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Topic areas
Mechanical engineering
- Direct forces
- Concurrent co-planar forces
- Force diagrams
- Resultant of a set of co-planar forces
- Conditions for equilibrium and motion
- Newton’s second Law, F = ma
Mathematics
- Vector addition
- Resolving a vector into two perpendicular components
- Trigonometric functions for sine and cosine
- Trigonometric identities
- Simultaneous equations
Pre-requisites
None.
Problem statement
Mechanical design engineering is the basis of every engineered structure, whether static (non-moving) or dynamic (moving). One very important aspect is the calculation of the forces acting within and upon a structure and using these to ensure any design will be able to withstand the stresses and strains expected of it without failure.
For example, in the crane image, the cables must be strong enough to lift and move the bucket, while the rigid mechanical frame must be able to support the load without buckling. Additionally, the whole crane must be stable so that it does not tip over when manoeuvring a full bucket. How can the forces acting on a structure be determined and how do they change when an object that is initially stationary starts to move?
Interactives
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Click the image to load resolve forces interactive.
Click the image to load resolve forces bucket interactive.