Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Chapter 4: Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies:

The external forces acting on a rigid body is reduced to a force-couple system

M OR
F1
F4
R
O
= O
F2

F3

The rigid body is said to be in equilibrium, if R = 0 and M = 0 R

O

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

For a rigid body in equilibrium, F =0

Μ = 0 O

Resolving each force and each moment into rectangular components,

F =0 F
x y =0 F =0 z These are called
M = 0 M x y =0 M = 0 z
Equations of Equilibrium

To write the Equations of Equilibrium for a rigid body:

1. Identify all the forces acting on the body
2. Draw the corresponding free body diagram
3. In FBD, consider the reactions exerted on the structure

When the equations are formed, solve for unknown forces and reactions.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Drawing Free Body Diagram:

The following steps must have to be followed:

❑ The rigid body should be isolated from the ground and separated from
all other bodies

❑ All the external forces should be indicated. Remember that the forces
shown on FBD must be those which are exerted on, and not by, the
free body

❑ The magnitude and directions of the known forces should be marked

❑ Unknown external forces should be indicated with appropriate symbol.

Usually the reactions, exerted on the body, are unknown forces

❑ The FBD should include all dimensions which are needed in

computations of moments of forces
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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Reactions at Supports and Connections:

The reactions are needed to maintain the structure in the same position.
1. Reactions equivalent to a Force with Known Line of Action :
❑ One Unknown → Magnitude of the reaction force

Supports and Connections FBD

Frictionless Reaction
Rollers Rocker
Surface Force

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Supports and Connections FBD

Reaction
Short Cable Short Link
Force

90O

Reaction
Collar on Frictionless Force
Frictionless Rod Pin in Slot

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

2. Reactions equivalent to a Force of Unknown Direction and Magnitude :

❑ Two Unknown → Direction and Magnitude of the reaction force
❑ The reactions prevent translation of the free body in all direction
❑ But they cannot prevent the body from rotation about the connection

Supports and Connections FBD

or

Pin or hinge connection Rough Surface α

Reaction Forces

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

3. Reactions equivalent to a Force and a Couple :

❑ Three Unknown → Direction and Magnitude of the reaction force
and the couple
❑ The reactions prevent any motion of the free body

Supports and Connections FBD

or

α
Fixed Support
Reaction Forces
and Couple

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Equilibrium of a Rigid Body in Two Dimensions: y

F =0 F
x y =0 F =0 z

M = 0 M
x y =0 M = 0 z
A

M A

Therefore, F x =0 F y =0 M A =0
O x
Here, A is any point of the rigid body
Thus, maximum three unknowns can be solved with these three equations
B B
Bx

A W
A Ax
Figure: Rod AB is pinned and Ay
supported by frictionless wall Figure: FBD of Rod AB
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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

P Q P Q
C D C D

A B B
Ax
A
Ay W By
Figure: Truss ABCD is hinged at A Figure: FBD of Truss ABCD
and roller supported at B

A A
Ax
MA
W
Ay
Figure: Cantilever Beam Figure: FBD of Cantilever Beam

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Chapter 4 Edited by Dr. Mostafizur Rahman, Assistant Professor, Dept. of ME 12

 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

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Statically Determinate Reactions/Completely constrained:

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Statically Indeterminate Reactions:

P Q P Q
C D C D

A B Ax Bx
A B
Ay W By
Figure: Truss ABCD is hinged at Figure: FBD of Truss ABCD
both A and B

❑ These supports provide more constraint than are necessary

❑ Such condition is said to be statically indeterminate

❑ The forth reaction could be determined from the deformation produced

that belongs to the study of Mechanics of Materials
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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Partially Constrained:
P Q P Q
C D C D

A B A B

Ay W By
Figure: Truss ABCD is roller
Figure: FBD of Truss ABCD
supported at both A and B

❑ The supports are not sufficient to keep the truss from moving

❑ The truss is said to be partially constrained problem

❑ The unknowns are fewer than equations of equilibrium

❑ However, it is not always true that partially constrained system are not
in equilibrium
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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Improperly Constrained:

