In statics, creating a Free Body Diagram (FBD) is really important when looking at how forces affect structures. Let’s break it down step by step.

First, you need to focus on the object you are looking at.

Imagine taking it out of its surroundings while still showing any support and forces acting on it.

Use a simple shape to outline the object. This makes it easier to work with.

Next, find and show all the outside forces that are acting on the object. Here’s what you need to include:

• Weight ($W$): This is the heaviness of the object pulling it down. We usually show this as an arrow pointing towards the ground, where the Earth is.

• Applied Forces ($F_a$): These are the forces pushing or pulling on the object. This can include things like stretching (tension), squeezing (compression), or any outside loads. Use arrows to show where these forces come from and how strong they are. Make sure to use the same measurement, usually in Newtons (N).

• Support Reactions ($R$): If the object is being held up by something, we need to show those reaction forces too. This includes normal forces that push up from surfaces, friction that tries to stop motion, and any other relevant forces based on how the object is supported (like pinned, roller, or fixed supports).

Don’t forget to label each force with its value and direction. If you have complicated forces, you can break them down into smaller parts. This means showing the horizontal ($F_x$) and vertical components ($F_y$) using directions like $\cos$ and $\sin$ for angles.

Finally, make sure to stick to a consistent way of showing directions. Usually, we choose one direction as positive for forces.

By following these steps to draw your FBD, you can clearly see and solve problems about static equilibrium, which is all about objects that are not moving.