Chapter 1 • Introduction – Forces, Equilibrium | 3.
6. Like parallel and unlike parallel force systems: In indicate the point of application of the force. Note that
a like parallel force system (Figure (a)), the lines of all the forces involved must be represented consistently
action, of the entire constituting forces, are parallel to as shown in figures below.
each other and act in the same direction. In an unlike
parallel force system (figure), the lines of action, of
the entire constituting forces, are parallel to each
other where some of them act in different directions. 30° 30°
0
y 0
F1
F2
F3
F4
(a) (b)
x Resolution of a Force into a Force
and a Couple
z
A given force ‘P’ applied to a body at any point ‘A’ can
always be replaced by an equal force applied at another
System of Forces point ‘B’ together with a couple which will be statically
Force System Examples equivalent to the original force. To prove this let the given
force ‘P’ act at ‘A’ as shown below. Then at B, we introduce
1. Collinear Forces on a rope in a tug of war
two oppositely directed collinear forces each of magnitude
2. Coplanar parallel System of forces acting on a beam ‘P’ and parallel to the line of action of the given force P at A.
subjected to vertical loads including
reactions. P P
3. Coplanar like Weight of a stationary train on the A A
parallel rail when track straight. P
P a
4. Coplanar Forces of a rod resting against a
concurrent wall. B
P
5. Coplanar, Forces on a ladder resting against
non–concurrent a wall when a person stands on a
forces (ii) (b) rung which is not at its centre of (a) (b) (c)
gravity.
It follows from the law of superposition that the system
6. Non–coplanar The weight of the benches
in figure (b) is statically equivalent to that in figure (a).
parallel in a classroom
However, we may now regard the original force P at ‘A’ and
7. Non–coplanar Forces on a tripod carrying
concurrent
the oppositely directed force ‘P’ at B as a couple of moment
forces (II) (b) M = Pa. Since this couple may now be transformed in any
8. Non–coplanar Forces acting on a moving bus.
manner in its plane of action so long as its moment remains
non–concurrent unchanged, we may finally represent the system as shown
forces (iv) in the figure (c), where the couple is simply indicated by a
curved arrow and the magnitude of its moment. It will be
NOTE noted that the moment of the couple introduced in the above
manner will always be equal to the product of the origi-
Force systems can also be classified, according to the nal force ‘P’ and the arbitrary distance ‘a’ that we decide
magnitude of the constituting forces as: (a) System of to move its line of action. This resolution of a force into a
equal forces—all the constituting forces has the same force and couple is very useful in many problems of statics.
magnitude; (b) System of unequal forces—all the
constituting forces do not have the same magnitude.
Resultant of a System
7. Representation of a force: Graphically, a force may
be represented by the segment of a straight line with
of Coplanar Forces
arrow head at one end of the line segment. The straight Parallelogram Law of Forces
line represents the line of action of the force 1 kN When two concurrent forces P and Q are represented in
and its length represents its magnitude. The direction magnitude and direction by the two adjacent sides of a par-
of force is indicated by placing an arrow head on this allelogram as shown in fig., the diagonal of the parallelo-
straight line. The arrow head at one end of the straight gram concurrent with the two forces, P and Q represents the
line segment indicate the direction of the force along resultant R of the forces in magnitude and direction.
the line segment. Either the head or tail may be used to