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 1

FBD

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 2
Knowing that the tension in wire BD is 1300 N, determine the reaction at the
fixed support C of the frame as shown.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 3
Bar AC supports two 400 N loads as shown. Rollers at A and C rest against
frictionless surfaces and a cable BD is attached at B. Determine (a) the tension in
cable BD, (b) the reaction at A, (c) the reaction at C.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 4
A 50 kg crate is attached to the trolley-beam system as shown.
Knowing that a =1.5 m, determine (a) the tension in cable CD, (b)
the reaction at B

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 5
A load of lumber of weight W=25 kN is being raised by a mobile crane. The weight of
boom ABC and the combined weight of the truck and driver are as shown. Determine
the reaction at each of the two (a) front wheels H, (b) rear wheels K. Knowing that the
tension is 25 kN in all portions of cable AEF and that the weight of boom ABC is 3 kN,
determine (c) the tension in rod CD, (d) the reaction at pin B.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 6
Beam AD carries the two 40 lb loads as shown. The beam is held by a fixed
support at D and by the cable BE that is attached to the counterweight W.
Determine the reaction at D when (i) W = 100 lb, (ii) W = 90 lb.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 7
The rig consists of a 1200 lb horizontal member ABC and a vertical member
DBE welded together at B. The rig is being used to raise a 3600 lb crate at a
distance x =12 ft from the vertical member DBE. If the tension in the cable is 4
kips, determine the reaction at E, assuming that the cable is (a) anchored at F as
shown in fig, (b) attached to the vertical member at a point located 1 ft above E.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 8
Two links AB and DE are connected by a bell crack as shown. Knowing
that the tension in link AB is 720 N, determine (a) the tension in link DE,
(b) the reaction at C.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 9
Determine the components of reaction at the fixed support at A. Neglect the
weight of the beam.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 10

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Example 11

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 12
The pin at A, which connects the 200 kg steel beam with center of gravity at G to
the vertical member, is welded both to the beam and to the column. To test the
weld, the 80 kg man loads the beam by exerting a 300 N force on the rope which
passes through a hole in the beam as shown. Determine the components of
reaction by the pin at A.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Equilibrium of a Two-Force Body

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Equilibrium of a Three-Force Body

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 13

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Example 14
Determine the magnitude T of the tension in the supporting cable and the
magnitude of the force on the pin at A for the jib crane as shown. The beam AB is
a standard 0.5 m I-beam with a mass of 95 kg per meter of length.

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Equilibrium in Three Dimensions

Rigid-body Equilibrium in Three Dimensions

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Reactions for Three Dimensional Structures

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 15
A small winch is used to raise a 120 lb load. Find (a) the magnitude of the
vertical force P that should be applied at C to maintain equilibrium in the
position shown, (b) the reactions at A and B, assuming that the bearing at B does
not exert any axial thrust.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 16
The 6 m pole ABC is acted upon by a 455 N force as shown. The pole is held by
a ball-and-socket joint at A and by two cables BD and BE. Determine the tension
in each and the reaction at A, when a = 3 m.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 17
A vertical force P on the foot pedal of the bell crack is required to produce a
tension T of 400 N in the vertical control rod. Determine the corresponding
bearing reactions at A and B.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 18
Determine the components of reactions at the fixed support at A. The 400 N,
500 N, and 600 N forces are parallel to the x, y, and z axes, respectively.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 19
Due to an unequal distribution of fuel in the wing tanks, the centers of gravity
for the airplane fuselage A and wings B and C are located as shown. If these
components have weights WA= 45000 lb, WB= 8000 lb, and WC= 6000 lb,
determine the normal reactions of the wheels D, E, and F on the ground.

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 Level – 2/Term – I ME 231 Engineering Mechanics – I (Statics)

Example 20
The boom OA is used to support the 75 lb flowerpot as shown in Fig. Determine
the tension developed in wires AB and AC to support the flowerpot.

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