PROBLEM 2.

119
A force P is applied as shown to a uniform cone which is supported by
three cords, where the lines of action of the cords pass through the vertex
A of the cone. Knowing that the cone weighs 2.4 lb and that P = 0,
determine the tension in each cord.

SOLUTION

Note that because the line of action of each of the cords passes through the vertex A of the cone, the cords all
have the same length, and the unit vectors lying along the cords are parallel to the unit vectors lying along the
generators of the cone.
Thus, for example, the unit vector along BE is identical to the unit vector along the generator AB.
Hence:
cos 45°i + 8j − sin 45°k
λ AB = λBE =
65
It follows that:
 cos 45°i + 8 j − sin 45°k 
TBE = TBE λ BE = TBE  
 65 

 cos 30°i + 8j + sin 30°k 

TCF = TCF λ CF = TCF  
 65 

 − cos15°i + 8 j − sin15°k 
TDG = TDG λ DG = TDG  
 65 
At A: ΣF = 0: TBE + TCF + TDG + W + P = 0

132
 PROBLEM 2.119 CONTINUED

Then, isolating the factors if i, j, and k we obtain three algebraic equations:

TBE T T
i: cos 45° + CF cos 30° − DG cos15° = 0
65 65 65
or TBE cos 45° + TCF cos 30° − TDG cos15° = 0 (1)

8 8 8
j: TBE + TCF + TDG −W = 0
65 65 65
2.4
or TBE + TCF + TDG = 65 = 0.3 65 (2)
8
TBE T T
k: − sin 45° + CF sin 30° − DG sin15° − P = 0
65 65 65

or −TBE sin 45° + TCF sin 30° − TDG sin15° = P 65 (3)

With P = 0, the tension in the cords can be found by solving the resulting Equations (1), (2), and (3) using
conventional methods in Linear Algebra (elimination, matrix methods or iteration–with MATLAB or Maple,
for example). We obtain
TBE = 0.299 lb
TCF = 1.002 lb
TDG = 1.117 lb

133
 PROBLEM 2.120
A force P is applied as shown to a uniform cone which is supported by
three cords, where the lines of action of the cords pass through the vertex
A of the cone. Knowing that the cone weighs 2.4 lb and that P = 0.1 lb,
determine the tension in each cord.

SOLUTION

See Problem 2.121 for the analysis leading to the linear algebraic Equations (1), (2), and (3) below:

TBE cos 45° + TCF cos 30° − TDG cos15° = 0 (1)

TBE + TCF + TDG = 0.3 65 (2)

−TBE sin 45° + TCF sin 30° − TDG sin15° = P 65 (3)

With P = 0.1 lb, solving (1), (2), and (3), using conventional methods in Linear Algebra (elimination, matrix
methods or iteration–with MATLAB or Maple, for example), we obtain

TBE = 1.006 lb

TCF = 0.357 lb

TDG = 1.056 lb

134
 PROBLEM 2.121
Using two ropes and a roller chute, two workers are unloading a 200-kg
cast-iron counterweight from a truck. Knowing that at the instant shown
the counterweight is kept from moving and that the positions of points A,
B, and C are, respectively, A(0, –0.5 m, 1 m), B(–0.6 m, 0.8 m, 0), and
C(0.7 m, 0.9 m, 0), and assuming that no friction exists between the
counterweight and the chute, determine the tension in each rope. (Hint:
Since there is no friction, the force exerted by the chute on the
counterweight must be perpendicular to the chute.)

SOLUTION

From the geometry of the chute:

N
N= ( 2 j + k ) = N ( 0.8944 j + 0.4472k )
5

As in Problem 2.11, for example, the force in each rope can be written as
the product of the magnitude of the force and the unit vector along the
cable. Thus, with
JJJG
AB = − ( 0.6 m ) i + (1.3 m ) j + (1 m ) k

AB = ( −0.6 m )2 + (1.3 m )2 + (1 m )2 = 1.764 m

JJJG
AB TAB
TAB = T λ AB = TAB =  − ( 0.6 m ) i + (1.3 m ) j + (1 m ) k 
AB 1.764 m 

