Technological University of the Philippines

STATIC OF RIGID
BODIES
MOMENT OF
COUPLES
MOMENT OF COUPLE
(ANALYSIS)
  Moment of a couple - given two equal and opposite forces, the product of the force and the distance between
them. 
couple - (in physics) something joined by two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines. 
moment - a turning force produced by an object acting at a distance (or a measure of that force)
Formula :
𝑀 @=𝐹𝑑
𝑀 @=𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒
𝐹=𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
𝑑=𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠
SAMPLE PROBLEM
(APPLICATION)
1. The wrench applies a 10 N-m couple moment to the bolt. To prevent the plate from rotating, two 2-N forces
are applied as shown. Determine the distance s such that the resultant couple moment acting on the plate and
bolt is zero.

Solution :
𝑀=𝐹𝑑
10 𝑁 −𝑚=2 𝑁 (𝑑)
𝑑=5 𝑚
𝒔=𝟓𝒎
SAMPLE PROBLEM
(APPLICATION)
2. Determine the magnitude and sense of the resultant couple moment acting on the rectangular
plate.
Solution :
Resolve the inclined forces into rectangular components
(x-y components)

− 17.32 𝑁

𝐹 𝑥 = 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
𝐹 𝑦 = 𝐹𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
− 10 𝑁
 SAMPLE PROBLEM
(APPLICATION)
2. Determine the magnitude and sense of the resultant couple moment acting on the rectangular
plate.

8𝑚
4𝑚
− 17.32 𝑁

− 10 𝑁
 SAMPLE PROBLEM
(APPLICATION)
2. Determine the magnitude and sense of the resultant couple moment acting on the rectangular
plate.
Solution : solve the individual couple moment
𝑀 𝐵𝐷 =𝐹𝑑 :𝐶𝐿𝑂𝐶𝐾𝑊𝐼𝑆𝐸
𝑀 𝐴𝐶 = 𝐹 𝑦 𝑑 − 𝐹 𝑥 𝑑
𝑀 𝐵𝐷 =− 30 𝑁 (8 𝑚) 𝑀 𝐴𝐶 =10 𝑁(8 𝑚)−17.32 𝑁(4 𝑚)
8𝑚 𝑀 𝐵𝐷 =−240 𝑁 − 𝑚 𝑀 𝐴𝐶 =10.72 𝑁 −𝑚
For resultant of couple moment just add the solved couples
4𝑚 𝑀 𝑅 =𝑀 𝐵𝐷 +𝑀 𝐴𝐶
− 17.32 𝑁
𝑀 𝑅 =− 240+10.72
𝑴 𝑹=− 𝟐𝟐𝟗. 𝟐𝟖 𝑵 −𝒎
− 10 𝑁 𝑴 𝑹=𝟐𝟐𝟗 .𝟐𝟖 𝑵 − 𝒎
Alternative solution : take the
Σ 𝑀 𝐷=0 :𝐶𝐿𝑂𝐶𝐾𝑊𝐼𝑆𝐸 Σ 𝑀 𝐷=− 17.32 ( 4 ) − 30 ( 8 ) +10 (8)
Σ 𝑀 𝐷=− 𝐹 𝐶 ( 4 ) − 𝐹 𝐵 ( 8 )+ 𝐹 𝐴 (8)𝜮 𝑴 𝑫 =−𝟐𝟐𝟗 . 𝟐𝟖 𝑵 −𝒎
SEAT WORK 5
(MOMENT OF COUPLE)
Instruction : show your solution and draw the FBD(free-body diagram).
BOX THE FINAL ANSWER
1. Determine the value of the force P such that the resultant couple moment of
the two couples acting on the beam is 900 lbs.-ft clockwise.
SEAT WORK 5
(MOMENT OF COUPLE)
1. Two swimmers on opposite sides of a boat attempt to turn the boat by pushing as shown.
Determine the couple moment about
(a) point A on the bow,
(b) point B on the stern, and
(C) point C.