SWK 122 Statics

Theme 1

Lecture Unit 1.1

Consider a general triangle with the following representation.

θ Determine the remaining three unknowns in each of the fol-

lowing situations.
b
a 1. a = 2, b = 3, θ = 60◦ .
α 2. c = 6, α = 60◦ , β = 10◦ .
β
c 3. b = 3, c = 4, θ = 30◦ .

4. a = 5, b = 2, β = 15◦ .

NOTE: We will use the following accuracy for numerical values.

• If a specific scalar (excluding an angle) is used in a next step of your calculation, use at
least 4 significant figures.
* You may use a representation with more significant figures.
* A representation with less than 4 significant figures is not allowed, as it decreases
on the accuracy of your final answers.
• If an angle is used in a next step of your calculation, use at least a 1 decimal digit
representation.
* You may use a representation with more decimal digits.
* A representation with less than 1 decimal digit is not allowed, as it decreases on
the accuracy of your final answers.
• Represent all final answers to exactly 4 significant figures, except for angles.
• Represent all final angles to exactly 1 decimal digit.

EXAMPLE: If you have to use the value of π = 3.14159265..... in a follow-up calculation,

you may use the built-in calculator value of π.

You may also use the values 3.142, 3.1416, 3.14159, etc.

The values 3, 3.1 and 3.14 do not meet the required accuracy and are not used in follow-up
calculations.

If you have to represent π as a final answer, you will represent it as 3.142.

1
Lecture Unit 1.2

Question 1
Consider the structure in the accompanying sketch that is subjected to the given horizontal
and vertical forces at A. B and C are pin connections in the same plane; the distance between
the two points is variable.

6m

600 kN

450 kN A

B 30° C

Our aim in this problem is to see how the resultant force at A is distributed between the
connecting members AB and AC under specified circumstances. This is equivalent to finding
components along specified directions.

1.1 Determine the magnitude R of the resultant R of the 450 kN and 600 kN force and
specify the direction of R.

1.2 Calculate the components of R along the members in the following circumstances and
interpret your results graphically.

(a) Member AB is vertical. Calculate the components along AB and AC.

(b) Member AB has a length of 5 m. Calculate the components along AB and AC.
(c) Member AB is vertical; a third member is connected from A to the midpoint of B
and C, call this point D. Calculate the components along AB, AD and AC.

1.3 What conclusions can you draw from your answers in Question 1.2?

2
Question 2

Z 
/ The force system on the hook consists

of three forces. Two forces are known
  ' completely (the magnitudes and direc-
tions are known) and a third force is
 unknown in terms of both its magni-
u tude and direction.
Y
P Answer the following questions and
measure θ as an angle anticlockwise

/ from the positive x−axis.

2.1 Determine the magnitude and direction of the smallest force F so that the resultant of
all three forces has magnitude 600 N .

2.2 Determine the magnitude and direction of the largest force F so that the resultant of
all three forces has magnitude 600 N .

2.3 Determine the magnitude and direction of the smallest force F so that the resultant of
all three forces has magnitude 500 N .

2.4 Determine the magnitude and direction of the largest force F so that the resultant of
all three forces has magnitude 500 N .

3
Lecture Unit 1.3

All the questions in this lecture

Z unit refer to the situation as de-
scribed below.

'


/ The force system on the hook con-

P sists of three forces. Two forces
'


/

are known completely (the mag-
Y nitudes and directions are known)

P and a third force is unknown in
Q terms of both its magnitude and
Yh direction.
'

Question 1
Determine the magnitude and direction of F 1 so that the resultant force is directed along the
positive x−axis and has magnitude 700 N .

Question 2
Determine the magnitude and direction of F 1 so that the resultant force is directed along the
positive x′ −axis and has magnitude 200 N

Question 3
Let θ = 75◦ . Determine the range of values for the magnitude of the force F 1 so that the
resultant of the three forces does not exceed 500 N . What is the corresponding minimum
value that the resultant can attain?

4
Lecture Units 1.4 and 1.5

Question 1
The apparatus in the accompanying sketch is in equilibrium under the applied force FAB that
is parallel to AB. The suspended mass is 10 kg and the diameter of the pulley negligible.

