First used by Leonardo da Vinci, graphic vector analysis is a powerful method to analyze and visualize the flow of forces through a structure. However, the use of this method is restricted to statically determinate systems. In addition to forces, vectors may represent displacement, velocity, etc. Though only two-dimensional forces are described here, vectors may represent forces in three-dimensional space as well. Vectors are defined by magnitude, line of action, and direction, represented by a straight line with an arrow and defined as follows:
Magnitude is the vector length in a force scale, like 1” =10 k or 1 cm=50 kN
Line of Action is the vector slope and location in space
Direction is defined by an arrow pointing in the direction of action
1 Two force vectors P1 and P2 acting on a body pull in a certain direction. The resultant R is a force with the same results as P1 and P2 combined, pulling in the same general direction. The resultant is found by drawing a force parallelogram [A] or a force triangle [B]. Lines in the vector triangle must be parallel to corresponding lines in the vector plan [A]. The line of action of the resultant is at the intersection of P1 / P2 in the vector plan [A]. Since most structures must be at rest it is more useful to find the equilibriant E that puts a set of forces in equilibrium [C]. The equilibriant is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the resultant. The equilibriant closes a force triangle with all vectors connected head-to-tail. The line of action of the equilibriant is also at the intersection of P1/P2 in the vector plan [A].
2 The equilibriant of three forces [D] is found, combining interim resultant R1-2 of forces P1 and P2 with P3 [E]. This process may be repeated for any number of forces. The interim resultants help to clarify the process but are not required [F]. The line of action of the equilibriant is located at the intersection of all forces in the vector plan [D]. Finding the equilibriant for any number of forces may be stated as follows:
The equilibriant closes a force polygon with all forces connected head-to-tail, and puts them in equilibrium in the force plan.
3 The equilibriant of forces without a common cross-point [G] is found in stages: First the interim resultant R1-2 of P1 and P2 is found [H] and located at the intersection of P1/P2 in the vector plan [G]. P3 is then combined with R1-2 to find the equilibriant for all three forces, located at the intersection of R1-2 with P3 in the vector plan. The process is repeated for any number of forces.
![STRUCTURES VECTOR ANALYSIS]( "STRUCTURES VECTOR ANALYSIS")
Magnitude is the vector length in a force scale, like 1” =10 k or 1 cm=50 kN
Line of Action is the vector slope and location in space
Direction is defined by an arrow pointing in the direction of action
1 Two force vectors P1 and P2 acting on a body pull in a certain direction. The resultant R is a force with the same results as P1 and P2 combined, pulling in the same general direction. The resultant is found by drawing a force parallelogram [A] or a force triangle [B]. Lines in the vector triangle must be parallel to corresponding lines in the vector plan [A]. The line of action of the resultant is at the intersection of P1 / P2 in the vector plan [A]. Since most structures must be at rest it is more useful to find the equilibriant E that puts a set of forces in equilibrium [C]. The equilibriant is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the resultant. The equilibriant closes a force triangle with all vectors connected head-to-tail. The line of action of the equilibriant is also at the intersection of P1/P2 in the vector plan [A].
2 The equilibriant of three forces [D] is found, combining interim resultant R1-2 of forces P1 and P2 with P3 [E]. This process may be repeated for any number of forces. The interim resultants help to clarify the process but are not required [F]. The line of action of the equilibriant is located at the intersection of all forces in the vector plan [D]. Finding the equilibriant for any number of forces may be stated as follows:
The equilibriant closes a force polygon with all forces connected head-to-tail, and puts them in equilibrium in the force plan.
3 The equilibriant of forces without a common cross-point [G] is found in stages: First the interim resultant R1-2 of P1 and P2 is found [H] and located at the intersection of P1/P2 in the vector plan [G]. P3 is then combined with R1-2 to find the equilibriant for all three forces, located at the intersection of R1-2 with P3 in the vector plan. The process is repeated for any number of forces.
