Question

An 78.2 kg construction worker sits down 1.93 m from the end of a 1349.4 kg steel beam to eat his lunch. The cable supporting the beam is rated at 15354 N. Should the worker be worried? (To answer that question calculate the tension in the cble. Use θ=29°, L=6.2 m.)

Answer 1

The answer is that the worker should not be worried.

Step-by-step explanation:

At equilibrium position, the net torque is equal to zero

∑tnet = 0

((-mg) * (D/2)) + ((-mg) * (D-d)) + (T * sinθ * D) = 0

Clearing the tension in the cable T:

`T=(Mg(D/2)+mg(D-d))/(D*sinO) =((1349.4*9.8*(6.2/2))+(78.2*9.8*(6.2-1.93)))/(6.2*sin29) =14727.24N`

Since this tension (14727.24 N) is less than the nominal tension (15354 N), the worker should not be concerned.