CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

ENS161
Statics of Rigid Bodies

Solutions to:

1st Chapter Exam

Prepared by:

ENGR. STEVE ANTHONY N. LIM

Exam Date:

September 13, 2023

1st Chapter Exam Problem 1

1 Problem #1
Resultant of Concurrent Forces in 2D
Determine the magnitude of the force P so that the resultant of the three forces
shown is minimum.

Solution

Using analytical method

P
Rx = Fx

5(260)
Rx = P sin 30◦ + + 200
13

Rx = 0.5P + 300
P
Ry = Fy

12(260)
Ry = P cos 30◦ −
13
√
P 3
Ry = − 240
2

such that the resultant is

q
R= Rx2 + Ry2

√ 
r 
R= P 2 + 300 − 200 3 P + 14760

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 2 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.

1st Chapter Exam Problem 1

to solve for the value of P to make R minimum we take

!
√ 
r
d 
P 2 + 300 − 200 3 P + 14760 =0
dP

1 2  √  − 12  √ 
P + 300 − 200 3 P + 14760 2P + 300 − 3 = 0
2
√
2P + 300 − 3=0

P = 57.8 N

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 3 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.

1st Chapter Exam Problem 2

2 Problem #2
Equilibrium of Concurrent Forces in 2D
A 6 m long rope is used to suspend the 120 kg crate using the pulley at D as
shown. Determine the length L (the length of the portion of the rope to the
right of the pulley) for equilibrium. The size of the pulley is negligible.

Solution

Figure 2.1: Free-Body Diagram (FBD)

From Fig. (2.1) (Note: T is the same for a continuous rope.)

P
Fx = 0

T cos ϕ = T cos θ

cos ϕ = cos θ

ϕ=θ

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 4 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.

1st Chapter Exam Problem 2

Figure 2.2: Geometrical Analysis

from Fig. (2.2) and knowing that cos ϕ = cos θ

x 4−x
=
L 6−L

6x −  = 4L − 
xL xL


3x
L=
2

such that

x
cos ϕ =
L

2
cos ϕ =
3

ϕ = 48.2◦

p
BC = 42 + 12
√
BC = 17

1
tan α =
4

α = 14.04◦

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 5 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.

1st Chapter Exam Problem 2

β = 180◦ − 2ϕ

β = 83.62◦

γ =ϕ−α

γ = 34.2◦

by using Sine Law on triangle △BCD

BC L
=
sin β sin γ

sin γ
L= · BC
sin β

L = 2.33 m

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 6 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.

1st Chapter Exam Problem 3

3 Problem #3
Resultant of Concurrent Forces in 3D
The magnitude of the rectangular components of the resultant of the three forces
shown are as follows: Rx = −32.7 kN, Ry = 44.5 kN, and Rz = 46.5 kN. If the
magnitude of the force Q is 20 kN, determine the required value of the length d
to make this scenario possible.

Solution

Defining the forces in 3D

P (−di + 3j)
P= √
d2 + 3 2

Pd 3P
= −√ i+ √ j
d2 + 9 d2 + 9

20(−di + 3j + 2k)
Q= √
d2 + 32

20d 60 40
= −√ i+ √ j+√ k
2
d + 13 2
d + 13 2
d + 13

F (−di + 2k)
F= √
d2 + 3 2

Fd 2F
= −√ i+ √
2
d +4 d2 + 4

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 7 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.

1st Chapter Exam Problem 3

So that
P
Fx = 0
Pd 20d Fd
√ +√ +√ = 32.7 (1)
2
d +9 2
d + 13 d2 + 4
P
Fy = 0
3P 60
√ +√ = 44.5 (2)
2
d +9 2
d + 13
P
Fz = 0
40 2F
√ +√ = 46.5 (3)
d2+ 13 d2 + 4
from (2) and (3)  
P 1 60
√ = 44.5 − √ (4)
2
d +9 3 d2 + 13
 
F 1 40
√ = 46.5 − √ (5)
d2 + 4 2 d2 + 13
substituting (4) and (5) to (1)
   
d 60 20d d 40
44.5 − √ +√ + 46.5 − √ = 32.7
3 2
d + 13 d + 13 2
2 2
d + 13
 
44.5 46.5 20d
d + −√ = 32.7
3 2 d2 + 13

457d 20d
−√ = 32.7
12 d2 + 13

d = 0.999 m

d ≈ 1m

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 8 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.

1st Chapter Exam Problem 4

4 Problem #4
Equilibrium of Concurrent Forces in 3D
A 10 m high tower, stabilized by three guys-wires attached to its apex, is to be
erected inside a square lot such that its location is at distances from the corners
as shown. Determine the tension in each guy-wire if the base exerts a 300 kN
upward force on the tower. (Note: All tension values must be correct for full
credit.)

Solution

Solving, first, for the length (L) of the side of the square lot. From the figure

Figure 4.1: Free-Body Diagram (FBD)

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 9 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.

1st Chapter Exam Problem 4

Figure 4.2: Plane xz

42 = 32 + L2 − 2(3)(L) cos α

7 − L2
cos α =
−6L

52 = 32 + L2 − 2(5)(L) cos(90◦ − α)

16 − L2
sin α =
−6L

recall that: sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1

2 2
16 − L2 7 − L2
 
+ =1
−6L −6L

49 − 14L2 + L4 + 256 − 32L2 + L4 = 36L2

2L4 − 82L2 + 305 = 0

using quadratic equation

s p
82 + (82)2 − 4(2)(305)
L=
2(2)

L = 6.07 m

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 10 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.

1st Chapter Exam Problem 4

Figure 4.3: Vertical Triangles

from Fig. (4.2) and (4.3)

 
10
θ = tan−1
4

θ = 68.2◦

 
−1 10
ϕ = tan
5

ϕ = 63.4◦

 
10
β = tan−1
3

β = 73.3◦

7 − L2
 
α = cos−1
−6L

α = 34.9◦

L2 − 34
 
ρ = cos−1 −α
−30

ρ = 60.5◦

L2 − 25
 
−1
γ = cos − (90◦ − α)
−24

γ = 64.6◦

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 11 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.

1st Chapter Exam Problem 4

defining the tensions in 3D space

T1 = −T1 cos θ sin γ i + T1 sin θ j + T1 cos θ cos γ k

T2 = −T2 cos β cos α i + T2 sin β j + T2 cos β sin α k

T3 = −T3 cos ϕ cos ρ i + T3 sin ϕ j + T3 cos ϕ sin ρ k

such that:
P
Fx = 0

−T1 cos θ sin γ + −T2 cos β cos α + −T3 cos ϕ cos ρ = 0 (1)
P
Fy = 0
T1 sin θ + T2 sin β + T3 sin ϕ = 0 (2)
P
Fz = 0

T1 cos θ cos γ + T2 cos β sin α + T3 cos ϕ sin ρ = 0 (3)

simultanesouly solving equations (1), (2) and (3)

T1 = 131.0 kN

T2 = 97.8 kN

T3 = 95.0 kN

CVE151 - Structural Theory I 12 LIM, STEVE ANTHONY N.