Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Module 2 Title: Resultant of Force Systems

Module Introduction/Rationale:

In this module, we will discuss the different types of force systems and the equations used on how
to solve the components and its resultant.

Module Outcomes:
CO1: Solve for the components and resultants of force, moment, and motion vectors;

Lesson 1 Title: Resultant of Concurrent Force System

Lesson Outcomes:
At the end of this topic the learner should be able to:
1. define force system
2. identify different classifications of force system
3. solve the resultant of concurrent force system

FORCE SYSTEM

It is an arrangement of two or more forces acting on a body or a group of related bodies.

Coplanar Force System – when the lines of action of all the forces in a force system lie in one plane.

F2 F3
F1

Note: from the figure all the three forces are acting on the same plane

Non-coplanar Force System – when the lines of action of all the forces in a force system lie in more than
one plane.
F2

F3

F1

Note: from the figure the each forces are acting on the different plane

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Classification of Force System According to their Line of Action

1. Concurrent Force System – those in which the lines of action pass through a common point.

Y
F2 F1

X
O

F3

Note: from the figure the each forces pass through a common point (point O)

2. Parallel Force System – those in which the lines of action are parallel (either along the X axis or
Y axis).

F1

F1 F2 F3 F4 F2

F3

F4

3. Non-Concurrent Force System – those in which the lines of action are neither parallel, nor
intersect in a common point.

F1

F3 F4 F2

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Scalar and Vector Quantities

Scalars are quantities which possess magnitude only and can be added arithmetically.

Vectors are quantities which possess direction as well as magnitude. Such quantities can be
combined by geometric addition only, called vector addition.

RESULTANT

The resultant of a system of forces is the minimum system of forces which will produce the same
effect as the original system. The minimum system may be: (a) a single force; (b) a pair of equal, opposite,
and parallel forces, called a couple; and (c) a single force and a couple.

The components of a force are two or more forces, which acting together, will produce the same
effect as the original force.

Y FX = the X component of force F

FY = the Y component of force F
FX F
FX = F cos ƟX
FY = F sin ƟX
FY
ƟX F=
tan Ɵx =
X

Sign Convention in solving for the Resultant

1. Force going rightward is positive
2. Force going leftward is negative
3. Force going upward is positive
4. Force going downward is negative

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Sample Problem:
1. Determine the components of the force given in the diagram.

150 lbs

35o

Solution: FX 150 lbs

FY
FX = F sin Ɵ
FX = 150 sin 35o = 86.04 lbs. answer 35o

FY = F cos Ɵ
FY = 150 cos 35o = 122.87 lbs. answer
X
FX

2. Determine the components of the force given in the diagram.

60 KN

2
3

Solution:
Y
Solve for the hypotenuse of 2 & 3 using
Pythagorean Theorem 60 KN FX
3
FX = F
13
2 13
3 FY
FX = (60) = 49.93 KN 3
13
answer X
2
FY = F
13
2
FY = (60) = 33.28 KN
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3. Determine the magnitude and the position of the resultant of the concurrent forces shown in the
figure.
Y

F1 = 35 KN

40o
X

4 60o
3 F3 = 90 KN
F2 = 70 KN

Solution:
Y
For F1:
FX = F cos Ɵ FY = F sin Ɵ F1 = 35 KN
FX
FX = 35 cos 40o = – 26.81 KN FY = 35 sin 40o = + 22.50 KN

For F2: FY
40o
3 4
FX = F FY = F X
5 5
FY
3 4
FX = (70) = – 42.00 KN FY = (70) = – 56.00 5
5 5 FY 4 60o
KN 3 FX F3 = 90 KN
F2 = 70 KN F
For F3: X
FX = F sin Ɵ FY = F sin Ɵ
FX = 90 sin 60o = + 77.94 KN FY = 90 cos 60o = – 45.00 KN

ΣFX = 0
RX = – 26.81 – 42.00 + 77.94 = + 9.13 KN rightward
Y
ΣFY = 0
RY = + 22.50 – 56.00 – 45.00 = – 78.50 KN downward