TAB = TAB ( −0.3436i + 0.7444 j + 0.5726k )

JJJG
and AC = ( 0.7 m ) i + (1.4 m ) j − (1 m ) k

AC = ( 0.7 m )2 + (1.4 m )2 + ( −1 m )2 = 1.8574 m

JJJG
AC TAC
TAC = T λ AC = TAC = ( 0.7 m ) i + (1.4 m ) j − (1 m ) k 
AC 1.764 m 

TAC = TAC ( 0.3769i + 0.7537 j − 0.5384k )

Then: ΣF = 0: N + TAB + TAC + W = 0

135
PROBLEM 2.121 CONTINUED

With W = ( 200 kg )( 9.81 m/s ) = 1962 N, and equating the factors of i, j,

and k to zero, we obtain the linear algebraic equations:

i : − 0.3436TAB + 0.3769TAC = 0 (1)

j: 0.7444TAB + 0.7537TAC + 0.8944 N − 1962 = 0 (2)

k : − 0.5726TAB − 0.5384TAC + 0.4472 N = 0 (3)

Using conventional methods for solving Linear Algebraic Equations

(elimination, MATLAB or Maple, for example), we obtain

N = 1311 N

TAB = 551 N

TAC = 503 N

136
 PROBLEM 2.122
Solve Problem 2.121 assuming that a third worker is exerting a force
P = −(180 N)i on the counterweight.
Problem 2.121: Using two ropes and a roller chute, two workers are
unloading a 200-kg cast-iron counterweight from a truck. Knowing that at
the instant shown the counterweight is kept from moving and that the
positions of points A, B, and C are, respectively, A(0, –0.5 m, 1 m),
B(–0.6 m, 0.8 m, 0), and C(0.7 m, 0.9 m, 0), and assuming that no friction
exists between the counterweight and the chute, determine the tension in
each rope. (Hint: Since there is no friction, the force exerted by the chute
on the counterweight must be perpendicular to the chute.)

SOLUTION

From the geometry of the chute:

N
N= ( 2 j + k ) = N ( 0.8944 j + 0.4472k )
5

As in Problem 2.11, for example, the force in each rope can be written as
the product of the magnitude of the force and the unit vector along the
cable. Thus, with
JJJG
AB = − ( 0.6 m ) i + (1.3 m ) j + (1 m ) k

AB = ( −0.6 m )2 + (1.3 m )2 + (1 m )2 = 1.764 m

JJJG
AB TAB
TAB = T λ AB = TAB =  − ( 0.6 m ) i + (1.3 m ) j + (1 m ) k 
AB 1.764 m 

TAB = TAB ( −0.3436i + 0.7444 j + 0.5726k )

JJJG
and AC = ( 0.7 m ) i + (1.4 m ) j − (1 m ) k

AC = ( 0.7 m )2 + (1.4 m )2 + ( −1 m )2 = 1.8574 m

JJJG
AC TAC
TAC = T λ AC = TAC = ( 0.7 m ) i + (1.4 m ) j − (1 m ) k 
AC 1.764 m 

TAC = TAC ( 0.3769i + 0.7537 j − 0.5384k )

Then: ΣF = 0: N + TAB + TAC + P + W = 0

137
PROBLEM 2.122 CONTINUED

Where P = − (180 N ) i

and
 ( )
W = − ( 200 kg ) 9.81 m/s 2  j


= − (1962 N ) j

Equating the factors of i, j, and k to zero, we obtain the linear equations:

i : − 0.3436TAB + 0.3769TAC − 180 = 0

j: 0.8944 N + 0.7444TAB + 0.7537TAC − 1962 = 0

k : 0.4472 N − 0.5726TAB − 0.5384TAC = 0

Using conventional methods for solving Linear Algebraic Equations

(elimination, MATLAB or Maple, for example), we obtain

N = 1302 N

TAB = 306 N

TAC = 756 N

138
 PROBLEM 2.123
A piece of machinery of weight W is temporarily supported by cables AB,
AC, and ADE. Cable ADE is attached to the ring at A, passes over the
pulley at D and back through the ring, and is attached to the support at E.
Knowing that W = 320 lb, determine the tension in each cable. (Hint:
The tension is the same in all portions of cable ADE.)

