In the world of statics, understanding how different forces interact is very important. One tool that helps us with this is called a free body diagram (FBD).
An FBD shows a single object separated from everything around it, with all the forces acting on it drawn out. By looking closely at these diagrams, we can see if everything is balanced, or in equilibrium.
What is Equilibrium?
To understand free body diagrams, we first need to know what equilibrium means. A system is in equilibrium when all the forces and moments (or turning effects) acting on it add up to zero.
This can be written as:
These rules help us know when an object isn’t moving or spinning.
How to Make a Free Body Diagram
To make an FBD and find out about forces in equilibrium, follow these steps:
Pick the Object: Choose the object you want to analyze, like a beam or a column.
Isolate the Body: Picture the object without any supports or other objects around it.
Draw the Object: Start with a basic outline of the object.
In the world of statics, understanding how different forces interact is very important. One tool that helps us with this is called a free body diagram (FBD).
An FBD shows a single object separated from everything around it, with all the forces acting on it drawn out. By looking closely at these diagrams, we can see if everything is balanced, or in equilibrium.
What is Equilibrium?
To understand free body diagrams, we first need to know what equilibrium means. A system is in equilibrium when all the forces and moments (or turning effects) acting on it add up to zero.
This can be written as:
These rules help us know when an object isn’t moving or spinning.
How to Make a Free Body Diagram
To make an FBD and find out about forces in equilibrium, follow these steps:
Pick the Object: Choose the object you want to analyze, like a beam or a column.
Isolate the Body: Picture the object without any supports or other objects around it.
Draw the Object: Start with a basic outline of the object.