2011,Apr.

17

Mechanics of Structures HES1125 Equilibrium Of Forces In Three-Dimensions (Lab Report)

EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCES IN THREE-DIMENSIONS

OBJECTIVES

1. To investigate the equilibrium of forces in three-dimensions.

2. To prove the summation of forces in x, y and z directions are zeros

Apparatus:

1. A set of 3D force apparatus (force table with protractor and pulleys)

2. A roll of cord (string)
3. A set of weights

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Mechanics of Structures HES1125 Equilibrium Of Forces In Three-Dimensions (Lab Report)

How does this work:

 In this experiment, we are going to use the force table shown in Figure 1 and 2.
 Three set of weights (W1, W2 and W3) are connected to cords and hung to 3 separate
poles with pulley installed on them.
 The three cords are connected to a ring that will be inserted to the centre pole.
 The three poles can be adjusted to be at any point along the table’s circumference.
 The weights can be added and taken away until the ring is on the centre of the centre
pole.
 Then, from Figure 1, we are able to adjust the heights H1, H2, H3, measure H and the
radius of the table R.
 From that we can calculate the z-component of the forces and also the x, y, components
of the forces.
 From the x, y-components of the forces, we are able to calculate the x-component and
the y-component of the forces after we measure the angle θ1, θ 2 and θ 3.

Theory:

 Referring to Figure 1 and 2, assuming that the pulley is frictionless, then the force in the
string is equal to the weight hanging at its end.
 α is the angle between the string and its projection on the xy plane.
 Θ is the angle which the projection of the cord made with the x axis.

a. Force in the z -direction = ∑Wi αi = 0

sin
b. Component of the force in the xy plane =
W i cosα i

c. Force in the y –direction = ∑

(W i cosα i )sin θi = 0

d. Force in the x –direction = ∑ (W i cosα i )cosθi =0

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Mechanics of Structures HES1125 Equilibrium Of Forces In Three-Dimensions (Lab Report)

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

1. The location of the cord is first selected.

2. Then the vertical poles are clamped at the selected locations.
3. The height of the pulley is then adjusted and locked in its position.
4. One end of the cord is tied to the ring while the ring is slipped into central.
5. Each cord is passed over its respective pulley where a load hanger is attached to the other end
of the cord.
6. The position of the central ring is then checked. (The Centre Pole should be aligned at the centre
of the ring, if not; this position should be adjusted properly by loading appropriate weight on to
the load hanger).
7. Desired weight is placed on two of the load hangers.
8. Then, gradually weight is added onto the third hanger so that the centre pole is aligned at the
centre of the ring without touching the ring in anyways.
9. Finally the weights on each hanger and the location of the cord are measured accordingly.
10. This experiment is then repeated several times using different sets of locations loading
appropriate sets of weight.

ACQUIRED DATA

Contains data obtained from the experiment after four runs.

Pulley 1 Pulley 2 Pulley 3 H(cm)

W1 H1 θ1 W2 H2 θ2 W3 H3 θ3
N cm degree N cm degree N cm degree
0.1 32.0 60 0.5 30.0 120 0.8 18.2 280 29.5
0.5 30.2 60 0.5 31.5 120 1.7 18.5 280 30.5
0.5 30.0 20 0.2 31.2 110 0.7 24.0 240 30.0
0.9 30.0 20 0.5 31.4 110 1.2 30.0 240 30.0

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Mechanics of Structures HES1125 Equilibrium Of Forces In Three-Dimensions (Lab Report)

METHODS OF CALCULATION:

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Mechanics of Structures HES1125 Equilibrium Of Forces In Three-Dimensions (Lab Report)

RESULTS

The following results can be calculated using the data obtained in Table 1.

(a) Component of force in the z direction, Fz (positive upwards)

Length of cord, L = √( H 1−H 2)2 + R2

H 1 −H
sin α1 = L

Fz = W1 sin α1

Pulley 1 Pulley 2 Pulley 3 ∑Fz

W1 Fz1 W2 Fz2 W3 Fz3
N sin α1 N N sin α2 N N sin α3 N N

0.1 0.1114 0.0111 0.5 0.1053 0.0527 0.8 0 0 0.0638

0.5 -0.0134 -0.0067 0.5 0.0448 0.0224 1.7 0.0090 -0.0153 0.0004
0.5 0 0 0.2 0.0537 0.0107 0.7 0 0 00107
0.9 0 0 0.5 0.0627 0.0314 1.2 0.0090 0.0108 0.0422
Table 2- Equilibrium of forces in the z-direction

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FZT
∑ Fz [ N ]
0.0638 -1.33
Mechanics of Structures HES1125
0.0004 -2.69
00107 -1.38
0.0422
Mechanics of Structures HES1125 -2.55 Of Forces In Three-Dimensions (Lab Report)
Equilibrium

From Table 2 above, calculate the total force in the z-direction, FzT, for each load case

F zT =∑ F z −W 1 −W 2 −W 3

b) Component of the force in the xy plane, Fxy = W cos α F(xy) = W cos α

Component of the force in the x direction, Fx = W cos α cos θ

Pulley 1 Pulley 2 Pulley 3 ∑Fx

W1 Fx1 W2 Fx2 W3 Fx3
cos θ1 cos α1 cos θ2 cos α2 cos θ3 cos α3
N N N N N N N
0.1 0.5 0.9938 0.0497 0.5 -0.5 0.9944 -0.2486 0.8 0.17 1.0000 0.1360 -0.0629