R = RX2 + RY2 = (9.13) 2 + (78.50) 2

R = 79.03 KN magnitude of the Resultant answer

X
o
FY 78.50 ƟX = 83.37
tan Ɵx = =
FX 9.13 RY

Ɵx = 83.37o position of the resultant answer

RX R = 79.03 KN

Note: the Resultant R is facing downward with an angle of 83.37 o

along the X-axis and located at the fourth quadrant
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4. Determine the value of force P and angle Ɵ if the resultant R = 87.32 KN is facing upward with an angle
of 13.24o along the X-axis and located at the first quadrant.
Y

30 KN Ɵ
X
60o

Solution: 40 KN

For P:
FX = + P cos Ɵ FY = + P sin Ɵ Y

For 30 KN:
FX = – 30 KN FY = 0 P
For 40 KN:
FX = 40 cos 60o FY = – 40 sin 60o 30 KN Ɵ
X
FX = + 20 KN FY = – 34.64 KN o
60
RX = 87.32 cos 13.24o = + 85 KN
RY = 87.32 sin 13.24o = + 20 KN
40 KN
ΣFX = 0
RX = P cos Ɵ – 30 + 20 85 = P cos Ɵ – 10
P cos Ɵ = 95
95 Y
P= equation 1
cos θ

ΣFY = 0 RX
R = 87.32 KN
RY = + P sin Ɵ – 34.64 20 = + P sin Ɵ – 34.64
P sin Ɵ = 54.64 RY
54.64
ƟX = 13.24o
P= equation 2 X
sin θ

Equate 1 = 2
95 54.64 sin θ 54.64
= =
cos θ sin θ cos θ 95

54.64
tan Ɵ = Ɵ = 29.91o answer
95

go back in equation 1 or equation 2 to get the value of P

95 95
P= = = 109.60 KN answer
cos θ cos 29.91 o

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5. Determine the magnitude and the position of the resultant of the concurrent forces shown in the
figure.

W= 60 KN Y W= 60 KN
400 X
P= 90 KN P= 90 KN
250 250

400
0
40 400
150 F= 80 KN 150 F= 80 KN

Solution: Free Body Diagram (FBD):

ΣFX = 0 Y
RX = – W sin40o + P cos65o – F sin15o P= 90 KN W= 60 KN
RX = – 60 sin40o + 90 cos65o – 80 sin15o 0
40
RX = – 21.24 KN leftward

ΣFY = 0 400 + 25o = 65o

RY = – W cos40o – P sin65o + F cos15o X
RY = – 60 cos40o – 90 sin65o + 80 cos15o
RY = – 50.26 KN downward

150
F= 80 KN
R = R X 2 + R Y 2 = (21.24)2 + (50.26)2
R = 54.56 KN magnitude of the Resultant answer

In solving for Ɵx , disregard the negative signs in RX and RY

Y
FY 50.26
tan Ɵx = =
FX 21.24
Ɵx = 67.09o position of the resultant answer

X
Note: the Resultant R is facing downward with an angle of
67.09 o along the X-axis and located at the third ƟX = 67.090
quadrant

R = 54.56 KN

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Lesson 2 Title: Moment of a Force

Lesson Outcomes:
At the end of this topic the learner should be able to:
1. define moment of a force about a point
2. apply the principle of moments
3. solve the moment of a force about a point

MOMENT OF A FORCE ABOUT A POINT

Moment of a force about a point is the tendency of a force to rotate a body.

M=Fxd

Where: M = moment of a force (KN-m, N-mm, N-m, lbs-in, lbs-ft)

F = applied force (KN, N, lbs)
d = moment arm (m, mm, in, ft)
d = perpendicular distance from the moment center to the line of action
of the force

Principle of Moments (Varignon’s Theorem)

The moment of a force about a point is equal to the sum of the moments of its
components about a point.

Sign Convention

Clockwise direction is positive +

Counterclockwise direction is negative

–

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Sample Problem:
1. Determine the moment of a force about point O.

