CLASSIFICATION OF FORCE SYSTEM IN MECHANICS

We have started a new topic in our previous post i.e. engineering mechanics. We have seen there the basics of engineering mechanics such as concept of force system and principle of transmissibility of forces and its limitations.

As we have the basic information about the force system in engineering mechanics after reading the previous post. Now, we will be interested to understand here the classification of force system in mechanics with the help of this post.

Classification of force system in mechanics

Force system is basically defined as the mechanics problem where more than one force is acting on the system.

We will classify here the force system and after that we will read and understand each type of force in detail.

Coplanar forces

When a set of forces lie in the same plane, that set of forces will be termed as coplanar force system. The line of action of all the forces in coplanar force system will lie in a single plane.

Fig: Coplanar force system

Non- coplanar forces

When a set of forces do not lie in the same plane, that set of forces will be termed as non-coplanar force system. The line of action of all the forces in non-coplanar force system will not lie in a single plane.

Fig: Non-coplanar force system

Collinear force system

When a set of forces will have a common line of action, that set of forces will be termed as collinear force system. The line of action of all the forces will be common.

Fig: Collinear force system

Parallel force system

When the line of action of a set of forces are parallel, that set of forces will be termed as parallel force system. The line of action of all the forces will be parallel with each other as displayed here in following figure.

Fig: Parallel force system

Concurrent force system

When a set of forces are acting on a system in such a way that the line of action of all the forces intersect each other at a common point. That set of forces will be termed as concurrent force system.

The common point where the line of action of all the forces meet will be termed as point of concurrency.

We must note it here that concurrent forces may or may not be coplanar forces.

Fig: Concurrent force system

Non- concurrent force system

When a set of forces are acting on a system in such a way that the line of action of all the forces do not intersect each other at a common point i.e. point of concurrency. That set of forces will be termed as non-concurrent force system.

Parallel force system will be the best example of such type of force system i.e. non-concurrent force system.

We must note it here that non-concurrent forces may or may not be coplanar forces.

Therefore, we have seen here the classification of force system along with its respective example with the help of this post.

Further, we will see the composition of forces and resolution of forces in engineering mechanics with the help of our next post.

Do you have any suggestions? Please write in comment box and also drop your email id in the given mail box which is given at right hand side of page for further and continuous update from www.hkdivedi.com.

Further we will find out, in our next post, composition of forces and resolution of forces and body forces and surface forces in engineering mechanics.