Statics: Analyses of Systems in Equilibrium

Abstract

Statics is an area within the field of applied mechanics that is concerned with the analysis of rigid bodies in equilibrium. In mechanics, the term equilibrium implies that the body of concern is either at rest or moving with a constant velocity. A rigid body is one that is assumed to undergo no deformation under the effect of externally applied forces. In reality, there is no rigid material and the concept is an approximation. For some applications, the extent of deformations involved may be so small that the inclusion of the deformation characteristics of the material may not influence the desired analysis. In such cases, the material may be treated as a rigid body.