Examples on Equilibrium

Problem-1
Calculate the tension T in the cable which supports the 500-kg mass with the pulley
arrangement shown. Each pulley is free to rotate about its bearing, and the weights of all
parts are small compared with the load. Find the magnitude of the total force on the
bearing of pulley C.

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 Solution
Pulley A :
M O  0  T1r  T2 r  0  T1  T2
  Fy  0  T1  T2  500  9.81  0  2T1  500  9.81
 T1  T2  2450 N
Pulley B :
T3  T4  T2 / 2  1226 N
Pulley C :
The moment equilibriu m requires :
T  T3 or T  1226 N

 Fx  0  1226 cos 300  Fx  0  Fx  1062 N
  Fy  0  Fy  1226 sin 300  1226  0  Fy  613 N
 F  Fx2  F y2  10622  6132  1226 N

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 Problem-2
A cantilever beam OABC is subjected to the forces and moment as shown.
(i) Draw free body diagram of the cantilever beam OABC.
(ii) Compute the reactions at the fixed support point O.
Assume beam is weightless and its thickness is negligible compared to other
dimensions. Note the two pulleys, shown in the figure, are smooth.

0
15 kN.m 30
1.4 kN 3 kN
O A B C
x

1.2 m 1.8 m 1.8 m

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 Solution
(i) Free body diagram of the cantilever beam

(ii) Reactions at the fixed support O

( )Fx  0  Ox  3 sin 30  0  Ox  1.5 kN

 )Fy  0  Oy  1.4  3 cos 30  0  O y  3.99 kN

(CCW  ) M o  0   M O  1.4 1.2  15  3 cos 30  4.8  0  M O  29.15 kNm

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 Problem-3
Determine the force P required to maintain the 200 kg weight in the
position. The diameter of the pulley at B is negligible. Given, θ = 300
.

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 Solution
tan  
 2  2 cos 30     15



2 sin 30 

  180  (30  90 )  60

T 150 P
600

200×9.81
Free Body Diagram

  Fx  0  T sin 60  P sin 15  0  T  0.3P

  Fy  0  T cos 60  P cos15  200  9.81  0
 0.3P cos 60  P cos15  200  9.81  0  P  1758.2 N
 T  0.3P  0.3  1758.2  527.5 N  T  527.5 N
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 Problem-4
The uniform concrete slab shown in edge view has a mass of 25000 kg and is
being hoisted slowly into a vertical position by the tension P in the hoisting
cable. For the position where θ = 600 calculate the force T in the horizontal
anchor cable. Assume support A is a roller.

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 Solution

Free Body Diagram of Slab

25000  9.81 2
P  163500 N
 
cos 30  6 sin 60  sin 30  3
T  P cos 30  163500  cos 30  141595.1
 T  141.6 kN
  Fx  0  T  P cos 30  0  T  P cos 30
CCW ()M A  0  P cos 30  6 sin 60 
P sin 30  3  25000  9.81 2  0
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 Sample Problem 5

A fixed crane has a mass of 1000 kg and is used to lift a 2400 kg crate. It is held
in place by a pin at A and a rocker at B. The center of gravity of the crane is
located at G.
Determine the components of the reactions at A and B.
 Sample Problem 5-Continued
y
• Determine the reaction at B by solving the
equation for the sum of the moments of all
forces about A.

M A  0 :  B1.5m   9.81 kN 2m   23.5 kN 6m   0

x
B  107.1 kN
• Determine the reactions at A by solving the
equations for the sum of all horizontal forces
• Draw the free-body diagram
and all vertical forces.
 Fx  0 : Ax  B  0
Ax  107.1 kN

 Fy  0 : Ay  9.81kN  23.5 kN  0
Ay  33.3 kN
 Sample Problem 6

The frame supports part of the roof of a small building. The tension in the
cable is 150 kN.
Determine the reaction forces at the fixed end E.
 Sample Problem 6-Continued
• Solve 3 equilibrium equations for the
reaction force components and couple.
4.5
 x
F  0 : E x  150 kN   0
7.5
E x  90 kN

6
 Fy  0 : E y  4 20 kN   150 kN   0
7.5
E y  200 kN

• Draw a free-body diagram for  M E  0 :  20 kN 7.2 m   20 kN 5.4 m 

the frame and the cable.
 20 kN 3.6 m   20 kN1.8 m 
6
 150 kN  4.5 m  M E  0
7.5
M E  180 kN  m
Sample Problem 4
Sample Problem 4-Continued