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1 Simplest Resultant
Figure 1:
shown in Fig 1(a). It was noted previously that the resultant moment vector
One can find a point A and shift the force F such that
−→
AO × F + M = 0. (1)
Thus, the couple-moment generated due to this shift exactly cancels the
force F along a unique axis whose direction is the same as that of the force, as
shown in Fig. 1(b). This is the simplest resultant of any planar force system.
Since any point on the axis satisfies (1), a unique point may be determined
by finding the intersection of the axis with the x-axis (or, the y-axis), i.e.
2 The Wrench
Figure 2:
From the above discussions it is therefore clear that, for a general force
system, the simplest resultant will consist of a resultant force vector and
a moment vector collinear with the force vector. Such an equivalent force
system, as shown in Fig 2, is called a wrench. It may be noted that the axis
of a wrench is unique. The equivalent force system at any point on this axis
will yield the same wrench. The direction of this axis is same as that of the
resultant force F. One point on the axis is determined from the intersection
2
Figure 3:
Consider a force system, as shown in Fig 3. Let the wrench axis corre-
sponding to this system intersect the plane z = 0 at (x, y, 0). The equivalent
If p is a point on the wrench axis, the moment vector M must be along the
These represent two equations in two unknowns (x, y), which may be solved
3
3 Problems
Figure 4:
Problem 1
Determine the simplest resultant of the force system shown in Fig. 4, and
Solution
F1 = −668ĵ N r1 = 0 m
F2 = −1335ĵ N r2 = 1.2î m
F3 = −1225ĵ N r3 = 2.4î m
F4 = −890ĵ N r4 = 3.6î m
P4
Net force F = i=1 Fi = −4118ĵ N. Let the simplest resultant pass through
4
y
60 N
100 N
0.75 m
80 N x
1.5 m
Figure 5:
Problem 2
simplest resultant, and the point on the x-axis through which it passes.
Solution
F1 = 80î N r1 = 0 m
F2 = 100î N r2 = 0.75ĵ m
F3 = −60ĵ N r3 = 1.5î m
P3
Resultant force F = i=1 Fi = 180î − 60ĵ N. Let the force of the simplest
5
resultant pass through ρ = xî. Since the net moment at ρ must vanish
X
3
Mρ = (ri − ρ) × Fi = 0
i=1
⇒ (−xî) × 80î + (0.75ĵ − xî) × 100î + (1.5 − x)î × (−60ĵ) = 0
⇒ x = 2.75 m.
Figure 6:
Problem 3
For the force system shown in Fig 6., determine the wrench and the point on
Solution
Let a point P on the x-z plane be represented by rP = xî + z k̂. The forces
F1 = 100ĵ N r1 = 0.4î m
6
M = −20ĵ Nm
Resultant force at P
F = 100(î + ĵ) N.
MP = (r1 − rP ) × F1 + (r2 − rP ) × F2 + M
Thus, the wrench consists of F and MP , and it passes through rP = 0.1(ĵ + k̂)
m.