1.

Using principle of virtual work determine the force N exerted on the log by each jaw
of the fireplace tongs shown below.

θ
From geometry, this system is identifies as symmetric about x axis. The coordinate of
points E1, E2, F1 and F2 are given as
θ
y E 1=8 tan
2
θ
y E 2=−8 tan
2
θ
y F 1=5 tan
2
θ
y F 2=−5 tan
2

Relation among virtual displacement δθ

θ
δy E 1 =4 sec 2 δθ
2
θ
δy E 2 =−4 sec 2 δθ
2
θ
δy F 1=2.5 sec 2 δθ
2
θ
δy F 2=−2.5 sec 2 δθ
2

At Force Virtual displacement Virtual work

E1 −P ^j 2 θ θ
4 sec δθ −4 P sec 2 δθ
2 2
E2 P ^j θ 2θ
−4 sec 2 δθ −4 P sec δθ
2 2
F1 N ^j θ θ
2.5 sec 2 δθ 2.5 N sec 2 δθ
2 2
F2 −N ^j θ θ
−2.5 sec 2 δθ 2.5 N sec 2 δθ
2 2

2 θ θ
Total virtual work, δU =−8 P sec δθ+5 N sec 2 δθ=0
2 2
 8P
N= =1.6 P
5