FY
F = 80 N
F = 80 N
o
30
30o
FX
50 mm
O 50 mm
O

125 mm
125 mm

Solution:

Solve for the components of force F

FX = 80 cos 30o = 69.28 N

FY = 80 sin 30o = 40 N

Note: no need to provide negative sign in solving for the

component of force
FY

Take a moment at point O F = 80 N

ΣMO = 0

MO = FX (distance Y) – FY (distance X) FX
MO = FX (50 mm) – FY (125 mm) 50 mm
MO = (69.28 N)(50 mm) – (40 N)(125 mm) O
MO = – 1536 N-mm answer

125 mm
Note: moment at point O is counter clockwise because of the
negative sign

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

2. Determine the moment of a force about point O.

FY
F = 50 KN
F = 50 KN
3 13
3
2
2 FX
1.50 m
1.50 m
O
O

3.25 m
3.25 m

Solution:

Solve for the components of force F

2
FX = 50 = 27.74 KN
13
3 FY
FY = 50 = 41.60 KN
13 F = 20 KN

Note: no need to provide negative sign in solving for the

component of force FX

Take a moment at point O 1.50 m

ΣMO = 0 O

MO = FY (distance X) – FX (distance Y)
MO = FY (3.25 m) – Fx (1.50 m)
MO = (41.60 KN)(3.25 m) – (27.74 KN)(1.50 m)
3.25 m
MO = + 93.59 KN-m answer

Note: moment at point O is clockwise because of the positive

sign

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

3. Determine the moment of a force about point O.

80 N 300 mm
200 mm 100 N

30o 40o

Solution:

Solve for distance X

X = 300 cos 400
80 N 300 mm
X = 229.81 mm 200 mm 100 N
Solve for distance Y distance Y
Y = 200 sin 300
30o 40o
Y = 100 mm

Take a moment at point O distance X

ΣMO = 0

MO = 100 N (distance X) – 80 N (distance Y)

MO = 100 N (229.81 mm) – 80 N (100 mm)
MO = + 14,981 N-mm answer

Note: moment at point O is clockwise because of the positive

sign

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Lesson 3 Title: Resultant of Parallel System

Lesson Outcomes:
At the end of this topic the learner should be able to:
1. determine the equations used in parallel force system
4. compute the magnitude of the resultant
5. solve the location of the resultant

RESULTANT OF PARALLEL FORCE SYSTEM

For a system of parallel forces, the magnitude of the resulatant is the algebraic sum of the forces.
The location of the resultant is obtained by taking moments about a convenient point.

ΣFX = 0 or ΣFY = 0
ΣM = 0 ΣM = 0

For Rectangular Load

WL

W = uniformly distributed load

L = length

½ L ½ L

For Triangular Load

½ WL

W = uniformly varying load

L = length

2/3 L 1/3 L

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Sample Problem:
1. From the given loaded beam shown in the figure, determine the magnitude and position of the
resultant.
30 KN 50 KN 20 KN 40 KN

A B

2.0 m 3.0 m 2.0 m 4.0 m 1.0 m

Solution:

ΣFY = 0 Upward is (+) Downward (–)

R = – 30 KN – 50 KN + 20 KN – 40 KN
R = – 100 KN
R = 100 KN ↓ answer

Take a moment at point A

ΣMA = 0
MA = 30 KN (2 m) + 50 KN (5 m) – 20 KN (7 m) + 40 KN (11 m)
MA = 610 KN-m
MA = R (dA)
610 = (100) dA
dA = + 6.10 m answer
positive distance means to the right of point A

Other solution
Take a moment at point B
ΣMB = 0
MB = – 30 KN (10 m) – 50 KN (7 m) + 20 KN (5 m) – 40 KN (1 m)
MB = – 590 KN-m
MB = R (dB)
– 590 = (100) dB
DB = – 5.90 m answer
negative distance means to the left of point B

R = 100 KN

A B

dA = 6.10 m dB = 5.90 m

Check:
dA + dB = 2 m + 3 m + 2 m + 4 m + 1 m
6.10 m + 5.90 m = 12 m
12 m = 12 m  ok