0.5 0.5 0.9999 0.2500 0.5 -0.5 0.9990 -0.2498 1.7 0.17 1.0000 0.2890 0.2892

0.5 0.94 1.0000 0.4700 0.2 -0.34 0.9986 -0.0679 0.7 -0.5 1.0000 -0.3500 0.0521

0.9 0.94 1.0000 0.8460 0.5 -0.34 0.9980 -01697 1.2 -0.5 1.0000 -0.6000 0.0763

Table 3- Equilibrium of forces in the x- direction

From Table 3, calculate the total force in the x-direction, Fxt, for each load case,

∑ F xT =∑ F x

∑FxT ∑Fx

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-0.0629 -0.0629
0.2892 0.2892
0.0521 0.0521
0.0763 0.0763

Mechanics of Structures HES1125 Equilibrium Of Forces In Three-Dimensions (Lab Report)

(c) Component of the force in the xy plane, Fxy = W cos α

Component of force in the y direction, Fy = W cos α sin θ

Pulley 1 Pulley 2 Pulley 3 ∑Fy

W1 sin Fy1 W2 Fy2 W3 Fy3
cos α1 sin θ2 cos α2 sin θ2 cos α2
N θ1 N N N N N N
0.1 0.87 0.9938 0.0865 0.5 0.87 0.9944 0.4326 0.8 -0.98 1.0000 -0.7840 -0.2649
0.5 0.87 0.9999 0.4350 0.5 0.87 0.9990 0.4346 1.7 -0.98 1.0000 -1.6660 -0.7964
0.5 0.34 1.0000 0.1700 0.2 0.94 0.9986 0.1877 0.7 -0.87 1.0000 -0.6090 -0.2513

0.9 0.34 1.0000 0.3060 0.5 0.94 0.9980 0.4691 1.2 -0.87 1.0000 -1.0440 -0.2689
Table 4- Equilibrium of forces in the y direction

Summation of the forces and divided by the mean

Force in the z-direction = 0.0072 + 0.0179 + 0.0179 + 0.0027 = 0.0457

(Approximately equal to zero)

Component of the force in the x-y plane = 0.8 x 0.999 = 0.7992

Force in the y-direction = 0.338 + 0.433 + 0.787 + 0.064 = 1.622

(Very close to zero/Negligible)

Force in the x-direction = -0.724 + -0.250 + 0.139 + -0.077 = -0.912

(Very close to zero/Negligible)

Hence the body remains in equilibrium in three dimensions.

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Mechanics of Structures HES1125 Equilibrium Of Forces In Three-Dimensions (Lab Report)

DISCUSSION

This experiment can practically produce values which are very close to the theoretical exact values. The
pure eye has to see the body hanging in equilibrium to record the values and therefore the values come
very close to the expected true values.

Still, there are certain experimental errors which are faced due to various reasons.

Some of which are:

1. The body is considered to be in equilibrium when the centre pole stays through the ring without
touching it, but still not sure whether the centre pole goes right through the centre of the ring.
2. The wind and other environmental forces can affect the weight when measuring because these
forces can add in as extra weight whereas the exact load will be read as a lesser value.
3. The heights were measured using a feet scale without considering too much on its decimal
values which can still cause changes in final calculations.
4. The summation of the three forces is supposed to be zero according to the theory.
5. Parallax error will affect the measurement. Therefore, proper position to take the measurement
is needed.
6. There is friction along the three pulleys that cause errors in the experiment.
7. The values obtained from the measurement are not that accurate because the apparatus used,
like the meter ruler have a lower accuracy and precision.
8. If we compare each and every reading with other group members we can see our readings and
their readings are difference due to tolerance.
µ=± 0.3 (this value depends in each and every scenarios )

Therefore, the calculations of this experiment could be not exact expectations but still are
approximately true values.

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I personally don’t agree the way did this experiment which was six person per group, because everyone
don’t get a chance and everyone will not get a equal good knowledge, I recommend this experiment
should be done max three person and minimum two people.

Mechanics of Structures HES1125 Equilibrium Of Forces In Three-Dimensions (Lab Report)

SUMMARY

Through this experiment, the concept of a body remaining in equilibrium under three
dimensional forces can be proved precisely with no doubt.
There are several factors like the friction and parallax error had affected the calculation. If the
errors can be prevented, the reading will be more accurate.

This ends up with enough and more facts and calculations to show the summations of all three
dimensional forces acting on a body when it is in equilibrium and hence good enough to come
up with a worthy discussion.
The summation of each three dimensional force can be proved zero (If the centre pole lies
through the exact centre of the ring).
Still with experimental errors distracting in between, the summation of each three dimensional
force can be proved as a very close value to zero Newton’s, where the values can even be
neglected.
In conclusion, this experiment succeeds in proving concepts on equilibrium of forces acting in
three dimensions.

Conclusion

Theoretically, the summation of forces should be zero because it is in equilibrium. However, several
factor like the friction and parallax error had affected the calculation. If the errors can be prevented, the
reading will be more accurate.

9 Bradly Roger Shedden (7433670)