BDA 10203 – STATICS

STATICS OF PARTICLE

Lecture 3 – Equilibrium in Plane (2D)

DR SHAHRUDDIN BIN MAHZAN@MOHD ZIN

 EQUILIBRIUM OF A PARTICLE IN 2-D
Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to :
a) Draw a free body diagram (FBD), and,
b) Apply equations of equilibrium to solve a 2-D problem.

Learning Topics:
• What, why and how of a FBD
• Equations of equilibrium
• Analysis of spring and
pulleys
 READING QUIZ

1) When a particle is in equilibrium, the sum of forces acting on it

equals ___ . (Choose the most appropriate answer)
A) a constant B) a positive number C) zero
D) a negative number E) an integer.

2) For a frictionless pulley and cable, tensions in the cable (T1

and T2) are related as _____ .
A) T1 > T2
B) T1 = T2
C) T1 < T2
D) T1 = T2 sin 
 APPLICATIONS

For a spool of given weight, For a given cable strength,

what are the forces in what is the maximum
cables AB and AC ? weight that can be lifted ?
EQUILIBRIUM OF PARTICLE IN 2-D (Section 3.3)

This is an example of a 2-D or

coplanar force system. If the
whole assembly is in equilibrium,
then particle A is also in
equilibrium.

To determine the tensions in

the cables for a given weight
of the engine, we need to learn
how to draw a free body
diagram and apply equations of
equilibrium.
THE WHAT, WHY AND HOW OF A FREE BODY
DIAGRAM (FBD)

Free Body Diagrams are one of the most important things for you
to know how to draw and use.

What ? - It is a drawing that shows

all external forces acting on the
particle.

Why ? - It helps you write the

equations of equilibrium used to
solve for the unknowns (usually
forces or angles).
How ?
1. Imagine the particle to be isolated or cut free from its surroundings.

2. Show all the forces that act on the particle.

Active forces: They want to move the particle.
Reactive forces: They tend to resist the motion.
3. Identify each force and show all known magnitudes and directions.
Show all unknown magnitudes and / or directions as variables .

Note : Engine mass = 250 Kg FBD at A

 EQUATIONS OF 2-D EQUILIBRIUM

Since particle A is in equilibrium, the

net force at A is zero.
So FAB + FAD + FAC = 0
or  F = 0

In general, for a particle in equilibrium,  F = 0 or

Fx i + Fy j = 0 = 0 i + 0 j (A vector equation)

Or, written in a scalar form,

Fx = 0 and  Fy = 0
These are two scalar equations of equilibrium (EofE). They can
be used to solve for up to two unknowns.
 EXAMPLE

Note : Engine mass = 250 Kg FBD at A

Write the scalar EofE:

+   Fx = TB cos 30º – TD = 0
+  Fy = TB sin 30º – 2.452 kN = 0

Solving the second equation gives: TB = 4.90 kN

From the first equation, we get: TD = 4.25 kN
 EXAMPLE

Determine the magnitude and angle  of F so that the particle is in equilibrium.

Given:

F1  4.5 kN
F2  7.5 kN
F3  2.25 kN
  60 
  30 
 SPRINGS, CABLES, AND PULLEYS

Spring Force = spring constant * With a frictionless

deformation, or pulley, T1 = T2.
F=k* S
 EXAMPLE

Given: Sack A weighs 20 N. and

geometry is as shown.
Find: Forces in the cables and
weight of sack B.

Plan:
1. Draw a FBD for Point E.
2. Apply EofE at Point E to solve for the unknowns (TEG & TEC).
3. Repeat this process at C.
 A FBD at E should look like the
one to the left. Note the
assumed directions for the two
cable tensions.

The scalar EofE are:

+   Fx = TEG sin 30º – TEC cos 45º = 0
+  Fy = TEG cos 30º – TEC sin 45º – 20 N = 0

Solving these two simultaneous equations for the two

unknowns yields:
TEC = 38.6 N
TEG = 54.6 N
 Now move on to ring C. A FBD
for C should look like the one to
the left.

The scalar EofE are:

   Fx = 38.64 cos 45 – (4/5) TCD = 0
   Fy = (3/5) TCD + 38.64 sin 45 – WB = 0

Solving the first equation and then the second yields

TCD = 34.2 N and WB = 47.8 N .
IN CLASS TUTORIAL (GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING)

Given: The car is towed at constant

speed by the 600 N force and
the angle  is 25°.
Find: The forces in the ropes AB and
AC.

Plan:

1. Draw a FBD for point A.

2. Apply the EofE to solve for the
forces in ropes AB and AC.
 600 N

FBD at point A
A
25° 30°

FAB FAC

Applying the scalar EofE at A, we get;

+  Fx = FAC cos 30° – FAB cos 25° = 0
+  Fy = -FAC sin 30° – FAB sin 25° + 600 = 0

Solving the above equations, we get;

FAB = 634 N
FAC = 664 N
 ATTENTION QUIZ

1. Select the correct FBD of particle A.

30 A 40

100 N

F1 F2
A
A) B)
30 40°
100
N A
F F1 F2
C) 30° D) 30° 40°
A
A
100 N 100 N
 ATTENTION QUIZ

2. Using this FBD of Point C, the sum of

forces in the x-direction ( FX) is ___ .
Use a sign convention of +  .
20 N 50°
A) F2 sin 50° – 20 = 0
C
B) F2 cos 50° – 20 = 0 F1

C) F2 sin 50° – F1 = 0
D) F2 cos 50° + 20 = 0
 HOMEWORK TUTORIAL

Q1 (2.44) :
Knowing that α = 25°, determine the tension
(a) in cable AC,
(b) in rope BC.
 HOMEWORK TUTORIAL (continued)

Q2 (2.46) :
Two cables are tied together at C and are loaded as shown. Knowing
that α = 30°, determine the tension (a) in cable AC, (b) in cable BC.
 HOMEWORK TUTORIAL (continued)

Q3 (2.51) :
Two forces P and Q are applied as shown to an aircraft connection.
Knowing that the connection is in equilibrium and the P = 1.8kN and
Q = 2.3 kN, determine the magnitudes of the forces exerted on the
rods A and B.
 HOMEWORK TUTORIAL (continued)

Q4 (2.67) :
A 280-kg crate is supported by several rope-and-pulley arrangements
as shown. Determine for each arrangement the tension in the rope.
(Hint: The tension in the rope is the same on each side of a simple
pulley.)

T T
T

T T

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)

 HOMEWORK TUTORIAL (continued)

Q5 (3-13) :
Determine the stretch in each spring for equilibrium of the block of
mass M. The springs are shown in the equilibrium position.
Given:
M = 2kg
a = 3m
b = 3m
c = 4m
kAB=30Nm
kAC = 20Nm
kAD = 40Nm
g = 9.81ms²
 HOMEWORK TUTORIAL (continued)

Q6 (3-17) :
Determine the force in each cable and the force F needed to hold the
lamp of mass M in the position shown.
Hint: First analyze the equilibrium at B; then, using the result for the
force in BC, analyze the equilibrium at C.
Given:
M := 4kg
θ1 := 30°
θ2 := 60°
θ3 := 30°