Statics

(MCB 1053)
W03L1

TOC
AOB
week 3 outlook
Chapter 3: Particle Equilibrium

Copyright 2010 Pearson. (adapted by AAW)

AOB
Week 2 Assignment:
F2-18, 2-83, 2-91, 2-99, F2-29, 2-120, 2-139

Week 3 Assignment:
3-15, 3-29, 3-42, P3-2, 3-47, 3-53, 3-78

Test1:
11-11:50am, Wednesday Oct 24th, Test Room Block N
Chapters 2-5, CBCN.
Arranged seating (seating arrangement to be posted outside test
room)
Bring your own pen/pencil, eraser, calculator, ruler. Paper will be
provided. No borrowing, no cellphones other restrictions apply

Week 3 outlook
Chapter 3
particle equilibrium
free body diagram
coplanar force systems
3D force systems

Chapter Objectives
to introduce concept of Free-Body Diagram for a particle
to solve particle equilibrium problems using Equations of
Equilibrium
todays lecture: coplanar force systems

Particle Equilibrium
Particle is at equilibrium if:
at rest
moving at a constant velocity in a straight line

Newtons first law of motion

!F = 0
where !F is the vector sum of all the forces acting on the particle

Free Body Diagram

best representation of all the unknown forces (!F) which acts on
a body
a sketch showing the particle free from the surroundings with all
the forces acting on it

Free Body Diagram

Procedure:
1. draw outlined shape

isolate particle from its surroundings

2. show all the forces

indicate all the forces

active forces: set the particle in motion
reactive forces: result of constraints and supports that tend to
prevent motion

3. identify each force

known forces should be labeled with proper magnitude and

direction
letters are used to represent magnitude and directions of unknown
forces
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FBD Examples

FBD Examples

Coplanar Force Systems

for a particle subjected to coplanar forces in the x-y plane
resolve into i and j components
for equilibrium

!Fx = 0
!Fy = 0

Scalar equations of equilibrium

require the algebraic sum of the
x and y components to equal zero
sense of direction = algebraic sign corresponding to the arrowhead
direction
for unknown magnitude, assume arrowhead sense of the force
if the scalar is negative, the force is acting in the opposite direction
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PF3-2
The beam has a weight of 3.5kN. Determine the shortest cable
ABC that can be used to lift it if the maximum force the cable can
sustain is 7.5kN.

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P3-7
The towing pendant AB is subjected to a force of 50kN exerted
by a tugboat. Determine the force in each of the bridles, BC and
BD, if the ship is moving forward with constant velocity.

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