3D Physics - Frameworks

Concurrent, Coplanar Forces

Concurrent, coplanar forces are forces which act through one point and are in one plane.

Triangle Of Forces

For three co-planar forces to be in equilibrium they must be concurrent. A triangle of forces can then represent the forces in magnitude and direction.

framework jib crane

Jib Crane

triangle of forces for a crane

Triangle of Forces

Polygon Of Forces

If more than three forces act on a body they may be represented in magnitude and direction by the sides of a polygon:

forces at a joint

Forces at a joint

polygon of forces

Polygon of forces

If a closed polygon results, then the forces are in equilibrium. If an open polygon results, then aa' is the resultant (opposes flow of arrows) aa' is known as the equilibrant (follows flow of arrows).

Resolution of Forces

Any single force can be replaced by two others at right angles to each other, known as horizontal and vertical components.

forces on joint

resolution of forces

Example

force resolution example

The following forces act at a point:

Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant of these forces when they are pulling away from the point

a) by drawing the polygon of forces
b) by resolving the forces

Frameworks

For frameworks we can combine the polygon of forces for each joint in the framework to give a combined force diagram.

For each instance of a framework we can draw two complimentary diagrams:

In the space diagram we can denote struts and ties as follows:

strut and tie

The two diagrams are complementary, the lines in the space diagram correspond to the points in the force diagram and the points in the space diagram correspond to the lines in the force diagram. The lines (struts or ties) in the space diagram are marked by upper case letters, there are corresponding lower case letters shown for the points in the force diagram.

Example

space diagram

Space Diagram

force diagram

Force Diagram

The forces are:

Member Force (N) Nature
AF 9000 tie
BF 10000 strut
FG 4000 strut
CG   strut
GH   tie
DH   strut
HJ   strut
JA   tie
EJ 10000 strut

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