Statics 3.4 – Normal Reactions in a Bearing | Hibbeler 14th Edition

The bearing consists of rollers, symmetrically confined within the housing. The bottom one is subjected to a 125-N force at its contact A due to the load on the shaft. Determine the normal reactions NB and NC on the bearing at its contact points B and C for equilibrium.

Engineering Mechanics: Statics 14th Edition Problem 3-4 - The normal reactions on a bearing.

Solution:

Free-body diagram of the roller:

Free-body diagram of Problem 3.4 - Engineering Mechanics Statics 14th Edition by Russell C. Hibbeler| Normal Forces in a Bearing

Equations of Equilibrium:

Note that if we take the sum of forces in the x-direction, there are two unknown forces involve, but if we take the sum of forces in the y-direction, there is only one unknown force involve.

Summation of forces in the y-direction:

+↑∑Fy=0125−NCcos⁡40°=0NC=125cos⁡40°NC=163.1759 N\begin{aligned} +\uparrow \sum F_y & =0& & & & & \\ 125- N_C \cos 40 \degree &=0 & & & & &\\ N_C &=\dfrac{125}{\cos 40 \degree} & & & & & \\ N_C & =163.1759 \ \text{N} \\ \end{aligned}

Summation of forces in the x-direction:

→+∑Fx=0NB−163.1759 sin⁡40°=0NB=163.1759sin⁡40°NB=104.8874 N\begin{aligned} \xrightarrow{+} \sum F_x & =0 \\ N_B - 163.1759\ \sin 40 \degree &=0 \\ N_B &=163.1759 \sin 40\degree \\ N_B & = 104.8874 \ \text{N} \end{aligned}

Therefore, the normal reactions NB and NC on the bearing at its contact points B and C for equilibrium are 163.1759 N and 104.8874 N, respectively.