1

Equilibrium of
Concurrent,
Coplanar Force
Systems
EF 202 - Week 5
2
Equilibrium
Newtons First Law - If, and only if, an
objects mass center has zero
acceleration, then the sum of ALL of
the forces acting on the object (body)
is zero.
Where is a bodys mass center? Well
study that in Module 4. But in this
class, the entire body is at rest, so we
know that the mass center, wherever it
is, has zero acceleration.
3
Problem Solving
Strategy
1. Identify ALL forces acting on the
body by making a free-body
diagram (FBD).
2. Invoke Newtons First Law. (Add all
the force vectors on the FBD and
set the result equal to zero.)
3. Solve.
4
Free-Body Diagram
1. Define the body.
2. Free the body from the rest of the
world by cutting through
EVERYTHING that connects the body
to anything else.
3. Sketch the freed body.
4. To the sketch, add EVERY force that is
(or may be) acting on the body.
5
Concurrent, Coplanar
Force System
Coplanar system
The lines of action of all forces lie in
a common plane.
Concurrent system
The lines of action of all forces
intersect at a common point.
6
Independent
Equations
In a given problem, we can find only as
many unknowns as we have
independent equations.
For a system of coplanar, concurrent
forces, Newtons First Law yields only
two independent equations for a given
FBD.
7
1. Make FBD.
2. Newtons First Law
3. Solve.

F

=0

F cosu

i + sinu

j
( )
+ 4.5 kN
( )

i +

7.5 kN sin30

i cos30

j
( )
+

2.25 kN cos60

i sin60

j
( )
= 0
1. Figure is already an FBD.
2.
Problem 3-4
Find magnitude and direction of
F.
8
For the components:


i

Fcosu 4.5 kN7.5 kNsin30 +2.25 kNcos60 =0
For the components:


j

Fsinu7.5 kNcos30 2.25 kNsin60 =0
COUNT EQUATIONS AND UNKNOWNS!!!!!!!
Now, what?
(1)
(2)
Two equations, (1) and (2), and two unknowns, F
and .

u
3. Collect and equate components.
9
From (1) and (2),

Fcosu = 7.125 kN

Fsinu = 8.444 kN
(3)
(4)
Now, what?

tanu =1.185u = 49.8
For the magnitude,

F = F
x
2
+ F
y
2
= Fcosu
( )
2
+ Fsinu
( )
2
F =11.0 kN
For the angle, divide (4) by (3) to
get
10
Ideal Cable
Neglect weight (massless).
Neglect bending stiffness.
Force parallel to cable.
Force only tensile.
Neglect stretching (inextensible).
11
1. Make FBD.
2. Newtons First Law
3. Solve.
Problem 3-8
Find the forces in cables AB and
AC.
12 kg
12
COUNT EQUATIONS AND UNKNOWNS!!!!!!!
13
14
15
Problem 3-40
Find the forces in all five cables.
30kg
Since there are 5 unknowns,
well need at least 3 FBDs.
16
17
18
Linear Spring - I
Like an ideal cable, but extensible and
resists either stretching or shortening.
Force is either tensile or compressive.
When the force is zero, the spring is
undeformed and its length is called its
free length or natural length.
When the force is not zero, it is
proportional to the springs deformation
(stretch or contraction).
19
Linear Spring - II
The constant of proportionality
between the force in a spring and its
deformation is called the springs
stiffness or its spring rate.
Stiffness is usually represented by the
letter k.
20
Equation for Spring

l
0
= natural/free/undeformed length
(length whenF = 0)

F = k l l
0
( )
stretch

F = k l
0
l
( )
contraction
Tension Compression
OR
21
Assumed Tension
Directions of loads are reversed on
objects to which springs are attached
(Newton III).
F = k l l
0
( )
22
Assumed
Compression
Direction assumed for spring load
cannot be wrong!
Equation used for spring load can be
wrong!

F = k l
0
l
( )
23
Problem 3-14
Spring AB is stretched 3m.
What is the mass of the
suspended block?
24
25