Statics – Exercise No.

3.104 A rectangular block is acted upon by the three forces shown, which are
directed along its edges. Replace these forces by an equivalent wrench and determine (a)
the magnitude and direction of the resultant force R, (b) the pitch of the wrench, (c) the
point where the axis of the wrench intersects the yz plane.
Answer: (a) R = 56.6 N; θx = 45°; θy = 90°, θz = 45° (b) p = -25 mm (c) y = 125 mm; z = 137.5
mm

3.122 Replace the three forces showing by (a) a force-couple system at A, (b) a
wrench. (Specify the pitch and axis of the wrench.)
Answer: p = 48.0 mm; x = 123.2 mm, y = 0

4.2 A gardener uses a 50-N wheelbarrow to transport a 220-N bag of fertilizer. What
force must she exert on each handle?
Answer: F = 36.8 N

4.3 The gardener of prob. 4.2 wishes to transport a second 220-N bag of fertilizer at
the same time as the first one. Determine the maximum allowable horizontal distance
from the axel A of the wheelbarrow to the center of gravity of the second bag if she can
hold only 65 N with each arm.
Answer: x = 257 mm

4.10 Three loads are applied as shown to a light beam supported by cables attached
at B and D. Knowing that the maximum allowable tension in each cable is 12 KN and
neglecting the weight of the beam, determine the range of values of Q which the loading
is safe when P = 0.
Answer: -8.5 kN ≤ Q ≤ 10.25 kN

4.16 The lever AB is hinged at C and attached to a control cable at A. If the lever is
subjected at B to a 500-N horizontal force, determine (a) the tension in the cable, (b) the
reaction at C.
Answer: (a) FAD = 400 N (b) C = 458 N ∠ 49.1°
4.18 Determine the reactions at A and B when (a) α = 0, (b) α = 90°, (c) α = 30°.
Answer: (a) A = B = 187.5 N (b) A = 488 N ∠50.2°; B = 313 N (c) A = 249 N ∠71.2°;
B = 160.8 N ∠120°

4.27 A 70 kg overhead garage door consist of a uniform rectangular panel AC, 2100
mm high, supported by the cable AE attached at the middle of the upper edge of the
door and by tow sets of frictionless rollers at A and B. Each set consist of two rollers
located on either side of the door. The rollers A are free to move in horizontal channels,
while the rollers B are guided by vertical channels. If the door is held in the position for
which BD = 1050 mm, determine (a) the tension in cable AB, (b) the reaction at each of
the four rollers.
Answer: (a) T = 549 N (b) A = 343 N B = 275 N

4.34 A uniform rod AB of length l and weight W is suspended from to cords AC and
BC of equal length. Determine the angle θ corresponding to the equilibrium position
when a couple M is applied to the rod.
−1  2 M cot α 
Answer: θ = sin  
 Wl 

4.38 A force P of magnitude 400 N is applied to end E of cable CDE which passes
under pulley D and is attached to the mechanism at C. neglecting the weight of the
mechanism and the radius of the pulley, determine the value of θ corresponding to
equilibrium. The constant of the spring k = 4 kN/m, and the spring is unstretched
when θ = 90°. (Hint: solve by trial and error.)
Answer: θ = 19.4°