BME101 / BME201: FUNDAMENTALS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Unit -1: Introduction to Mechanics: Force, moment and couple, Principle of transmissibility,
Varignon's theorem, Resultant of force system- concurrent and non-concurrent coplanar forces,
Types of supports (Hinge, Roller) and loads (Point, UDL, UVL), Free body diagram, equilibrium
equations and Support Reactions
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Force
 A force is defined as the action of one body on another.
 A force has magnitude, direction and a point of application.
 Magnitude of force is expressed in Newtons (N).
 Force units are defined in terms of mass multiplied by the acceleration
produced by gravity (9.8m/s2 ).
Moment
 A moment is a measure of rotation about a point. The moment of a force
about a point is a measure of the tendency of that force to rotate about that
point. The moment of a force is the product of the force and a perpendicular
distance from the point of rotation.
 Moment = Force × ⊥ Distance M = F × ⊥ d
 A moment has both magnitude and direction. The measurement unit of a
moment is the Newton metre (Nm).
When dealing with moments it is important to apply a CONSISTENT sign
convention with the direction of the moment.
For example, the moment of force F about point “O” in Figure 1(a) is a measure of
the tendency of the force to rotate the body about line A-A. Line A-A is
perpendicular to the plane containing force F and point “O”. Figure 1(b) shows the
plane containing F and “O”. Point “O” is called the moment centre, distance “d” is
called the moment arm and line A-A is called the axis of the moment.

Couple
Two parallel forces equal in magnitude and opposite in direction and separated by
a definite distance are said to form a couple. The sum of the forces forming a
couple is zero, since they are equal and opposite, which means the translatory
effect of the couple is zero.
An interesting property can be observed if we consider rotational effect of a couple
about any point. Let the magnitude of the forces forming the couple be F and the
perpendicular distance between the two forces be d. Consider the moment of the t
two forces constituting a couple about point 1 as shown in Fig. (a).

Let the moment be M1 then,

M1 = Fd1 + Fd2= F (d1 + d2) = Fd
Now, consider the moment of the forces about point 2 which is outside the two
forces as shown in Fig. (b). Let M2 be the moment. Then,
M2 = Fd3 – Fd4 = F (d3 – d4) = Fd
Similarly it can be seen that M3 = Fd
Thus at any point M = Fd
Since the only effect of a couple is a moment and this moment is the same about
any point, the effect of a couple is unchanged if:
 The couple is rotated through any angle;
 The couple is shifted to any other position;
 The couple is replaced by another pair of forces whose rotational effect is
the same.

Principle of transmissibility of forces

Principle of transmissibility states that the state ooff rest or of motion of a rigid body
will be unaltered if a force acting on the body will be replaced by another force of
the same magnitude and direction but acting anywhere on the body along the same
line of action of the applied forces.
For example the force F acting on a rigid body at point A. According to the
principle of transmissibility of forces, this force has the same effect on the body as
a force F applied at point B.

The principle of transmissibility of forces will be only aapplicable

pplicable for rigid bodies.
It will not be applicable for deformable bodies.
Forces Systems
When a mechanics problem or system has more than one force acting, it is known
as a ‘force system’ or ‘system of force’.

Resultant Force
A resultant force is a single force, which produce same affect so that of number of
forces can produce is called resultant force.
Parallelogram Law
When two forces are acting at a point such that they can by represented by the
adjacent sides of a parallelogram then their resulta
resultant
nt will be equal to that diagonal
of the parallelogram which passed through the same point.
The magnitude and the direction of the resultant can be determined either
graphically or analytically as explained below.
Analytical method
In the parallelogram OABC, C, from point C drop a perpendicular CD to meet OA at
D as shown in fig.

