Lect.1-Equilibrium
Lect.1-Equilibrium
MaE 1063
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Necessary Conditions for the equilibrium of a rigid body
• If three forces are acting, then all three forces should pass through a common point, (Lami’s Theorem)
or the forces should be parallel.
If two rigid bodies are smoothly hinged then the hinge exerts equal and opposite forces on the members, and
cannot exert any couple on the bodies.
Two bodies connected by a rigid joint cannot move relative to each other without breaking the joint. In
addition to equal and opposite forces; equal and opposite couples are acting at the joint.
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Free-Body Diagram
A diagram of a body (or a part of it) which shows all the forces and couples applied on it, and which has all
the forces and couples labeled for use in the solution of the problem is called a free-body diagram.
Follow these steps to draw a free-body diagram.
1. Select the body (or part of a body) that you want to analyze, and draw it.
2. Identify all the forces and couples that are applied onto the body and draw them on the body.
3. Place each force and couple at the point that it is applied.
4. Label all the forces and couples with unique labels for use during the solution process.
5. Add any relevant dimensions onto your picture.
wall
= F2
R1
F1 F2=
= F1
= F3
F3 R3 Ground
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Worked Example I
The pulley and shaft shown in figure have a mass of 102kg and the tensions in the sides of the belt pressing
round the pulley are 2000N and 500N. Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant force on the
bearing.
Bearing reactions are V &H
Resolve the forces
→ 2000 + 500 cos 30 = H
H = 2433 N = 2.43kN
↑ 500 cos 60 + v = 102 x 9.81
V = 102 x 9.81 - 250
= 750.62N = 0.75kN
Bearing reaction = =
= 2.54 kN
tan θ =
= 170 8’ to Horizontal
Worked Example II
Determine the tension in the cable and the horizontal and vertical components of reaction of the pin A, if the
system shown in figure is in equilibrium. The pulley at D is frictionless and weight of the beam AC can be
neglected.
= T x 5 + T sin θ x 10 – 80 x15 = 0
T = 86.08 N
= Ax - T cos θ = 0
Horizontal component Ax = 38.49 N
= Ay + T + T sin θ - 80 = 0
Vertical component Ay = 83.07N
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