Determining the number of degrees of freedom

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
10 replies · 2K views
Amaelle
Messages
318
Reaction score
55
Good day
I have issue to understand why in the second case we still have 1 degree of freedom, because according to my understanding ( the circles for me represent the trajectory of the rotation of the two segment, and according to it the two segments can't rotate simultaneously. but according to the book , in the second case the vertical displacement of point B is a allowed?
any hints would be highly appreciated thanks!
 
Attachments
  • degree of freedom.png
    degree of freedom.png
    13.7 KB · Views: 734
Physics news on Phys.org
Are the sections allowed to bend and stretch ?
 
BvU said:
Are the sections allowed to bend and stretch ?
I thought it was a mechanical engineering section, so any question regarding this topics should be accepted
 
The context eludes me. Both pictures have h = v - n = (2+2+2) - (3+3) = 0 as 'explaining' text !?
I also don't follow what the circles represent.
Amaelle said:
I thought it was a mechanical engineering section
If you don't know (and don't give more context), who does ?
so any question regarding this topics should be accepted
Ah, you mean the ME forum ? Yes, all and any question is Ok. But you can influence your chances to get sensible assistance by helping the helpers :smile:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Amaelle
the circles represent rotational motion of the two segments around the hinges on points A and C, I have uploaded another picture to illustrate the point
motion.png
 
Attachments
  • motion.png
    motion.png
    8.2 KB · Views: 788
n represents the degree of freedom , v the number of constraint, and h is the degree of static determinacy,
 
Amaelle said:
the circles represent rotational motion
Ah, but in this second picture the axis of rotation is at the support points -- much more sensible
Amaelle said:
n represents the degree of freedom , v the number of constraint, and h is the degree of static determinacy
Confusion again. Probably n represents the number of degrees of freedom ? Of what ? Where does the 3+3 come from ?
v is the number of constraints. Fine. Of what ? Of points A, B and C ? Where does the 2+2+2 come from ?
I can guess, but you might clarify things first ...

I suppose a circle means a hinge -- what about the cups at A and C ?
 
Thanks Bvu for your prompt reply and sorry for all that troubles!
let me better explain: n explain the degree of freedoms, we have two bodies assembled via an internal hinge, so degree of freedom of the system is 3+3 =6
v is the number of constraints : we have two hinges and one internal hinges so the number of constraints is 2+2+2=6

As you might know the hinges only prevent horizontal and vertical displacement not rotation and the the rotation shown on the pic are the rotations around the hinges A and C,
Thanks!
 
BvU said:
I suppose a circle means a hinge -- what about the cups at A and C ?
 
How do you deduct a possible sense of rotation ? Both cups at A
upload_2017-12-10_22-20-0.png
and C
upload_2017-12-10_22-18-57.png
look the same to me
upload_2017-12-10_22-19-30.png
this being the one at C

( Maybe I gave them a wrong name ? half-circles ? )In both figures in post #1 they use the same n (3+3) and conclude the same h (0) in the captions.

Is there more to this than we assume so far ? Would the left figure upside down also conclude 'no rigid body motions' ?

In that case, where does the transition take place from 'no rigid body motions' to 'vertical displacement of point B is allowed!' ? only when ab and bc are prefectly aligned ? or in a region around that ? What can cause such a discontinuity ?
 
Attachments
  • upload_2017-12-10_22-18-48.png
    upload_2017-12-10_22-18-48.png
    376 bytes · Views: 604
  • upload_2017-12-10_22-18-57.png
    upload_2017-12-10_22-18-57.png
    376 bytes · Views: 514
  • upload_2017-12-10_22-19-30.png
    upload_2017-12-10_22-19-30.png
    979 bytes · Views: 520
  • upload_2017-12-10_22-20-0.png
    upload_2017-12-10_22-20-0.png
    324 bytes · Views: 510