Skycart said:Thanks for the info about posting on the forum. I didn't list equations because there are not really any conventional equations like in physics. About the only thing to do is sum the x and y forces and then sum the moments. V stands for shear force. M stands for moment. F stands for axial force. Thanks for the replies!
The first step is to draw a free body diagram of the system, identifying all the forces acting on it. Then, apply Newton's first and second laws to set up equations for the system. Next, determine the unknown variables and solve the equations using algebraic methods. Finally, check the solution by plugging it back into the equations and making sure they are satisfied.
To find the forces and moments at a specific point, P or Q in this case, you will need to use the equations of equilibrium. These equations state that the sum of all forces in the x, y, and z directions must equal zero, and the sum of all moments about any point must also equal zero. By setting up and solving these equations, you can determine the forces and moments at the desired point.
Knowing the forces and moments at specific points allows you to understand the behavior of the system at those points. This information is crucial in designing structures and machines that can withstand the forces acting upon them and remain in equilibrium.
In statics, you will often encounter problems with more than two unknown variables. In these cases, you will need to set up additional equations to solve for all the unknowns. These equations can come from additional free body diagrams or using other principles such as the principle of virtual work.
The best way to check the solution to a statics problem is to plug it back into the original equations and see if they are satisfied. If the equations are not satisfied, then there is an error in your solution, and you will need to go back and check your work. Additionally, you can also use common sense and engineering judgment to verify if the solution is reasonable and makes sense in the context of the problem.