Free-Body Diagram and equations of equilibrium for concurrent force system,

parallel force system, general force system and spatial force system

Name – Kartik Jawanjal

Program – B.Tech (CSE)
Div – ‘c’ sem-2
Urn – (2022-B-08112003B)

Guided by – Dr. lalitrao Amrutsagar

Equilibrium Analysis for Concurrent
Force Systems

If a body is in static equilibrium, then by definition that body is not

accelerating. If we know that the body is not accelerating then we know
that the sum of the forces acting on that body must be equal to
zero. This is the basis for equilibrium analysis for a particle.
In order to solve for any unknowns in our sum of forces equation, we
actually need to turn the one vector equation into a set of scalar
equations. For two dimensional problems, we will split our one vector
equation down into two scalar equations. We do this by summing up all
the x components of the force vectors and setting them equal to zero in
our first equation, and summing up all the y components of the force
vectors and setting them equal to zero in our second equation.
∑→F=0∑�→=0

∑Fx=0∑��=0 ∑Fy=0

We do something similar in three dimensional problems except we will

break all our force vectors down into x, y, and z components, setting
the sum of x components equal to zero for our first equation, the sum
of all the y components equal to zero for our second equation, and the
sum of all our z components equal to zero for our third equation.

∑→F=0∑�→=0

∑Fx=0∑��=0 ∑Fy=0∑��=0 ∑Fz=0∑��=0

Once we have written out the equilibrium equations, we can solve the equations for
any unknown forces.
Finding the Equilibrium Equations:
The first step in finding the equilibrium equations is to draw a free body
diagram of the body being analyzed. This diagram should show all the known
and unknown force vectors acting on the body. In the free body diagram,
provide values for any of the know magnitudes or directions for the force
vectors and provide variable names for any unknowns (either magnitudes or
directions).
Next you will need to choose the x, y, and z axes. These axes do need
to be perpendicular to one another, but they do not necessarily have
to be horizontal or vertical. If you choose coordinate axes that line up
with some of your force vectors you will simplify later analysis.
Once you have chosen axes, you need to break down all of the force
vectors into components along the x, y and z directions (see the
vectors page in Appendix 1 if you need more guidance on this). Your
first equation will be the sum of the magnitudes of the components in
the x direction being equal to zero, the second equation will be the
sum of the magnitudes of the components in the y direction being
equal to zero, and the third (if you have a 3D problem) will be the sum
of the magnitudes in the z direction being equal to zero. Collectively
these are known as the equilibrium equations.
Once you have your equilibrium equations, you can solve them for
unknowns using algebra. The number of unknowns that you will be
able to solve for will be the number of equilibrium equations that you
have. In instances where you have more unknowns than equations,
the problem is known as a statically indeterminate problem and
you will need additional information to solve for the given unknowns.
The real life example of equilibrium of
concurrent forces is Cable Joint.
Question 1:
A 6 kg traffic light is supported by two cables as shown below. Find the tension
in each of the cables supporting the traffic light.
Solution 1
PARALLEL FORCES:

The forces whose line of action are parallel to each other are called parallel
forces
If the forces, having line of action parallel to each other, act in the same
direction, then the forces are called Like Parallel Forces.
If the forces, having line of action parallel to each other, act in the opposite
directions, they are called Unlike Parallel Forces.

RESULTANT OF PARALLEL FORCES:

The resultant of parallel force can be found by any of the following

methods:

1.Parallelogram law of forces method.

2.Moments method.
3.Graphical method.
1.Parallelogram law of forces method.
It states that if two concurrent forces, acting simultaneously on a body be
represented in magnitude and direction by the two sides of a parallelogram then
their resultant may be represented in magnitude and direction by the diagonal of
the parallelogram, drawn from the same point.
Practical Example of Parallel Forces

Parallel vertical forces acting on an

airplane in straight and level flight. Lift
from the main wing (Pz) is balanced by the
weight of the airplane (mg) and the down-
force on the horizontal stabilizer (Pzh).
General force system and spatial force system:

This system of forces is known as coplanar non- concurrent non-parallel force

system. Hence, in coplanar non-concurrent non-parallel system of forces, all
the forces act in the same plane but the forces are neither parallel nor meet at
a common point. This force system is also known as general system of
forces.

What is spatial force system?

A spatial force consists of two 3-vectors, a torque and a translational

force. a wrench is a specific kind of spatial force in which the torque
component is an r X f moment of the force component.
PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

1.A force system at the pin joint of a truss

THANK YOU

Submitted To – Dr. Lalitrao Amrutsagar