4 Non-Concurrent Force Systems in a Plane

4.1 Moment

The moment of a force F about a point O in the plane is M where

M = F d, (12)
where d is the perpendicular distance from O to the line of action of F (Fig. 12).

Figure 12: Moment M of force F .

4.2 Couple

Two equal and opposite forces F whose lines of action lie d apart form a couple. It is
easy to show, and essential to remember, that this pair of forces has the same moment
M about any point O in the plane, wherever O is located. (Fig. 12).
M = F x − F (d + x) = F d (13)

 

Figure 13: Moment of a couple.

4.3 Equivalence of Parallel Forces

Given a force F acting at A, a distance x from an arbitrary origin O, as shown in

Fig. 14(a), we can replace it by an identical force F acting at B plus an anticlockwise
moment M = F d, shown in Fig. 14(c).

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This may be confirmed as follows: add two equal and opposite forces F at B to the
situation of Fig. 14(a), giving Fig. 14(b). Clearly these two forces cancel each other
and change nothing. But, observe that the force at A and the upward force at B form
a couple, whose moment M = F d, with an anticlockwise sense. Even though the
couple is formed of forces at A and B, we also know that the moment M will be the
same about any point in the plane, including B. Hence we have the downward force
at B and the moment of the couple M , Fig. 14(c), being equivalent to the original force
at A.



  




      
  

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 14: Equivalence of parallel forces.

4.3.1 Resultant of Two Parallel Forces

Consider Fig. 15, by using the result shown in Fig. 14, the resultant of the forces F can

Parallel Forces Resultant

 ! $


" # %

  '( )*

 &

Figure 15: The resultant force F of two parallel forces F 1 and F 2 that are distance d
apart.

be determined from the individual forces F 1 and F 2 and their distances between them
d. The force F 1 can be transferred to C by applying F 1 with an anticlockwise moment
M 1 = F 1 a1 there. The force F 2 can be tranferred to C by applying F 2 with a clockwise
moment M 2 = F 2 a2 there. To find a resultant force only, these moments must cancel
out:
F 1 a1 = F 2 a2

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The resultant force F is given by:

F = F1 + F2 (14)

and the distances AC and CB are given by a little manipulation as:

F2 d
a1 =
F
F1 d
a2 = (15)
F
where F , F1 and F2 are the magnitudes of F , F 1 and F 2 respectively. Note that an
analogous formula can be developed if F 1 and F 2 are in opposite directions, so long
as they have different magnitudes. If they are equal and opposite then there is a couple
and you cannot replace them by one force and zero moment.

The determination of a resultant force can be extended to n forces (Fig. 16). The two

Parallel Forces
 
  Resultant 

 










Figure 16: The resultant force F of n parallel forces F 1 . . . F n that are distance xn from
the origin O.

systems are equivalent if:

X
n
F = Fi (16)
i=1
X
n
F i xi
x= i=1
, (17)
Xn
Fi
i=1

As before, we can now make some comments about equilibrium of mechanical systems
that have non-concurrent forces.

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4.4 Equilibrium in a Plane

4.4.1 Parallel Forces

There are exactly two independent equations of equilibrium for a mechanical system
with all forces being parallel. Typically we take:

1. an equation of force equilibrium;

X
F =0

2. an equation of moment equilibrium about some convenient point.

X
M =0

In principle, we could write two equations of moment equilibrium about two different
points. In either case, taking moments about a further location does not provide any
new information, although it may be easier to work with; the 3rd equation not being
independent in the sense that we can form it simply by combining multiples of the first
two equations (the 3rd equation is linearly dependent on the other two).

4.4.2 General Forces

There are exactly three independent equations of equilibrium for a mechanical system
with forces not being necessarily parallel nor concurrent. Typically we take:

1. an equation of force equilibrium in the horizontal direction;

X
Fx = 0

2. an equation of force equilibrium in the vertical direction;

X
Fy = 0

3. an equation of moment equilibrium about some convenient point.

X
M =0

However, there are plenty of choices to obtain the three independent equations of equi-
librium:

• the force equilibrium equations can be in two convenient directions which are
not necessarily orthogonal;
• we can take moments about each of three points as long as they are not collinear.

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4.4.3 Principle of Superposition

If we have results for two load cases A and B, as shown in Fig. 17, on a rigid body, we

 


 


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()


!#"$

Figure 17: The principle of superposition: cases A and B are combined to give the third
system.

can quickly write down the results for any linear combination of A and B as:
Total = k1 A + k2 B.
For example the left-hand reaction of the beam shown in case A is 6 kN for a central
point load of 12 kN, and 9 kN for a point load of 12 kN applied a quarter of the span
along the beam (case B). Without further calculations, the reaction R for the case where
the load is 12 kN at the quarter span and 24 kN at midspan will be:
R = (2 × 6 + 1 × 9) kN = 21 kN,
as k1 = 2 and k2 = 1 for the combined case.

4.5 Worked Example

Before moving onto the worked examples, it is worth considering the various support
conditions which are shown in Fig. 18.

4.5.1 Example 3

Determine the reaction forces at the supports in the mechanical systems shown in
Fig. 19.

22
 Support Free-Body Support Description Unknowns
Symbol Diagram

Pin-roller support, frictionless pin

1
(hinge) and surface

Pin (hinge) support,

2
Frictionless pin, rough surface

Fixed or rigid support, rotationally

3
and translationally restrained



Collar on frictionless rod 1

Short cable with known

1
line of action

Figure 18: The possible support conditions in static mechanical systems.

 >?@

  8:9<;=
 

     

(a) (b)
DEF
!#"
 & + G

,-.!/#0 3 ABC
'( $% )* 45 12 67

(c) (d)

Figure 19: Worked example 3: Analysis of reaction forces for beams.

23