At the end of this section, you should be able to:

1. Properly draw FBD for 2D rigid body

   • Correctly identify reaction forces and moments

2. Create scalar or vector equilibrium equations from FBD

3. Solve for reaction forces and moments in 2D rigid bodies

This section develops the core skills for solving 2D rigid body equilibrium problems in engineering statics. You will learn to draw clear free body diagrams for rigid bodies, identify support reactions and reaction moments correctly (pin, roller, fixed support, links, ropes, and pulleys), and write the standard equilibrium equations for coplanar systems to solve for unknown reaction forces and moments. Practice problems include beams with pins and rollers, members supported by bars and cables, pulley and rope systems, fixed end cantilever loading, spring supported rigid bodies, and tipping checks for maximum allowable applied force, including cases with complex geometry. Mathematica resources are provided to help set up and solve the equilibrium equations efficiently.