Structure Analysis

The consideration of a structure as a rigid body can help in determining the reactions of support and connection on the structure. These reactions are external force acting on the structure.

But it is also important to understand the inter-component forces acting between the component parts of the structure. These forces can be considered as the internal forces of the rigid structure. As state in Newton's third law, the forces of action and reaction between two contact bodies have the same magnitude and line of action but in opposite sense. Forces between two components at the frictionless pin connection exerted by each other is also equal and opposite. Therefore each component parts of a structure can be consider itself as a free body also. By exploring forces in each component parts of structure, a better understanding on the characteristics of the structure can be gained.