BES 3a

Basic Operations with

Force Systems
Engr. Bernard B. Alzaga

Outline
Introduction
Equivalence of Vectors
Force
Reduction of Concurrent Force Systems
Moment of a Force about a Point
Moment of a Force about an Axis
Couples
Changing Line of Action of a Force

Equivalence of Vectors
Equivalence implies interchangeability; two
vectors are considered to be equivalent if they
can be interchanged without changing the
outcome of the problem.
Three classifications of vectors
Fixed Vectors: Equivalent vectors have the same
magnitude, direction and point of application
Sliding Vectors: Equivalent vectors have the same
magnitude, direction and line of action
Free Vectors: Equivalent vectors have the same
magnitude and direction.

Force
Mechanical interaction between bodies
A vector quantity; with magnitude and direction
A fixed vector

Point of Application: point of

contact at which the force is
concentrated
Line of Action: line that passes
through the point of application
and parallel to the force

A P

Force is a fixed vector if

outcome is changed when the
point of application if changed
along the line of action.
But, for a rigid body, if the
point of application is changed
along the line of action, the
outcome is not changed. Thus
the force is considered as
sliding vector.

Principle of Transmissibility:

A force may be moved anywhere along its line of action

without changing its external effects on a rigid body.

Which forces will cause same external effect?

P= 50 N

S= 50 N

Q= 50 N

Reduction of Concurrent Forces

z

F1
F2
F2
y
x

F3

Rz
R

F1
y

F3
x

Rx

= = + +
= + +

Ry

Moment of a Force
In addition to the tendency to move a body to the
direction of its direction, a force can also tends to rotate
the body in an axis. This tendency to rotate is the
moment (M) of a force, or torque.

Moment of a Force About a Point

The moment of a force F about a
point A, called the moment center,
is defined as

The magnitude of Mo is given by

= =
=
=

where d is called the moment arm, which is the

perpendicular distance from the moment center to the
line of action of the force F .

Right Hand-Rule for

Cross Product

Sign Convention for Direction of Moment

1.) Positive (+) for counterclockwise
2.) Negative (-) for clockwise

Varignons Theorem
The moment of a force about a point is equal to the sum of the
moments of its components about a point.

= = + = +
= =

Sample Problem
Calculate the magnitude of the moment about the base point O of
the 600-N force in five different ways.
2610 N.m Ans.

Moment of a Force About an Axis

The moment of a force F about an axis
AC is the orthogonal component of Mo
along the axis AC, where O is any point
on AC.

= =

= = ( )

Physical Characteristics of Moment of a

Force About an Axis
A force that is parallel to the moment axis has no moment
about that axis
If the line of action of force intersects the moment axis
(d=0), the force has no moment about that axis.
The moment of a force is proportional to its component
that is perpendicular to the moment axis and the moment
arm (d) of that component.
The sense of the moment is consistent with the direction
in which the force would tend to rotate a body.

Rectangular Components of Moment of

Force
The rectangular components of the moment of a force about
the origin O are equal to the moments of the force about the
coordinate axes.

= = + +

Mz
Mx
x

Mo
My

Sample Problem
A tension T of magnitude 10 kN is applied to the cable attached to
the top A of the rigid mast and secured to the ground at B.
Determine the moment Mz of T about the z-axis passing through
the base O.
-84.9 kN.m Ans.

Couples
Two parallel, noncollinear forces that are equal in magnitude
and opposite in direction are known as a couple. Couple has
no resultant force. Its effect is only rotational, no translation.

= ( + ) + =
= +
= ( )

where =

The moment of the couple is the same at every point. Couple

is considered as free vector.

Equivalent Couples
Two couples that have the same moment are said to be
equivalent. Operations on couple without changing its
moment,
a. Original couple with moment Fd
b. Moving the coupe to parallel plane
c.

Rotating the couple on its plane

d. Changing F and d, but keep Fd the

same
(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

e. Moving the couple to a parallel

position on the plane

(e)

Sample Problem
The rigid structural member is
subjected to a couple consisting of
the two 100-N forces. Replace this
couple by an equivalent couple
consisting of the two forces P and
P, each of which has a magnitude
of 400 N. Determine the proper
angle .
Ans. 10 N-m at 51.3.

Changing the Line of Action of a Force

by Equivalent Force-Couple System

Original Force

Introduce equal and

opposite forces at B

Identify and replace the

couple with couple
moment. This is the
equivalent force-couple
system equivalent to the
original force system.

Sample Problem
Replace the horizontal 80-lb force
acting on the lever by an equivalent
system consisting of a force at O and a
couple.

Sample Problem
A force of 40 lb is applied at A
to the handle of the control
lever which is attached to the
fixed shaft OB. In determining
the effect of the force on the
shaft at a cross section such
as that at O, we may replace
the force by an equivalent
force at O and a couple.
Describe this couple M as a
vector.
Ans. -200j+320k lb-in
or 377 lb-in with =32

A force F of magnitude 50 N is exerted on the automobile

parking-brake lever at the position x=250 mm. replace the force
by an equivalent force-couple system at the pivot point O.
Ans. R= 50N, Mo= 17.29 N-m CCW.

In an attempt to pull down a

nearly sawn-through branch,
the tree surgeon exerts a 400N pull on the line which is
looped around the branch at A.
Determine the moment about
point C of the force exerted on
the branch and state the
magnitude of this moment.