PROBLEM 2.

38
Knowing that α = 50°, determine the resultant of the three forces
shown.

SOLUTION

The resultant force R has the x- and y-components:

Rx = ΣFx = (140 lb ) cos 50° + ( 60 lb ) cos85° − (160 lb ) cos 50°

Rx = −7.6264 lb

and

Ry = ΣFy = (140 lb ) sin 50° + ( 60 lb ) sin 85° + (160 lb ) sin 50°

Ry = 289.59 lb

Further:

290
tan α =
7.6

290
α = tan −1 = 88.5°
7.6

Thus: R = 290 lb 88.5°

38
 PROBLEM 2.39
Determine (a) the required value of α if the resultant of the three forces
shown is to be vertical, (b) the corresponding magnitude of the resultant.

SOLUTION

For an arbitrary angle α , we have:

Rx = ΣFx = (140 lb ) cos α + ( 60 lb ) cos (α + 35° ) − (160 lb ) cos α

(a) So, for R to be vertical:

Rx = ΣFx = (140 lb ) cos α + ( 60 lb ) cos (α + 35° ) − (160 lb ) cos α = 0

Expanding,

− cos α + 3 ( cos α cos 35° − sin α sin 35° ) = 0

Then:

cos 35° − 1
tan α = 3
sin 35°

or
 cos 35° − 1 
α = tan −1  3
 = 40.265° α = 40.3°
 sin 35° 
(b) Now:

R = Ry = ΣFy = (140 lb ) sin 40.265° + ( 60 lb ) sin 75.265° + (160 lb ) sin 40.265°

R = R = 252 lb

39
 PROBLEM 2.40
For the beam of Problem 2.37, determine (a) the required tension in cable
BC if the resultant of the three forces exerted at point B is to be vertical,
(b) the corresponding magnitude of the resultant.
Problem 2.37: Knowing that the tension in cable BC is 145 lb, determine
the resultant of the three forces exerted at point B of beam AB.

SOLUTION

We have:

84 12 3
Rx = ΣFx = − TBC + (156 lb ) − (100 lb )
116 13 5

or Rx = −0.724TBC + 84 lb

and

80 5 4
Ry = ΣFy = TBC − (156 lb ) − (100 lb )
116 13 5

Ry = 0.6897TBC − 140 lb

(a) So, for R to be vertical,

Rx = −0.724TBC + 84 lb = 0

TBC = 116.0 lb

(b) Using

TBC = 116.0 lb

R = Ry = 0.6897 (116.0 lb ) − 140 lb = −60 lb

R = R = 60.0 lb

40
 PROBLEM 2.41
Boom AB is held in the position shown by three cables. Knowing that the
tensions in cables AC and AD are 4 kN and 5.2 kN, respectively,
determine (a) the tension in cable AE if the resultant of the tensions
exerted at point A of the boom must be directed along AB,
(b) the corresponding magnitude of the resultant.

SOLUTION

Choose x-axis along bar AB.

Then

(a) Require

Ry = ΣFy = 0: ( 4 kN ) cos 25° + ( 5.2 kN ) sin 35° − TAE sin 65° = 0

or TAE = 7.2909 kN

TAE = 7.29 kN

(b) R = ΣFx

= − ( 4 kN ) sin 25° − ( 5.2 kN ) cos 35° − ( 7.2909 kN ) cos 65°

= −9.03 kN

R = 9.03 kN

41
 PROBLEM 2.42
For the block of Problems 2.35 and 2.36, determine (a) the required value
of α of the resultant of the three forces shown is to be parallel to the
incline, (b) the corresponding magnitude of the resultant.
Problem 2.35: Knowing that α = 35°, determine the resultant of the
three forces shown.
Problem 2.36: Knowing that α = 65°, determine the resultant of the
three forces shown.

SOLUTION

Selecting the x axis along aa′, we write

Rx = ΣFx = 300 N + ( 400 N ) cos α + ( 600 N ) sin α (1)

Ry = ΣFy = ( 400 N ) sin α − ( 600 N ) cos α (2)

(a) Setting Ry = 0 in Equation (2):

600
Thus tan α = = 1.5
400

α = 56.3°

(b) Substituting for α in Equation (1):

Rx = 300 N + ( 400 N ) cos 56.3° + ( 600 N ) sin 56.3°

Rx = 1021.1 N

R = Rx = 1021 N

42
 PROBLEM 2.43
Two cables are tied together at C and are loaded as shown. Determine the
tension (a) in cable AC, (b) in cable BC.

SOLUTION
Free-Body Diagram

From the geometry, we calculate the distances:

AC = (16 in.)2 + (12 in.)2 = 20 in.

BC = ( 20 in.)2 + ( 21 in.)2 = 29 in.

Then, from the Free Body Diagram of point C:

16 21
ΣFx = 0: − TAC + TBC = 0
20 29
29 4
or TBC = × TAC
21 5
12 20
and ΣFy = 0: TAC + TBC − 600 lb = 0
20 29
12 20  29 4 
or TAC +  × TAC  − 600 lb = 0
20 29  21 5 
Hence: TAC = 440.56 lb
(a) TAC = 441 lb
(b) TBC = 487 lb

43