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Module 3: Resultant of Two or More Coplanar Forces

Topics:
1. Resultant of two or more Concurrent Coplanar Forces
2. Resultant of two or more Parallel Coplanar Forces
3. Resultant of two or more Non-Concurrent Coplanar Forces

Intended Learning Outcomes:

1. Combine a system of forces into a single force and couple at a different location

Discussion:

It is commonly known that a body is always submitted to the action of two or more forces. On these
cases, the effect as a whole can be represented throughout a single force that cause the same effect on all
the forces and which is called resultant force

Resultant of Two or More Concurrent-Coplanar Forces

Consider a three concurrent co-planar forces:

By graphical method
F3x
F1
F2
F3 F3y

F2
F2y

F2x
R
F3 Ry

F1y F1
𝜽x
F1x

Rx
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We can write;

𝑅𝑥 = −𝐹1𝑥 + 𝐹2𝑥 + 𝐹3𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥 ; 𝑅𝑦 = 𝐹1𝑦 + 𝐹2𝑦 − 𝐹3𝑦 = ∑ 𝐹𝑦

2 2
𝑅 = √𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2 = √∑ 𝐹𝑥 + ∑ 𝐹𝑦

𝑅𝑦
𝜃𝑥 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1
𝑅𝑥

Using Cartesian vectors:

Each force is represented as a Cartesian vector.

𝐹1 = −𝐹1𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹1𝑦 𝑗

𝐹2 = 𝐹2𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹2𝑦 𝑗

𝐹3 = 𝐹3𝑥 𝑖 − 𝐹3𝑦 𝑗

The vector resultant is therefore.

𝐹𝑅 = 𝐹1 + 𝐹2 + 𝐹3
𝐹𝑅 = −𝐹1𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹1𝑦 𝑗+𝐹2𝑥 𝑖 + 𝐹2𝑦 𝑗 + 𝐹3𝑥 𝑖 − 𝐹3𝑦 𝑗
𝐹𝑅 = 𝐹𝑅 𝑖 + 𝐹𝑅 𝑗

Sample Problem:

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

B
P = 800 lb

T = 600 lb

6’

A 𝛼 A 600 D

3’

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Solution:

Solving for the angle 𝛼;

α B

6’

α 600
A 3’ C D

for the length of CD and BD:

𝐶𝐷
cos 600 = , 𝐶𝐷 = 3 𝑓𝑡.
6
𝐵𝐷
sin 600 = , 𝐵𝐷 = 5.2 𝑓𝑡.
6
calculate the angle α:
𝐵𝐷 5.2
tan 𝛼 = = , 𝜶 = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟗𝟎
3 + 𝐶𝐷 6

By analytical method:
y
800 lb
40.90 x

600 lb cos 40.90

600 lb
600 lb sin 40.90

𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 800𝑙𝑏 − 600𝑙𝑏 cos 40.9 = 𝟑𝟒𝟔. 𝟓 𝒍𝒃

𝛴𝐹𝑦 = −600𝑙𝑏 sin 40.9 = −𝟑𝟗𝟐. 𝟖𝟒 𝒍𝒃

𝑅 = √(𝛴𝐹𝑥 )2 + (𝛴𝐹𝑦 )2 = 𝟓𝟐𝟑. 𝟖 𝒍𝒃

𝛴𝐹𝑦
𝜃𝑥 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ; 𝜃𝑥 = 48.59 0
𝛴𝐹𝑥

Therefore:
R = 523.8 lb, down to the right@ θx = 48.590

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by graphical method:

800 lb
θx 40.90
R 600 lb

by cosine law:

𝑅2 = 8002 + 6002 − 2(800)(600) cos 40.9

R = 523.8 lb
By sine law:
𝑅 600 𝑙𝑏
= ; 𝜽𝒙 = 𝟒𝟖. 𝟓𝟗𝒐
sin 40.9 sin 𝜃𝑥

2. Calculate the magnitude of the tension T and the angle θ for which the concurrent forces will have a
resultant downward force of 15 kN.
y
6 kN
x
𝛉
T
300 8 kN

SOLUTION:

y
6 kN
𝛉
T cos θ
T 8 kN sin 30o
T sin θ 300 8 kN

8 kN cos 30o

𝑅 = √(𝛴𝐹𝑥 )2 + (𝛴𝐹𝑦 )2

given: 𝑅 = 15 𝐾𝑁 (𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑)

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therefore we can say that;

𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 0 & 𝛴𝐹𝑦 = −15𝐾𝑁
𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 6𝑘𝑁 + 8𝑘𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛 30 − 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 0

10𝑘𝑁 = 𝑇𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑒𝑞𝑛. 1

𝛴𝐹𝑦 = −8𝑘𝑁𝑐𝑜𝑠30 − 𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = −15 𝑘𝑁

8.07𝑘𝑁 = 𝑇𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑒𝑞𝑛. 2

Equate eqn. 1 & 2:

𝜽 = 𝟑𝟖. 𝟗𝟎 , 𝑻 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟖𝟓 𝑲𝑵

Resultant of Parallel Forces:

A parallel force system is one in which the action lines of all the forces are parallel. If we let R as the
resultant of the parallel forces then,

To locate the position of R, Varignon’s theorem is used.

