CE 213-STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Fundamental Concepts 1

Chapter 2

Resultants of Force Systems 10

Chapter 3

Equilibrium 26

Chapter 4

Analysis of Structures 39

Chapter 5

Friction 50

Chapter 6

Centroids and Centers of Gravity 56

Chapter 7

Moments of Inertia; Product of Inertia 72

 ARCH 224-STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
MODULE

Title:

Chapter 1 – Fundamental Concepts

Overview/Introduction

Engineering Mechanics may be defined as the science which considers

the effects of forces on rigid bodies.

Learning Outcome/Objective

At the end of this chapter, students are expected to be able to:

1. Differentiate statics and dynamics;
2. Understand the different axioms of mechanics;
3. Differentiate the use and concepts of parallelogram law and triangle law;
4. Familiarize the different units use in statics; and
5. Solve conversion of units.

Learning Content/Topic

Lesson 1-1 – Branches of Mechanics

The branches and sub-branches of mechanics are presented below.

Engineering Mechanics

Statics Dynamics

Force Systems Applications Kinematics Kinetics

Concurrent Structures Translation Translation
Parallel Friction Rotation Rotation
Non-Concurrent Plane Motion Plane Motion

Fundamental Concepts (Definition of Terms)

Rigid Body. A definite amount of matter the parts of which are fixed in
position relative to each other.

1
 Statics of Rigid Bodies. A branch of mechanics that deals with the effect and
distribution of forces on rigid bodies which are and remain at rest.
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies. A branch of mechanics that considers the
motion of rigid bodies caused by the forces acting upon them.
Force. Force may be defined as that which changes, or tends to
change the state of motion of a body.
Inertia. A property of matter that resist the change in motion of a body.
Mass. The quantitative measure of inertia.
Principle of Transmissibility. The external effect of force on a body is the
same for all points of applications along its line of action.

Lesson 1-2 – Axioms of Mechanics

The axioms of mechanics are stated in lengthy discussion in subsequent
articles. At this time we shall merely collate them for reference and state them
I the following form:
1. Parallelogram Law states that the resultant of two forces is the
diagonal of the parallelogram formed on the vectors of these forces.
2. Two forces are in equilibrium only when equal on magnitude,
opposite in direction, and collinear in action.
3. A set of forces in equilibrium may be added to any system of
forces without changing the effect of the original system.
4. Action and reaction forces are equal but oppositely directed.

Lesson 1-3 – Parallelogram and Triangle Law

Parallelogram Law states that the sum of the squares of the lengths of the
four sides of a parallelogram equals the sum of the squares of the lengths of
the two diagonals. Consider the illustration below:
Y

F1

F2
X

2
 Given the two forces above, the resultant or the vector sum of two
forces may be can be determined by parallelogram law as shown below.
Y

F2 R

F1
F1

F2
X

Triangle Law of forces addition states that when two forces are represented
as two sides of the triangle with the order of magnitude and direction, then the
third side of the triangle represents the magnitude and direction of the
resultant force.

F1

F2
X

Given the two forces above, the resultant or the vector sum of two forces
may be can be determined by triangle law in two ways as shown below.
Y

F1
F2
X

3
 Y

F2 R

F1

Example Solve 1
Solve for the resultant force of the two forces shown below.
Y

F2

F1
X

Solution A: by parallelogram law

Y
F1
F2 R

F2
F1
X
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