ENGINEERING MECHANICS STATIC

2-1 SOLUTION METHODS:

Solutions to the problems of statics may be obtained in one or more of the
following ways:

1. Graphical Solution:
By drowning all the force act on the body with a specific scale. We can find the
equivalent force (resultant) by close the force system.

Ex 3
Combine the two forces P and T, which act on the fixed structure at B, into a
single equivalent force R.

Sol

R =524 Ib
ș °

2. Algebraic Solution:
We obtain mathematical solution by hand, using one or more of three theorems
to get the solution. These theorem are :-
Pythagorean Theorem: R 
a
 
b

R a b
2 2 2 __________________
Eq 3

Note: one of the three angles most be 90°.

R
T  E D 180 ___________ Eq 4

Asst. lecturer Sarmed A. Salih Page 6

 ENGINEERING MECHANICS STATIC

Law of sines:
In any triangle, the length of side to the sine of the opposite angles is
constant, then
R a b ____________
sin T sin D sin E Eq 4

Law of cosines:

R a  b  2uaubucos T
2 2 2

or

b
2
R
2
 a
2
 2u Ruaucos E _____ Eq 5
or

a R  b  2u Rubucos D
2 2 2

Ex 4
For the forces F1 and F2 act on the bracket as shown in the figure. Determine the
magnitude of the resultant of the two forces and its direction.

Sol
q
F F  F  2 u F u F u cos130
2 2 2
1 2 1 2

F 80  100  2 u 40 u 100 u cos130

2 2 2 q

F 26699.56
2

F 163.4 N
using the law of sines for the lower triangle, we have
163.4 100
sin 130 sinD  20
q q

sinD  20 0.4688
q

D  20 sin 0.4688 1

D  20 27.956
D 27.956 20 7.956
q

See examples 4, 5, 6, and 7 page (15)

Asst. lecturer Sarmed A. Salih Page 7
 ENGINEERING MECHANICS STATIC

Ex 5

The forces F1, F2, and F3, all of which act on point A of the bracket are specified in
three different ways. Determine the resultant and its direction.

1. Graphical solution
Y
26.56° F2

F3 36.86°

F1
35°
9.11°
9 X
R

:. Resultant force = 455 N, ș °

2. Algebraic solution R
Using the law of cosines to find C
C
C2 = 8002 + 6002 – 2(800)(600) cos(81.56) F2

26.56°
C2 = 859097 C = 926.9 F3 
8VLQJWKHODZRIVLQH¶VWRILQGĮ F1 36.86°
81.56
C 800 63.44
sin 81.56 sin D 35°

6LQĮ  Į = 58.69°

ȕĮ  ȕ – 58.69

ȕ °

Asst. lecturer Sarmed A. Salih Page 8

 ENGINEERING MECHANICS STATIC

Using the cosines law to find R

R2 = 926.872 + 5002 – 2(926.87)(500) cos (13.27)

R2 = 206.966 R = 455 N

8VLQJWKHVLQH¶VODZWRILQGį R 


R 500
sin 13.27 sin G C F2

6,1į  į ° 26.56° 
F3 
7RILQGWKHDQJOHRIWKHUHVXOWDQWș
F1 36.86°
81.56
İ – 35
63.44
35°
İ 

ș – İ- į ș – (23.69 – 14.6)

ș °

Asst. lecturer Sarmed A. Salih Page 9

 ENGINEERING MECHANICS STATIC

H.w

1. The two structural members, one of which is in tension and the other in
compression, exert the indicated force in joint O. Determine the magnitude of
the resultant R of the two forces and the DQJOH ș ZKLFK 5 PDNHV ZLWK WKH
positive x- axis. [J. L. Merim (2-6)]
Ans. R = 8.75kN ș 171.6 °

2. Determine the resultant R of the two forces shown by applying the

parallelogram rule. [J. L. Merim (2-8)]
Ans. R =529.5N ș 100.89 °

Asst. lecturer Sarmed A. Salih Page 10

 ENGINEERING MECHANICS STATIC

3. While steadily pushing the machine up n incline, a person exerts a 180 N force
P as shown. Determine the components of P which are parallel and
perpendicular to the incline. [J. L. Merim (2-14)]
Ans. Pt = 163.1 N Pn = -76.1N

4. If the resultant FR of the two forces acting on the log is to be directed a long the
positive x – D[LVDQGKDYHDPDJQLWXGHRIN1'HWHUPLQHWKHDQJOHșRIWKH
cable, attached to B such that the force FB in this cable is minimum what is the
magnitude of the force in each cable for this situation. [R. C. Hibbeler (2-26)]
$QVș °, FA =8.66 kN, FB = 5 kN

Asst. lecturer Sarmed A. Salih Page 11

 ENGINEERING MECHANICS STATIC

5. Determine the x and y components of ech force acting on the gusset plate on the
bridge truss. Show that the resultant force is zero. [R. C. Hibbeler (2-47)]
Ans.
F1x = 200 Ib
F1y = 0
F2x = 320 Ib
F2y = -240 Ib
F3x = 180 Ib
F3y = 240 Ib
F4x = -300 Ib
F4y = 0

Asst. lecturer Sarmed A. Salih Page 12