ABSTRACT

Forces arise in distributed form either throughout bodies (e.g. gravitational, inertia or magnetic forces) or over surfaces (e.g. fluid pressures or pressures between bodies). In equilibrium investigations, it is convenient to work with concentrated forces which are idealised 'resultants' of the distributed forces. There are three parameters which are important for force resultants namely,

a magnitude (typical units being Newtons); b line of action; c point of action.