The purpose of calculating bending moments and second moment of area is to understand and analyze the structural integrity and stability of a material or object when subjected to external forces. This information is crucial in designing and building structures that can withstand the forces they will be exposed to.
Bending moment is the measure of the internal force that causes a material or object to bend or deform under an applied load. It is the product of the force applied and the distance from the point of application to the point of support or rotation.
The second moment of area, also known as the moment of inertia, is a measure of how an object's cross-sectional area is distributed about a specific axis. It directly affects the bending stiffness of an object, and therefore, its resistance to bending moments.
The bending moment and second moment of area are affected by the material properties, cross-sectional shape, and geometry of an object. Additionally, the magnitude and direction of the applied load also play a significant role in determining these values.
Bending moments and second moment of area can be calculated using mathematical equations and integration methods. Alternatively, they can also be found using specialized software or by performing physical experiments on a physical model of the object.