In parallelogram OABC, OA = P, OB = Q, Angle AOB = θ

Now consider the ΔCAD in which Angle CAD = θ, AC = Q
By resolving the vector Q we have, CD = Q Sin θ and AD = Q Cos θ
Now consider ΔOCD
Angle DOC = α. Angle ODC = 90 90º
OC² = DC² + OD².
OC² = DC² + (OA + AD) ²
R2= (Q Sin θ) 2+ (P + Q Cos θθ) 2
R2= P2+Q2 + 2PQ Cos θ
The above equation gives the magnitude of the resultant vector.
Now the direction of the resultant can be calculated by,
tanα= CD/OD = (Q sinθ)/(P+Q Cos θ)

Resultant of coplanar force system

Analytical method consists in finding the components of given forces in two
mutually perpendicular directions and then combining them to get the resultant.
Finding the component of a force is called resolution of forces and is exactly the
opposite to the process of composition of forces. Finding the components of forces
in two mutually perpendicularly directions is preferable.
The following points associated with the analytical method of finding rectangular
components may be noted:
(i) Imagine that the arrow drawn to show force represents it to some scale
(ii) Travel from tail to head of the arrow in the directions of coordinates
(iii) The direction of the travel gives the direction of component forces
(iv) From the triangle law of forces, the magnitude of the components can be
calculated.
After finding the components of all the forces in the system in the two mutually
perpendicular directions, the component in each direction are algebraically added
to get the two components. These two components, which are mutually
perpendicular, are combined to get the resultant.
Let F1, F2, F3 and F4 shown in Fig. be the system of four forces the resultant of
which is required.

The procedure to get the resultant is given below:

Step 1: Find the components of all the forces in X and Y directions. Thus, F1x,
F2x, F3x, F4x, F1y, F2y, F3y, and F4y, are obtained.
Step 2: Find the algebraic sum of the component forces in X and Y directions.
Σ Fx = F1x + F2x + F3x + F4x
Σ Fy = F1y + F2y + F3y + F4y
(Note: In the above case F2x, F3x, F3Y and F4Y have negative values.)
Step 3: Now the system of forces is equal to two mutually perpendicular forces,
namely, ΣFx and ΣFy as shown in Fig. Since these two forces are perpendicular,
the parallelogram of forces becomes a rectangle. Hence the resultant R is given by:
R2= ΣFx 2+ ΣFy 2
and its inclination to x axis is given by: tanα= ΣFy / ΣFx
Note: R cos α = ΣFx = Rx and R sin α = ΣFy = Ry i.e., ΣFx and ΣFy are the x and
y components of the resultant.
Transfer of a force to parallel position
It will be advantageous to resolve a force acting at a point on a body into a force
acting at some other suitable point on the body and a couple. In Fig. (a) F is force
acting on a body at A.

Now it can be shown that F at A may be resolved into force F at B and a couple of
magnitude M = F × d, where d is the perpendicular distance of B from the line of
action of F through A.
By applying equal and opposite forces F at B the system of forces is not disturbed.
Hence the system of forces in fig (b) is the same as the system given in Fig. (a).
Now the original force F at A and the opposite force F at B form a couple of
magnitude Fd. The system in fig (b) can be replaced by the system shown in fig
(c). Thus, the given force F at A is replaced by a force F at B and a moment Fd.
Principle of moment/ Varignon’s theorem
Varignon’s Theorem states that the moment of a force about any point is equal to
the algebraic sum of the moments of its components about that point.
Principal of moments states that the moment of the resultant of a number of forces
about any point is equal to the algebraic sum of the moments of all the forces of the
system about the same point.

Mathematically R x AD = P x AB + Q x AC
Taking components of forces
R sin θ = P sin θ1 + Q sin θ2 ………… (i)
Multiplying both side by OA
R (OA sin θ) = P (OA sin θ1) + Q (OA sin θ2)………… (ii)
R x AD = P x AB + Q x AC ………… (iii)
FREE BODY DIAGRAM
A diagram or sketch of the body in which the body under consideration is freed
from the contact surface (surrounding) and all the forces acting on it (including
reactions at contact surface) are drawn is called free body diagram. Free body
diagram for few cases are shown in below

Procedure of drawing Free Body Diagram- To construct a free-body diagram, the

following steps are necessary:
 Draw Outline Shape
 Imagine that the particle is cut free from its surroundings or isolated by
drawing the outline shape of the particle only
 Show All Forces
 Show on this sketch all the forces acting on the particle. There are two
classes of forces that act on the particle. They can be active forces, which
tend to set the particle in motion, or they can be reactive forces which are the
results of the constraints or supports that tend to prevent motion.
 Identify Each Force
 The forces that are known should be labeled complete with their magnitudes
and directions. Letters are used to represent the magnitudes and directions of
forces that are not known.
Equilibrium of coplanar force system
If the force system acting on a body produces no external effect, the forces are said
to be in balance and the body experience no change in motion is said to be in
equilibrium.
Conditions of Static Equilibrium of Concurrent Forces
 The algebraic sum of all forces in the x-direction or horizontal is zero.
 The algebraic sum of all forces in the y-direction or vertical is zero.

