Engineering Mechanics: ME101

Lecture 2: Statics

Pankaj Biswas (PhD)

Department of Mechanical Engineering
IIT Guwahati
D Block : Room No 207 : Tel: 2675
Type of Vectors

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 Laws of vectors addition
– Equivalent vector V = V1 + V2 (Vector Sum)

 Triangle law of vector addition:

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Addition of Forces in a Plane

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 Resolution of vectors in Cartesian coordinate
Resultant Force vector
(i)

where e = unit vector

 Force vector magnitude

(ii)

 The direction angles and therefore the direction of the force

follow from:
(iii)

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Procedure for Analysis

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 Force System

 A systems of concentrated forces that have a common point of

application are investigated. Such forces are called
concurrent forces.
 If all the forces acting on a body act in a plane, they are called
coplanar forces.

Fig. Addition of Forces in a Plane

 Since in this case the force vectors are sliding vectors, they may be
applied at any point along their lines of action without changing their
effect on the body (principle of transmissibility) 7
 Force Systems
• Concurrent forces
– Lines of action intersect at a point

F2 F2
R = F1+F2
F2 R
R R F2
A A
F1 F1 F1 A F1
Plane

Concurrent Forces Principle of R = F1 + F2

F1 and F2 Transmissibility
 Principle of transmissibility, states that a force may be applied at any point
on its given line of action without altering the resultant effects of the force to
the rigid body on which it acts. 8
Example of coplanar forces

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Force Systems
• Parallel Forces
– Lines of action do not intersect at a point

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Components of a Force
• Examples

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Moment of a System of Concurrent Forces
Varignon’s Theorem
– Moment of the resultant of a system of
concurrent forces about a point is equal to the
sum of the moments of the individual forces
about the same point

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 Rectangular Components of Moment

The moment of F about B,

  
M B  rA / B  F
  
rA / B  rA  rB
  
 x A  xB  i   y A  y B  j  z A  z B  k
   
F  Fx i  Fy j  Fz k

  
i j k

M B  x A  xB   y A  yB  z A  z B 
Fx Fy Fz

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Vector Representation

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Components of a Force
Example 1:
Determine the x and y
scalar components of
F1, F2, and F3 acting
at point A of the bracket

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Components of Force
Solution:

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Components of Force
Vector approach: Scalar components of F3 can be obtained
by writing F3 as a magnitude times a unit vector nAB in the
direction of the line segment AB.

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 Problem
 Ex-2 A hook carries two forces F1 and F2, as shown in figure,
Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant.

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 Problem
 Ex-3: An eyebolt is subjected to four forces (F1 = 12 kN, F2
= 8 kN, F3 = 18 kN, F4 = 4 kN) that act under given angles

 with respect to the horizontal as shown in figure. Determine the

magnitude and direction of the resultant.

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 Equation of Equilibrium
 Two forces are in equilibrium if they are oppositely directed on
the same line of action and have the same magnitude.

 A system of concurrent forces is in equilibrium if the resultant is

zero.

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 Problem
 Ex. 4: A wheel with weight G is held on a smooth inclined
plane by a cable (fig). Determine the force in the cable and the
contact force between the plane and the wheel.

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 Solution
 Steps

 Based on Lamis theorem

 Graphical

 Equation of equilibrium

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 Problem
 Ex.5: Two bars 1 and 2 are attached at A and B to a wall by
smooth pins. They are pin-connected at C and subjected to a
weight G. Calculate the forces in the bars

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 Solution

 Based on Lamis theorem

 Equation of equilibrium

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 Three-dimensional Force System
 A force can be resolved uniquely into three components in space

 The magnitude and the direction of F

are given by

 For multiple forces

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 Three-dimensional Force System
 The magnitude and direction of R follow as

 A spatial system of concurrent forces is in equilibrium if the

resultant is the zero vector

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AB = (xB-xA)i + (yB-yA)j + (zB-zA)k

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End

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