Types of Loading

1. Concentrated load

2. Uniformly distributed load or Rectangular load

R = wb
b/2 b/2

w (N/m)

b(m)

3. Varying load or triangular load

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Sample Problem
3. Determine the equivalent resultant force and specify its location on the beam from point A.

10 kN
20 kN/m

5 kN/m

A B
2m 3m
1m

47.5 kN
2m 1m

10 kN R R = 15 kN
d
R T = 22.5 kN

A B
2m 3m
1m
1.5 m 1.5 m

SOLUTION:
𝑘𝑁 1 𝑘𝑁
𝑅𝑅 = 5 (3𝑚) = 𝟏𝟓 𝒌𝑵, 𝑅 𝑇 = (15 ) (3𝑚) = 𝟐𝟐. 𝟓 𝒌𝑵
𝑚 2 𝑚
Magnitude of the Resultant:
𝑅 = 𝐶𝐹 = −10𝑘𝑁 − 15𝑘𝑁 − 22.5𝑘𝑁
𝑹 = −𝟒𝟕. 𝟓𝒌𝑵 𝒐𝒓 𝑹 = 𝟒𝟕. 𝟓 𝒌𝑵 (𝑫𝒐𝒘𝒏)

Location of the Resultant:

by varignon’s theorem:
𝑅(𝑑) = 𝛴𝑀
Take moments @ point A:
47.5𝑘𝑁(𝑑) = 10𝑘𝑁 (1𝑚 ) + 15𝑘𝑁 (4.5𝑚 ) + 22.5𝑘𝑁(5𝑚 )
𝒅 = 𝟒. 𝟎 𝒎 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 𝐴

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Resultant of Non-Concurrent Forces

Non-concurrent forces are forces in which the lines of action neither parallel nor intersect in a common
point.

To solve for R:
2 2
𝑅 = √𝑅𝑥 2 + 𝑅𝑦 2 = √∑ 𝐹𝑥 + ∑ 𝐹𝑦

Where:
𝑅𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹𝑥 , 𝑅𝑦 = ∑ 𝐹𝑦

Ry
θx = tan-1
Rx

To locate the position of R, Varignon’s theorem is used.

Sample Problem

4. Determine the resultant of the four forces and one couple which act on the plate shown. Determine
also the x and y-intercepts of the line of action of the resultants.

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SOLUTION:

R = 148.35 N
60 N sin 450

60 N cos 450

Ry = ΣFy
80 N sin 300
yi

Rx = ΣFx 80 N cos 300

xi

 The magnitude of the Resultant:

𝑅 = √(𝛴𝐹𝑥 )2 + (𝛴𝐹𝑦 )2

𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 80𝑁𝑐𝑜𝑠 30 + 40𝑁 − 60𝑁𝑐𝑜𝑠 45

𝛴𝐹𝑥 = 𝟔𝟔. 𝟖𝟔 𝑵

𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 80𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛 30 + 50𝑁 + 60𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛 45

𝛴𝐹𝑦 = 𝟏𝟑𝟐. 𝟒𝟑 𝑵

𝑅 = √(𝛴𝐹𝑥 )2 + (𝛴𝐹𝑦 )2 = 𝟏𝟒𝟖. 𝟑𝟓 𝑵

 Angle of Inclination:

𝛴𝐹𝑦
𝜃𝑥 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ; 𝜽𝒙 = 𝟔𝟑. 𝟐𝟏 𝟎
𝛴𝐹𝑥
Therefore:

R = 𝟏𝟒𝟖. 𝟑𝟓 𝑵, up to the right @ θx = 𝟔𝟑. 𝟐𝟏 𝟎

 Solving for the x- and y-intercept of the line of action of the resultant:

Determine first the moment @ the origin O of all the applied forces and moment:
𝑀𝑜 = 50𝑁(5𝑚 ) + (60𝑁𝑠𝑖𝑛 45)(7𝑚 ) − (60𝑁𝑐𝑜𝑠 45)(4𝑚 ) − 140 𝑁. 𝑚

𝑴𝒐 = 𝟐𝟑𝟕. 𝟑𝟖 𝑵. 𝒎

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solving for the x-intercept:

by: varignon,s theorem:

𝑀𝑅 = 𝛴𝑀 ; (𝑅𝑦 )(𝑥𝑖 ) = 𝑀0

132.43𝑁 (𝑥𝑖 ) = 237.38𝑁. 𝑚

𝒙𝒊 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟗 𝒎
then the y-intercept:
(𝑅𝑥 )(𝑦𝑖 ) = 𝑀0

𝒚𝒊 = 𝟑. 𝟓𝟓𝒎

Module 3: Resultant of Two or More Coplanar Forces/JsLumbab