Important Points for Equilibrium Forces

  Two forces are in equilibrium if they are equal and oppositely directed.
 Three coplanar forces in equilibrium are concurrent.
 Three or more concurrent forces in equilibrium form a close polygon when
connected in head-to--tail manner.
Conditions of Static Equilibrium of Non
Non-Concurrent Force System
There are three equilibrium conditions that can be us used for non-concurrent,
concurrent, non-
non
parallel force system.
 The algebraic sum of all forces in the xx-direction
direction or horizontal is zero.
 The algebraic sum of all forces in the yy-direction
direction or vertical is zero.
 The algebraic sum of moment at any point O is zero.
The three equilibrium conditions can solved up to three unknowns in the system. If
the system involves more than three unknowns, it is called indeterminate.
Indeterminate structures are beyond the scope of Engineering Mechanics.
Beam
A beam is a structural member which spans horizontally between supports and
carries loads which act at right angles to the length of the beam. Furthermore, the
width and depth of the beam are "small" compared with the span.
A beam is capable of withstanding load primarily by re resisting
sisting bending. The
bending force induced into the material of the beam as a result of the external
loads, own weight, span and external reactions to these loads is called a bending
moment.

Types of support
Supports are used to provide suitable reactions (Resistive force) to beam or any
body. Following types of supports are used.

Types of beam
(a) Cantilever beam: A cantilever beam is fixed at one end and free at other end.
(b) Simply supported beam: A simply supported beam is a type of beam that has
pinned support at one end and roller support at the other end. Depending on the
load applied, it undergoes shearing and bending. It is the one of the simplest
structural elements in existence.
(c) Overhanging beam: A overhanging beam is a beam that has one or both end
portions extending beyond its supports.
(d) Continuous beam: A continuous beam has more than two supports distributed
throughout its length.
(e) Fixed beam: As the name suggests, fixed beam is a type of beam whose both
ends are fixed.

Types of load

Value of UDL= load intensity (w) x length (L) acting at midpoint of CD

Value of UVL= (1/2) x load intensity (w) x length (L) acting at CG of triangle
formed (2L/3 from C or L/3 from D)

Unit-1 Assignment-1

P-1 An object is in equilibrium under four concurrent forces in the directions shown
in figure. Find the magnitude of F1 and F2.

P-2 The five forces shown in Fig. are in equilibrium. Compute the values of P and
F. [Ans: F=−12.63 kN, P=−5.31 kN]
P-3 Completely determines the resultant with respect to point O of the force system
shown in Fig.

Q-1-4 Determine the resultant and their position.

Q-5 A roller of weight 10 kN rests on a smooth horizontal floor and is connected to the floor by
the bar AC as shown in Fig. 5. Determine the force in the bar AC and reaction from floor, if the
roller is subjected to a horizontal force of 5 kN and an inclined force of 7 kN as shown in the
figure. [AC= - 0.058 kN, R = 14.979 kN]

Q-6 A roller of radius r = 300 mm and weight 2000 N is to be pulled over a curb of height 150
mm [Fig. 6] by a horizontal force P applied to the end of a string wound tightly around the
circumference of the roller. Find the magnitude of P required to start the roller move over the
curb. What is the least pull P through the centre of the wheel to just turn the roller over the curb?
[P = 1154.70 N, Pleast = 1732.05 N]
Q-7 Fig-7 shows a sphere resting in a smooth V shaped groove and subjected to a spring force.
The spring is compressed to a length of 100 mm from its free length of 150 mm. if the stiffness
of spring is 2N/mm, determine the contact reactions at A and B. [ RA = 121.24 N, RB =
70 N]
P- Find the reactions at supports A and B of the loaded beam shown in fig.

[Fig-2, RBH = 42.42 KN, RBV = 90.7KN, RAV = 91.6KN]

[Fig-3, RAH = 22.98 KN, RAV = 39.30 KN, RB = 25.9797 KN]
[Fig-5, RA = 671.8 N, RB = 578.2 N]