STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

EQUILIBRIUM OF CONCURRENT FORCE SYSTEM

Statics deals essentially with forces acting
on bodies that are at rest. Such bodies
are said to be in equilibrium. Equilibrium is
the condition where the resultant of the
The force system acting on the body is
zero.
Equilibrium of Concurrent Force Systems

The conditions for the equilibrium of concurrent force systems are

determined by the equations that produce a zero resultant; thus, if

R = (å Fx ) 2 + (å Fy ) 2 then R = 0 if åF
x =0 and åF
y =0

Problem 1
A cylinder weighing 600 N is held against
a smooth incline by means of a B
weightless rod AB, as shown. Determine
the forces exerted on the cylinder by the
rod and the incline.
250 550
 600 600

B
250 350
P P NF
550
A NF
250
550

NF
By Sine Law
550 ! '((
600
=
600 "#$ %%° "#$ '(°

250 350 P 650 P P = 567.525 N

600 NF
P )! '((
P Force triangle =
"#$ '%° "#$ '(°
Applicable if there
are 3 forces involved
NF = 627.908 N
 y
Another Solution
600
↑ + # 𝐹1 = 0

x 𝑁+ sin35° + 𝑃𝑠𝑖𝑛25° − 600 = 0 → 𝐸𝑞. 2

250 350
) ,-./%°
P NF 𝑁+ sin35° + ! 𝑠𝑖𝑛25° − 600 = 0
,-.0%°
𝑁+ sin35° + 𝑁+ 𝑐𝑜𝑠35°𝑡𝑎𝑛25° − 600 = 0

𝑁+ (sin35° + 𝑐𝑜𝑠35°𝑡𝑎𝑛25°) – 600 = 0

→ + # 𝐹* = 0 '((
𝑁+ =
.23/%°4,-./%°5630%°
Pcos25° − 𝑁+ 𝑐𝑜𝑠35° = 0
𝑵𝑭 = 627.908N
)! ,-./%°
P= ,-.0%°
→ 𝐸𝑞. 1
'08.:(;,-./%°
P=
,-.0%°

P= 567.525N
Problem 2
Figure 1 represents the concurrent forces acting at a joint of a roof truss. x’
Determine P and F to maintain equilibrium.
y y
F y’ F

P 1050 600 P 1050 600

x 150 x
450 450
400 lb 300 400 lb
600 600 600
300 300
Figure 1
500 lb 500 lb
300 lb 300 lb
y’
P
l b Rotation of axis
0 0
5 45 0
Rotate the x-y axis so that one of the unknown
300 force (in this case, F) coincides with the principal
300 F x’ axis, thus eliminating F from ∑𝐹𝑦 < = 0
60
0

300 lb
400 lb
Rotated axis
 ↑ + # 𝐹1 = 0
P
Psin75° + 500𝑠𝑖𝑛30° − 300𝑠𝑖𝑛30° − 400𝑠𝑖𝑛60° = 0
P = 255.103lb
500 lb
45 0
300
300 F
60
0

300 lb
→ + # 𝐹* = 0
400 lb
Rotated axis F – Pcos75° − 500𝑐𝑜𝑠30° − 300𝑐𝑜𝑠30° + 400𝑐𝑜𝑠60° = 0
F – 255.103cos75° − 500𝑐𝑜𝑠30° − 300𝑐𝑜𝑠30° + 400𝑐𝑜𝑠60° = 0
F = 558.846lb
Problem 3
Three bars, hinged at A and D and pinned at B and C, form a four-link
mechanism as shown. Determine the value of P that will prevent motion.

C
B 600
450 450
750
P
300 N

A D
 BC C
B BC
600 CD C
450 450
AB 750 B 600
P 450 450
300 N 750
P
300 N

A D
BC
B BC
600 CD
AB 750 450 450
300 N P
By Sine Law
BC => /((
BC 600 =
750 "#$ 8%° "#$ '(°
600
450 BC = 334.607 N
AB P
750 CD
300
450 => !
=
"#$ ?%° "#$ 8%°
//?.'(8 !
=
"#$ ?%° "#$ 8%°

P = 457.082 N
 Problem 4
The cylinders shown in the figure have the indicated weight and
dimensions. Assuming smooth contact surfaces, determine the reactions
at A, B, C & D. The big cylinder weighs 600 N; the small one weighs 300 N.

1ft
D
C

A
2ft

B
5.6 ft
 300 N 300 N

1 ft D 1 ft D
RD
600 N C C
θ
RC
A θ
2 ft
600 N C
RC
B
RA A θ
5.6 ft 2 ft

3.0 B
1.5

θ RB
2.6
 300 N

1 ft D ↑ + # 𝐹1 = 0 → + # 𝐹* = 0
RD
C 3.0
θ 1.5 𝑅> sinθ − 300 = 0 𝑅> cosθ − 𝑅A = 0
1.5 2.6
RC 𝑅> − 300 = 0 600 − 𝑅A = 0
θ 3 3
300 N 2.6 𝑹𝑪 = 600N 𝑹𝑫 = 520N

θ RD
RC C
↓ + # 𝐹1 = 0 → + # 𝐹* = 0
600 N C 600 N
RC RC=600 600sinθ + 600 − 𝑅= = 0 𝑅E − 𝑅> cosθ = 0
A θ RA θ 0.'
RA C.% 𝑅E − 600 =0
2 ft 600 + 600 − 𝑅= = 0 /
/ 𝑹𝑨 = 520N

B RB 𝑹𝑩 = 900N

RB