Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY

Villa de Bacolor, Pampanga

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

A. Course Code / Title : Statics 213 / Statics of Rigid Bodies

B. Module Number : Module 12 - Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies
C. Time Frame : 10th week (1.5 hours) - 11th week (3 hours)
D. Description:
This module looks into the definition and problems involving equilibrium of rigid
bodies.
E. Objectives:
At the end of this module, the learner should be able to :
1. Gain understanding of the concept of rigid bodies
2. Solve problems regarding equilibrium of rigid bodies.
F. Contents:
a. Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies
A rigid body is said to be in equilibrium when the external forces acting on it forms a system
of forces equivalent to zero or a system which has no resultant force or resultant couple.

FH  0 FV  0 M  0

Problems:
1. A fixed crane has a mass of 1000 kg and it is used to lift a 2400 kg crate. It is held in place
by a pin at A and a rocker at B. The center of gravity of the crane is located at G. Determine
the horizontal and vertical components of the reactions at A and B.

Crate
G
A

1.2 m

B 2m 4m

Required:
Horizontal and vertical components of reactions at A and B (RAH, RAV and RB)
Solution:
 Draw the free body diagram of the crane:

AV

2400kg =23,544N
AH A G

1.2 m
1000kg = 9810N
RB
B
2m 4m

 Using the equations of equilibrium, solve for the unknowns;

FV  0   M B  0 
AV  23544 9810  0 9810(2)  23544(6)  AH (1.2)  0
AV  33354N  AH  134070N 

FH  0  
RB  AH  0
RB  134070N 

2. For the beams loaded as shown, determine the reactions at the support.

a.
15 N

50 N/m 1m 1m
A B
2m

Required: Reactions at A and B

Solution:
 Draw the free body diagram by replacing the supports with the reactions and the
equivalent force of the uniformly distributed load.

50(2) =100N
15 N

50 N/m 1m 1m
AH
B
A 1m 1m

AV RB
  Using equations of equilibrium, solve for the unknowns:

ΣFH = 0 →+ ΣFV = 0 ↑+
AH = 0 AV + RB - 100 - 15 = 0
RB = 115 - AV → eq. 1

ΣMB = 0 ↻+ Substitute AV = 78.75 N in eq. 1

AV(4) - 100(3) - 15(1) = 0 RB = 115 - 78.75
AV = 78.75 N ↑ RB = 36.25N ↑

15 N

50 N/m 1m 1m
AH = 0
B
A 1m 1m

AV= 78.75 RB = 36.25kN

b.

15 kN 10 kN
10 kN/m
5 kN/m
A
B
1m 1m 3m 1m

Required: Reactions at A and B

Solution:
 Draw the Free Body Diagram by replacing the supports with the reactions and equivalent
force of the distributed loads

1/2 (5)(3) = 7.5 kN

5(3) = 15 kN 1m
10 kN
15 kN
10 kN/m
5 kN/m
AH
A B
1m 1m 1.5m 1.5m 1m

AV RB

 Using equations of equilibrium, solve for the unknowns:

M B  0 
FH  0  
AV (5)  15(4)  15(1.5)  7.5(1)  10(1)  0
AH  0
AV  16kN
 FV  0  
RB  AV  15  15  7.5  10  0
R B  47.5  16
RB  31.5kN 

15 kN 10 kN
10 kN/m
5 kN/m
AH = 0
A B
1m 1m 3m 1m

AV = 16kN RB = 31.5kN

c.

20 kN

9 kN/m

1.5m

1.5m
5 kN
6 kN/m

4.5 m 3m

1.5m
A

Required: Reactions at A and B

Solution:
 Draw the Free Body Diagram by replacing the supports with the reactions and the equivalent
force of the varying load.

