy 750 N sin 36.87 o
450 N
Using the line of action for each component, their moment contribution can
be determined.

Find the moments about point A.

Using the line of action for Fx component d is 160 mm.

M 2 FOx d
600 N 160 mm
96000 N-mm
Fy component is 0 since in line with A.

MB Mi
M1 M 2 M 3
36000 N-mm k 96000 N-mm k 0 N-mm k
132000 N-mm k

The final result is

R = 585 N at 70.0o
M = 132 Nm

M = 132 Nm

Resultant A force and couple system

When a rigid body is subjected to a system of forces and couple

moments

The external effects on the body by replacing the system by an equivalent

single resultant force acting at a specified point O and a resultant couple

moment

Point O is not on the line of action of the forces, an equivalent effect is

produced if the forces are moved to point O and the corresponding couple
moments M1=r1xF1 and M2=r2xF2 are applied to body

 Since the equivalent is maintained between the diagrams in Figure,

each force and couple system will cause the same external effects,
i.e. the same translation and rotation of body.
The magnitude and direction of FR are independent of the location
of point O; MRo depends upon this location since the moments
Ml and M2 are determined using the position vectors rl and r2
MRo is a free vector and can act at any point on the body, although
point O is generally chosen as its point of application.
Any force and couple moment system to a resultant force acting at
point O and a resultant couple moment can be generalized and
represented by application of the following two equations.
FR = F

MRO = MC + MO

Example 3.5
Replace the forces acting on the brace shown in Figure by an

equivalent resultant and couple moment acting at point A.

+ FRx = Fx; FRx = -100 N - 400 cos 45 = - 382.8 N = 382.8 N

+ FRy = Fy; FRy = -600 N - 400 sin 45 = - 882.8 N = 882.8 N
FR has a magnitude of
FR (FR x )2 (FRy )2 (382.8) 2 (882.8) 2 962 N

and a direction of
FRy
tan 1
FRx

882.8
tan 1
66.6
382.8

 The resultant couple moment MRA is determined by

summing the moments of the forces about point A. Assuming

that positive moments act clockwise, we have
+ MRA = MA
MRA = 100 N (0) + 600 N (0.4m) + (400 sin 45) (0.8 m) +
(400 cos 45) (0.3 m)
= 551 Nm

Moment in 3Dimensional
Cross product
Cross product of two vectors A and B yields the vector C, which is

written
C A B
The magnitude of C is defined as the product of the magnitudes of A
and B and the sine of the angle between their tails
C = AB sin
Vector C has a direction that is perpendicular to the plane containing A
and B and C is specified by the right hand rule.

Knowing the magnitude and direction C,

C = A x B = (AB sin )uc

Cartesian Vector Formulation

As shown in, the resultant vector points in the +k direction.
Thus, i x j = k. In similar manner,
ixj=k
i x k = -j
ixi=0

jxk=i

j x i = -k

jxj=0

kxi=j

k x j = -I

kxk=

 For establishing x,y,z corrdinate axes, the position vector r and

force F can be expressed as cartesian vectors

MO= r x F =

Ax

Ay

Az

Bx

Bx

Bx

This resultant can be written symbolically as

M RO (r F )

Example
The pole in Fig. Below is subjected to a 60N force that is

directed from C to B. Determine the magnitude of the

moment created by this force about the support at A.

since MA = rB x F or MA = rc x F
rB = {1i + 3j + 2k} m and rC = {3i + 4j} m
The force has a magnitude of 60 N and a direction specified by the
unit vector uF, directed from C to B. Thus,
F = (60 N) uF = (60 N) (1 3)i (3 4) j (2 0)k
( 2) 2 ( 1) 2 (2) 2

-40

-20

40

= {-40i 20j + 40k} N

MA =rB x F =

= [3(40) 2 (-20)]i [1(40) 2(-40)]j + [1(-20) 3(-40)]k

MA = [160i -120j + 100k] Nm
Magnitude MA = (160) 2 (120) 2 (100) 2

= 224 N.m

Example
Determine the couple moment acting on the pipe shown in

Fig. 3.24a. Segment AB is directed 30 below the x-y plan

Solution I (vector analysis)

The moment of the two couple forces can be found about any point. If point O is
considered, Fig 3.24b, we have
M = rA x (-25k) + rB x (25k)
= (8j) x (-25k) + (6 cos 30i + 8j 6 sin 30k) x (25k)
= -200i -129.9j + 200i
= {-130j} lb.in
It is easier to take moments of the couple forces about a point lying on the line of
action of one of the forces, e.g., point A, Fig. 3.24c. In this case the moment of the
force A is zero,so that
M = rAB x (25k)
= (6 cos 30i 6 sin 30k) x (25k)
= {-130j} lb.in

Solution II(scalar analysis)

Although this problem is shown in three dimensions, the geometry
is simple enough to use the scalar equation M = Fd. The
perpendicular distance between the lines of action of the forces is
d = 6 cos 30 = 5.20 in., Fig. 3.24d. Hence, taking moments of
the forces about either point A or B yields

M = Fd. = 25 lb (5.20 in) = 129.9 lb.in

Applying the right-hand rule, M acts in the j direction. Thus,
M = {130j} lb.in

Example (Equivalent resultant force

and couple moment)
A structural member is subjected to a couple moment M and
forces F1 and F2 as shown in Fig. below. Replace this system
by an equivalent resultant force and couple moment acting at
its base, point O.

The three-dimensional aspects of the problem can be simplified by

using a Cartesian vector analysis. Expressing the forces and couple
moment as Cartesian vectors, we have
F1 = {-800k)N
F2 = (300 N)uCB = (300 N)
= 300 = {-249.6i + 166.4j}N
M = -500 (4/5)j + 500 (3/5)k = {-400j + 300k) Nm
Force Summation
FR = F; FR = F1 + F2 = -800k 249.6i + 166.4j
= {-249.6i + 166.4j 800k} N

Moment Summation
MRO = MC + MO
MRO = M + rC x F1 + rB x F2
MRO = (-400j + 300k) + (1k) x (-800k) +

i
j
k
-0.15
0.1 1
- 249.6 166.4 0

= (-400j + 300k) + (0) + (-166.4i 249.6j)

= {-166i -650j + 300k} Nm