SOLUTION

The (vector) force in each cable can be written as the product of the (scalar) force and the unit vector along
the cable. That is, with
JJJG
AB = − ( 9 ft ) i + ( 8 ft ) j − (12 ft ) k

AB = ( −9 ft )2 + (8 ft )2 + ( −12 ft )2 = 17 ft
JJJG
AB T
TAB = T λ AB = TAB = AB  − ( 9 ft ) i + ( 8 ft ) j − (12 ft ) k 
AB 17 ft 

TAB = TAB ( −0.5294i + 0.4706 j − 0.7059k )

and
JJJG
AC = ( 0 ) i + ( 8 ft ) j + ( 6 ft ) k

AC = ( 0 ft )2 + (8 ft )2 + ( 6 ft )2 = 10 ft
JJJG
AC T
TAC = T λ AC = TAC = AC ( 0 ft ) i + ( 8 ft ) j + ( 6 ft ) k 
AC 10 ft

TAC = TAC ( 0.8 j + 0.6k )

and
JJJG
AD = ( 4 ft ) i + ( 8 ft ) j − (1 ft ) k

AD = ( 4 ft )2 + (8 ft )2 + ( −1 ft )2 = 9 ft
JJJG
AD TADE
TAD = T λ AD = TADE = ( 4 ft ) i + ( 8 ft ) j − (1 ft ) k 
AD 9 ft 

TAD = TADE ( 0.4444i + 0.8889 j − 0.1111k )

139
 PROBLEM 2.123 CONTINUED

Finally,
JJJG
AE = ( −8 ft ) i + ( 8 ft ) j + ( 4 ft ) k

AE = ( −8 ft )2 + (8 ft )2 + ( 4 ft )2 = 12 ft
JJJG
AE TADE
TAE = T λ AE = TADE = ( −8 ft ) i + ( 8 ft ) j + ( 4 ft ) k 
AE 12 ft 

TAE = TADE ( −0.6667i + 0.6667 j + 0.3333k )

With the weight of the machinery, W = −W j, at A, we have:

ΣF = 0: TAB + TAC + 2TAD − Wj = 0

Equating the factors of i, j, and k to zero, we obtain the following linear algebraic equations:

−0.5294TAB + 2 ( 0.4444TADE ) − 0.6667TADE = 0 (1)

0.4706TAB + 0.8TAC + 2 ( 0.8889TADE ) + 0.6667TADE − W = 0 (2)

−0.7059TAB + 0.6TAC − 2 ( 0.1111TADE ) + 0.3333TADE = 0 (3)

Knowing that W = 320 lb, we can solve Equations (1), (2) and (3) using conventional methods for solving
Linear Algebraic Equations (elimination, matrix methods via MATLAB or Maple, for example) to obtain
TAB = 46.5 lb

TAC = 34.2 lb

TADE = 110.8 lb

140
 PROBLEM 2.124
A piece of machinery of weight W is temporarily supported by cables AB,
AC, and ADE. Cable ADE is attached to the ring at A, passes over the
pulley at D and back through the ring, and is attached to the support at E.
Knowing that the tension in cable AB is 68 lb, determine (a) the tension
in AC, (b) the tension in ADE, (c) the weight W. (Hint: The tension is the
same in all portions of cable ADE.)

SOLUTION

See Problem 2.123 for the analysis leading to the linear algebraic Equations (1), (2), and (3), below:

−0.5294TAB + 2 ( 0.4444TADE ) − 0.6667TADE = 0 (1)

0.4706TAB + 0.8TAC + 2 ( 0.8889TADE ) + 0.6667TADE − W = 0 (2)

−0.7059TAB + 0.6TAC − 2 ( 0.1111TADE ) + 0.3333TADE = 0 (3)

Knowing that the tension in cable AB is 68 lb, we can solve Equations (1), (2) and (3) using conventional
methods for solving Linear Algebraic Equations (elimination, matrix methods via MATLAB or Maple, for
example) to obtain
(a) TAC = 50.0 lb

(b) TAE = 162.0 lb

(c) W = 468 lb

141