STATICS OF RIGID
BODIES
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
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1 BRIEF BACKGROUND
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Statics of rigid bodies is a fundamental branch of engineering mechanics that
focuses on the analysis of forces and their effects on objects that do not
deform under load. It deals with bodies in equilibrium, meaning they remain at
rest or move with constant velocity when subjected to external forces. The key
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
principles include understanding force systems, equilibrium conditions where
the sum of all forces and moments is zero, and the use of free-body diagrams
to visualize and analyze forces. Additionally, it involves identifying different
types of supports and reaction forces in structures. This topic is crucial in
fields such as structural and mechanical engineering, where ensuring stability
and balance in systems is essential.
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1 OBJECTIVE OF THIS TOPIC
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
At the of this topic, the students will be able to:
• Identify the branch of Mechanics
• Differentiate Statics to Dynamics
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
• Explain the force system
• Understand Vectors
• Solve force system problems
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1 TOPIC OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
For this topic, It will discuss the following:
1. Branches of Mechanics
2. Force System
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
3. Vectors
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1 1. BRANCHES OF MECHANICS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 1. BRANCHES OF MECHANICS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Solid Mechanics - the mass of the body has parts that are assumed to
be fixed in position relative to one another under the action of forces.
Fluid Mechanics - is a study of gases and liquids at rest or in motions.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
Fluids are treated as ideal, viscous or compressible. Hydrostatics is a
study of forces cause by water at rest; hydrodynamics is a study of forces
caused by water in motion.
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1 1. BRANCHES OF MECHANICS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Statics - Is branches of solid mechanics dealing with rigid solids that are
remain at rest
Dynamics - the branch of mechanics dealing with solid that are in motion
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 1. BRANCHES OF MECHANICS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Kinetics – is concerned with the motion of bodies and the forces causing
such motion.
Kinematics – is concerned with the motion of bodies without reference
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to cause.
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Forces and Characteristics
Forces – action of one body upon another
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Three Important Characteristics of Forces
A. Magnitude (Forces is expressed in neutron (N) (kN) (Nm) )
B. Position or point of application
C. Sense of direction
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Forces are classified in accordance with the nature of concentration
A. Static Force – Bodies at rest
B. Dynamic Force – Bodies in motion
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C. Impact Force – are associated with usually very high and suddenly
applied dynamics forces.
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Forces can also be classified as
A. Stationary Load – do not change their point of application
B. Moving Load – Those due to vehicular wheel loads on check of
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bridge structures.
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Kinds of Loads (Concentrated and Distributed Forces)
A. Concentrated load
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
B. Uniform distributed load
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Kinds of Loads (Concentrated and Distributed Forces)
C. Variable distributed load (Triangular)
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D. Variable distributed load (Trapezoidal)
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
External and Internal Effects of Forces.
A. External Effect – is manifested in or a tendency to change. The state of
motion of the body upon which the force acts.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
B. Internal Effect – to produce stresses and strains within the body acted upon.
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
A force system is a set of two or more coplanar or spatial forces (and
forces couples) that may or may not be equilibrium. Whether the forces
are coplanar or spatial, there are basically three forces system in each
category and are characterized by the position and direction of the forces
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in the system
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
A RESULTANT of force system is a single force, or a couple force which
acting alone, will produce the same affected as the force system. The
process of determining the resultant of a force system is referred to as
composition of forces.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
The EQUILIBRANT of a force system is a single force or a force couple
which if and when added to the force system. The equilibrant is thus
equal to collinear. But opposite in direction which the resultant.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
The EQUILIBRIUM is a condition when the resultant of the force system is
equal to zero. This implies that the forces in the system balance or
neutralized each other. A body acted upon by a system of forces in
equilibrium is better at rest or moving in a straight line. At constant
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
velocity and continues to do so until acted upon by another forces
system that alters the magnitude and direction of the resultant.
