Types of Simple Forces

1  There are different types of forces that act in different ways on structures such as bridges, chairs, buildings, and even people. The main examples of these forces are explained below. Study the descriptions in this text and then draw a diagram or picture to represent each of these forces.

1.1  A Static Load : A good example of a static load is a person holding a stack of books while waiting in a line but not moving. The downward force is STATIC.

1.2  A Dynamic Load : A good example of a dynamic load is the person carrying the same books but walking. The downward force is a complex set of moving or DYNAMIC force.

1.3  Internal Resistance : A person sitting on a bicycle with air filled tires is placing great pressure through the tire to the ground. The air pressure inside of the tire pushes back against the riders weight and causes INTERNAL RESISTANCE.

1.4  Tension : A rope is in tension as two people push1 on it. This stress places the rope in TENSION.

1.5  Compression : A weight lifter finds that his body is compressed ( being smashed) by the weight(s) that he is holding above his head.

1.6  Shear Forces : A good example of shear force can be seen with a pair of scissors. The handles put force in different directions on a pin (usually a screw) that holds the two halves of the shears together. The force applied to the connecting pin is called shear force.


Footnotes:

1That is right, I said push. Physically it is impossible to "pull" anything. For example when you grasp a rope you are actually pressing/pushing your hands into the surface of the rope - any force is then transmitted through the surface of your hands through the ropes tension. The same analogy can be made for a railway locomotive and a trailing car. The couplers are actually pushing against each other, the inside of the leading coupler presses against the back of the trailing/following coupler.


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On 17 Dec 2005, 20:07.