Statics › Section H · Internal forces › Topic H.1
Internal forces and sign conventions
Every loaded beam is being pulled, sheared and bent inside, at every point along its length. This topic shows how to expose those hidden forces by cutting the body in your imagination, and fixes the sign convention used for them throughout this section.
In this topic
- Forces you cannot see
- Cutting a straight two-force member
- A bent member needs more
- Normal force, shear force and bending moment
- Why a new sign convention is needed
- The beam sign convention
- Assume positive, then read the signs
- Worked example: a bent bracket
- Worked example: a cantilever's sign
- Sagging, hogging and design
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Key takeaways
This topic is part of Wuanberri Pro. Checking your access…