Troubleshooting a FBD of a Pulley

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on troubleshooting the free body diagram (FBD) of a pulley system to determine the tension in segment DEC. The user understands the reaction components at point A and the tension in segment BE but is confused about the force equation involving the term 2(4/√96)T. This term arises from the symmetry of the system, indicating that twice the tension is needed, but the origin of the 4/√96 ratio is unclear. It is suggested that this ratio relates to a triangle formed by points C, D, and E, with the coordinates of these points being crucial for further calculations. By projecting the plane CDE onto the y-z coordinate plane, the user can determine the position of point E and subsequently calculate the length of line DE.
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Homework Statement



I'm having a bit of trouble understanding something from this:

http://gyazo.com/88a466b57d8516d2df1b12008947be43


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I understand how to get the components of reaction at ##A## as well as the tension in segment ##BE##.

What I'm having trouble with is the FBD of the pulley used to determine the tension in ##DEC##. I'm not quite sure how they have come up with a part of the force equation, namely:

##\sum F_z = 0 \Rightarrow 2(\frac{4}{\sqrt{96}})T - \frac{1}{\sqrt{5}}(1677.05) = 0##

The term ##2(\frac{4}{\sqrt{96}})T## is what is confusing. I understand you need twice the tension since it's symmetric, but how on Earth are they getting ##\frac{4}{\sqrt{96}}##?

I figure they are applying ##\frac{T_z}{T} = \frac{4}{\sqrt{96}}## to a triangle, but I'm not seeing the triangle.
 
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If you look at the diagram, write the coordinates of points C, D, and B.

When the pulleys are under tension, one can see that CDE make a triangle and a plane. You can also assume that the line BE will also lie in that same plane. You can determine the position of the point E by drawing a projection of the plane CDE in the y-z coordinate plane, and extending it to the line AB on the y-axis. Once the coordinates of point E are known, you can calculate the length of line DE, which is Sqrt (96) feet.
 
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