Lesson 3

Static Force Analysis

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 Static Force Analysis …

In static force analysis, of the forces acting

on the machine members at a particular
configuration:
➢ Each configuration is considered as
system of rigid bodies in static
equilibrium under the action of external
forces.
➢ Load carried by each part of the
machine during cycle of its operation is
determined in this way by using static
equilibrium equations.

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 Static Force Analysis …
Condition for static equilibrium Equations for
static equilibrium
F1
F2

Machine part …
෍ 𝐹𝑖 = 0
F5 CG

෍ 𝑀𝑖 = 0
F4 F3

(Multi-force member easiest method if only the input force

is required)

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 Static Force Analysis …
Equilibrium of two force and three force members
A Two force
➢ Two force member in equilibrium
member is a body
that has 2 forces
(only forces/no
moments) acting
on it in 2
locations).

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 Static Force Analysis …
➢ Three force member in equilibrium
If three non
parallel forces
(only forces/no
moments) act on
a body in
equilibrium, it is
known as a three
force member.

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 Static Force Analysis …

Free-Body Diagram (FBD) for a Link

▪ FBD: A diagram of a link with all forces and

moments (external and internal) applied to it.
▪ Under the action of these forces (static and inertial)
and moments, the link must be in equilibrium.

𝑛 𝑚

෍ 𝐹𝑖 = 0 ෍ 𝑀𝑗 = 0
𝑖=1 𝑗=1

➢ These equations result in relationships between the

known and unknown forces for a single link.

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 Static Force Analysis … FBD of
Link 2
Static force analysis in slider-crank mechanism C12
Example I: Sketch Free- A F32
Body Diagram (FBD) for 2
a Link (ignore inertial F12
forces) 3 2
4
P O2
B 1
F23
FBD of
Link 3 A
F34 3
4
P B F34
F14
FBD of
F43 Develop  F = ma
x x

F14
Link 4 equilibrium
equations and
 F = ma
y y
P
find unknowns M = I  g g

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 Static Force Analysis …
Static force analysis in 4-bar mechanism
Example II: Sketch Free-Body Diagram (FBD) for a F43
Link (ignore inertial forces) 3
3 B
A
C F23 Develop  F = ma
x x
4
2 P equilibrium
equations and
 F = ma
y y

find unknowns M = I g g

F34 O
O2 O4
F32 h
C12 F14 F14
P
F12 4
O2
P F34
C12 = F32 . h

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 Static Force Analysis …
Static force analysis in 6-bar mechanism

P 6
O2
5
C B
6
3 P
F56
2 A C 5

Example III: O2
Sketch Free- F16 Develop
4
Body Diagram equilibrium
(FBD) for a 1 equations and
Link (ignore find unknowns
inertial forces)
P  F = ma
x x

F56 F16  F = ma
y y

M = I  g g
O4

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 Static Force Analysis …
Static force analysis in 6-bar mechanism (continued)
F65
5
O F45
F54

F54
F14
F34
3
F43
3
4
F23

F32
A
2
C12
O2 F12

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 Lesson 3 Revision Problems

1) Define the following terms: (a) two-force member, (b)

three-force member, (c) free-body diagram.
2) Describe the static force analysis approach.
3) For the crank-slider mechanism shown below (a) sketch
free-body diagram of the slider, (b) determine the
normal force on the slider if the angle between the
ground and the coupler is 20o.
A

3 2

200N 4
O2
B 1

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ME 41 - Dynamics of Machines
 End…

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