(a) Draw the free-body diagram of pulley A.

(b) Determine θ and FAB for equilibrium.

P
"

P θ
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Question 2
The spring system CA′ B ′ D in the accompanying sketch is unstretched. Upon hanging two
masses m at A′ and B ′ , the system stretches to the new configuration CABD.

(a) Draw the free-body diagrams of particles A and B.

(b) Determine m for equilibrium.

5


N 
N

N

$ %

N

"h
#h

L


/N L


/N



N

" #

N

N

Question 3
Consider the cable system that supports the chandelier with mass m hanging at D.

(a) Draw the free-body diagrams of particles B, C and D.

(b) Assume that each cable can withstand a tension of 600 N . Determine the maximum
mass of the chandelier that can hang from the cable system.

"
30o
# $

P P

6
Lecture Unit 1.6

Consider the two forces F 1 and F 2 acting on a particle at the origin.

( )
F R = − 200i + 800j + 150k N denotes the resultant of F 1 and F 2 .

F2
γ

α
β

30◦
x y
3

F1 = 600 N

1. Express F R in cartesian vector format and depict F R with respect to the given system
of axes.

2. Find the two unit vectors parallel to F R . Which unit vector has the same sense as F R ?

3. Determine the direction cosines and the direction angles of F R . Note that the direction
cosines and the direction angles of F R depend on the choice of the system of axes.

4. Express F 2 in cartesian vector format.

5. Express F 1 in cartesian vector format.

6. Determine the magnitude and coordinate direction angles of F 2 .

7
Lecture Unit 1.7

Question 1
Two light cables BC and BD are used to stabilize pole OAB. The vertical part OA has
height 2.5 m and the part AB is horizontal. Points C and D both lie in the xz−plane.
z
The forces that develop in the
cables are 850 N in cable BC
B
and 600 N in cable BD respec-
tively.
A
Express the forces that the ca-
bles exert on point B of the
pole in cartesian vector form.
2.5 m 50◦ Represent all scalars in the
40◦ y final answer to 4 significant
O 1m digits, as we will use these
4m D
C values in further calculations.
x 1m

Question 2

z
'


/

Two forces F 1 and F 2 act on

the bracket. Answer the fol-
lowing questions.


 2.1 Find the unit vector in

the same direction as F 2 .
P y
P
2.2 Find the unit vector in
x the opposite direction
as F 1 .

'


/

8
Lecture Unit 1.8

Question 1
Consider Question 1 of Lecture Unit 1.7.

1.1 Find the force P that will ensure equilibrium of particle B due to the two tensions in
the cables.

1.2 Does P act along OB or AB? Motivate your answer.

Question 2
The three struts AB, AC and AD support a 500 kg block in the accompanying sketch.

% "

#

N

N

N
x 
N

N y

2.1 Draw the FBD for A. Assume that all three struts pull on A and that the forces are
parallel to AB, AC and AD. (AB, AC and AD are two-force members and will be
discussed in full in Theme 3.)

2.2 Express each force in the FBD in cartesian vector form.

2.3 Write down the system of (scalar) equilibrium equations for A.

2.4 Solve the system of equations in Question 2.3.

2.5 Interpret your results.

2.6 We can now determine the forces that develop along the struts due to the hanging block.
How?

9
Lecture Unit 1.9

Question 1
Refer to the problem in Question 1 of the worksheet for Lecture Unit 1.7.

1.1 Calculate the smallest angle between the cables BC and BD.

1.2 Calculate the smallest angle between cable BD and pipe segment AB.

1.3 Let T BC and T BD denote the cartesian vector forms for the tensions of the respective
cables BC and BD on point B. Calculate the angle between T BC and T BD .

1.4 Find the components of T BC parallel and perpendicular to cable BD.

Question 2
Determine the projection of the force P along line BC as well as the corresponding component
perpendicular to BC. Express your results in cartesian vector form.

E
D

B 1.5 m

2m y
1.5 m C F
2m
2m
x 2m P = 80 N

10