1/2 (9)(4.5) = 20.25 kN

20 kN

9 kN/m

1.5m

3m 1.5m
1.5m
5 kN
3m
6 kN/m

3m
6(6) = 36 kN

3m
B
1.5m

A AH
RB
A
AV
 Solve for the unknowns using the equations of equilibrium.
M A  0 
36(3)  20.25(3)  20(6)  5(4.5)  RB (4.5)  0
RB  59.167kN

Fv  0  
AV  RB  20.25  20  0 FH  0  
AV  40.25  59.167 36  5  AH  0
AV  18.917 AH  31kN 
AV  18.917kN 

20 kN

9 kN/m

1.5m

3m 1.5m
1.5m
5 kN
3m
6 kN/m

3m

3m
B
1.5m

A AH = 31kN
RB = 59.167kN
A
AV = 18.917kN

3. For the truss shown, determine the reactions at A and B

500 N
1000 N
1000 N
500 N
3m

A B

3m 3m 3m 3m 3m 3m

600 N 600 N 600 N 600 N 600 N

Required: Reactions at A and B

Solution:
 Draw the free body diagram of the structure:
 500 N
1000 N

1000 N

500 N
3m

B
A AH
3m 3m 3m 3m 3m 3m

RB
AV 600 N 600 N 600 N 600 N 600 N

* components of the force on the top chord

500N

3
1
1
3

 Solve for the unknowns using the equations of equilibrium:

FH  0  
1
(500  1000  1000  500)  AH  0
10
AH  948.68N 

M A  0 
1000 10  1000(2 10 )  500(3 10 )  RB (18)  600(15  12  9  6  3)  0

, RB  2290.57 N 

FV  0  
3
AV  RB  (500  1000  1000  500)  600(5)  0
10
AV  5846.05  2290.57
AV  3555.48N 
 500 N
1000 N

1000 N

500 N
3m

AH = 948.68 N B
A
3m 3m 3m 3m 3m 3m

AV = 3555.48 N 600 N 600 N 600 N 600 N 600 N RB = 2290.57 N

4. The cylinders shown have the indicated weights and dimensions. Assuming all contact
surfaces to be smooth, determine the reactions at A, B, C and D.

D
200 N
C

A
400 N
B
52cm

Required: Reactions at wall A and D, RA and RD

Reaction on floor B, RB
Reaction between the two cylinders, RC

Solution:
 Draw the free body diagram by replacing the wall and floor with the reactions RA, RD and
RB.

200 N

D RD
400 N

A
RA

RB
 Solve for the distances needed:

200 N

D RD
400 N C1

C
y

RA C2 F
20cm

20cm 22cm 10cm

RB

C1

 Consider ΔC1FC2, solve for y:

Using Pythagorean Theorem
30 y
302 = 222 + y2
y = 20.4cm
C2 22 F

 Solve for the RA, RB and RD using the equations of equilibrium:

FV  0  
RB  400  200  0
RB  600N

M A  0 
400(20)  200(42)  RD (20.4)  RB (20)  0
RD (20.4)  16400 600(20)
RD  215.69N

FH  0  
RA  RD  0
RA  215.69N 
 To solve for the reactions between the cylinders, RC:

Consider the 400-N cylinder

Consider the 200-N cylinder

400 N RC 200 N

RA A RD
C2 D
C

B
RC

RB

Free body diagram of 400-N cylinder Free body diagram of 200-N cylinder

RB = 600N RC
75 51
RD = 215.69N 55
C1
A RA = 215.69N
C2
75 51
55
RC
200 N
400 N

 Solve for RC using equations of equilibrium:

FX  0   FY  0  
55 51
215.69  RC  0 RC  200  0
75 75
RC  294.12N RC  294.12N

 You can also solve for the unknowns using the FBD of the two cylinders

G. References:
1. Vector Mechanics for Engineers 10th Edition, Beer, F.P., Johnston, E.R.Jr, Mazurek,
D.F., Cornwell, P.J.2013

2. Engineering Mechanics Statics 13th Edition, Hibbeler, R.C.,2013

3. Engineering Mechanics Statics 14th Edition, Hibbeler, R.C.,2016

4. Engineering Mechanics Statics 3rd Edition, Pytel, A., Kiusalaas, J., 2010