AXIAL MEMBERS AND BEAMS

Question 1

What is the MINIMUM TOTAL POTENTIAL ENERGY PRINCIPLE?

Answer 1

• for a stable system, the displacement at the equilibrium position occurs such that the value of the system’s total potential energy is a minimum

Question 2

What is a BEAM?

Answer 2

• A structural member whose cross-sectional dimensions are significantly smaller than its length
• Can be loaded at any point along its length (unlike truss which can only be loaded at nodes)