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Concurrent
Parallel
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Coplanar
Non-
Concurrent
Non-Parallel
Force System
Concurrent
Parallel
Spatial
Non-
Concurrent
Non-Parallel
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Coplanar Force System - lines of action of forces are on the same plane.
Point ofApplication
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
OBJECT Line of Action
Concurrent Coplanar Force
Non-Concurrent Coplanar Force Parallel Coplanar Force System
System
System
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1 2. FORCE SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Non-Coplanar Force System - lines of action of forces are not on the
same plane.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
z
z z
y
y y
x
Concurrent Non-Coplanar Force x x
Non-Concurrent Non- Parallel Non-Coplanar
System
Coplanar Force System Force System
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1 3. VECTORS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
VECTOR is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction. It is
typically represented by an arrow whose direction is the same as that of
the quantity and whose length is proportional to the quantity's
magnitude.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 3. VECTORS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
VECTOR QUANTITIES refer to the physical quantities characterized by
the presence of both magnitude as well as direction. For example,
displacement, force, torque, momentum, acceleration, velocity, etc.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 3. VECTORS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
MOMENT OF A FORCE is the product of force and the perpendicular
distance of its line of action to references point or axis the turning
effect.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 3. VECTORS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Vector addition is a fundamental concept in physics and engineering used to
combine two or more vectors to determine their resultant. Since vectors have
both magnitude and direction, their addition follows specific rules depending
on their orientation.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
There are two primary methods of vector addition:
Graphical Method – This includes:
• Tip-to-Tail Method: Placing the tail of one vector at the tip of another and
drawing the resultant from the start of the first vector to the end of the last.
• Parallelogram Method: Drawing both vectors from the same origin and
completing a parallelogram, with the diagonal representing the resultant
vector.
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1 3. VECTORS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Analytical Method – This involves breaking vectors into components along the
x- and y-axes and using algebraic addition:
1.Rx=Ax+Bx and Ry=Ay+By, where Rx and Ry are the components of the
resultant.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
2.The magnitude of the resultant is found using Pythagorean theorem:
𝑅= 𝑅!" + 𝑅#"
3. The direction (angle θ) is determined using
$%
𝑅#
tan =𝜃
𝑅!
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1 SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Figure Shows two position vectors, the magnitude in which are A= 60 meters
and B = 100 meters (A position vector is a vector drawn between two points in
space). Determine the resultant R= A+B using the following methods:
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant of the force system
shown.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 SAMPLE PROBLEM 3
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
The vertical force F acts on the two membered frame, determine the magnitude
of the components of F directed along the axes of AB and AC.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
Two forces act on the hook. Determine the magnitude of the resultant force
using Triangle Law
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
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1 SUMMARY / KEY TAKEAWAYS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
• Statics deals with bodies at rest or in uniform motion under applied forces.
• Equilibrium conditions: The sum of forces and moments must be zero
• Force systems can be classified by their application and effect (coplanar,
non-coplanar, concurrent, non-concurrent).
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• Vectors represent physical quantities with magnitude and direction, and
their operations (addition, resolution) are crucial in force analysis.
• Moments and torque describe the rotational effects of forces.
• Practical applications include structural stability, mechanical system
analysis, and load distribution.
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1 DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
1. The plate is subjected to the two forces at A and B as
shown. If θ = 60°, determine the magnitude of the
resultant of these two forces and its direction measured
clockwise from the horizontal.
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
2. Two forces P and Q act on a bolt A. Determine their
resultant.
3. Two tugboats are pulling a barge. If the resultant of the
forces exerted by the tugboats is a 5000-lb force directed
along the axis of the barge, determine (a) the tension in
each of the ropes, given that α = 45°, (b) the value of α for
which the tension in rope 2 is a minimum.
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1 FURTHER READINGS
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
• Vector Mechanics by Beer and Johnston
• Engineering Mechanics by Ferdinand Singer
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1
INTRODUCTION TO STATICS
END OF MODULE 033
STATICS OF RIGID BODIES
END
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