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

2. From the given loaded beam shown in the figure, determine the magnitude and position of the
resultant.
14 KN
18 KN/m
16 KN/m

A B

3.0 m 1.0 m 7.0 m

Solution:
14 KN
18 KN/m
ΣFY = 0 Upward is (+) Downward (–)
R = – (16 KN/m)(4 m) – 14 KN – (1/2)(18 KN/m)(7 m) 16 KN/m
R = – 141 KN
R = 141 KN ↓ answer A B

Take a moment at point A

ΣMA = 0 3.0 m 1.0 m 7.0 m
MA = (16)(4)(2 m ) + (14)(3 m ) + (1/2)(18)(7)(6.33 m )
MA = 568.79 KN-m
MA = R (dA) ½ (4 m) = 2 m
568.79 = (141) dA
dA = + 4.03 m answer
positive distance means to the right of point A
(1/3)(7 m) + 1 m + 3 m = 6.33 m

Other solution 14 KN
18 KN/m
Take a moment at point B
ΣMB = 0 16 KN/m
MB = – (16)(4)(9 m) – 14(8 m) – (1/2)(18)(7)(4.67 m)
MB = – 982.21 KN-m A B
MB = R (dB)
– 982.21 = (141) dB
DB = – 6.97 m answer 3.0 m 1.0 m 7.0 m
negative distance means to the left of point B
(2/3)(7 m) = 4.67 m
R = 141 KN

(1/2)(4 m) + 7 m = 9 m
A B

dA = 4.03 m dB = 6.97 m

Check:
dA + d B = 3 m + 1 m + 7 m
4.03 m + 6.97 m = 11 m
11 m = 11 m  ok

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Problem Set No: 1 (Module 2)

1. Determine the magnitude and direction of the given concurrent force system shown in the figure.

Y
80 N 50 N
300
4
3
X
200
90 N

2. Determine the value of force P and angle θ if the resultant R = 199.68 N is facing upward with an angle
of 75.35o along the X-axis and located at the second quadrant.
Y
95 N P
20 0 ϴ

78 N X

3. The resultant of the concurrent forces shown in the figure is 300 lbs pointing upward along the Y-axis.
Compute the value of F and θ required to give this resultant.
Y
F

ϴ
500 lbs X
0
30

240 lbs
4. Determine the magnitude and the position of the resultant of the concurrent forces shown in the
figure.
W= 50 KN

P= 80 KN
200

300
100 F= 70 KN

5. Determine the value of force P and the resultant R if R is acting upward parallel to the inclined plane.

W= 200 lbs

Q= 600 lbs

300
150 P

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6. Determine the magnitude of the force P if the moment with respect to point O is -14548.80 N-mm.

7. Determine the moment of the 200-N force about point B if  = 600.

8. Determine the moment with respect to point O.

3
4
100 N
12 O 600
5 300

40 N

125 mm 50 mm 90 mm
mm
9. Determine the moment of a force at point A, B and C.
1m
F= 25 KN
1m A

C
B

10. Determine the moment at point “O”.

50 N
20 N
375 mm
O

550 mm

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

11. Determine the magnitude of the resultant and its position with respect to point A and B.
16 KN
24 KN/m
12 KN/m

A B

6.0 m 4.0 m

12. Determine the value of F and P if the resultant is 40 KN facing downward 4.50 m from point A.
15 KN
10 KN/m F P

A B
4m 2m 2m 3m

13. From the loaded beam shown in the figure below, determine the magnitude and position of the
resultant with respect to point A and B.
12 KN/m
10 KN
5 KN/m

A B
1m 1m 6m 6m

14. From the loaded beam shown in the figure below, determine the magnitude and position of the
resultant with respect to point A and B.
30 KN
20 KN/m

10 KN/m

A B

6.0 m 4.0 m 1.0 m

15. Determine the reactions at the supports of the loaded beam shown in the figure.

30 KN/m 15 KN
25 KN/m

A B

6.0 m 2.0 m 5.0 m

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