Statics: Tension or Compression?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Determining whether a structural member is undergoing tension or compression is crucial in statics. The discussion emphasizes the importance of Free Body Diagrams (FBDs) in analyzing forces. While calculations can yield positive or negative values indicating tension or compression, understanding the member's behavior requires careful examination of the forces acting on it. Intuition and rough analysis can sometimes suffice, but precise calculations are essential for accurate assessments.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Free Body Diagrams (FBDs)
  • Basic principles of statics and force analysis
  • Knowledge of tension and compression concepts in structural mechanics
  • Ability to perform calculations related to forces and moments
NEXT STEPS
  • Study advanced techniques for analyzing Free Body Diagrams (FBDs)
  • Learn about the methods for calculating internal forces in structural members
  • Explore case studies on tension and compression in real-world structures
  • Investigate software tools for structural analysis, such as SAP2000 or ANSYS
USEFUL FOR

Engineering students, structural engineers, and professionals involved in analyzing and designing structures will benefit from this discussion.

Elfrid Payton
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
When examining a member, how do I tell whether it is undergoing tension or compression?

It's more of a general question, but since a visual might help with the explanation, this could be useful:

3Nr8op8.png
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Elfrid Payton said:
When examining a member, how do I tell whether it is undergoing tension or compression?
You can calculate it.
Sometimes intuition and some rough analysis are sufficient, sometimes they are not.
 
mfb said:
You can calculate it.
Sometimes intuition and some rough analysis are sufficient, sometimes they are not.

The calculations are not the problem. Figuring out whether the members are undergoing tension or compression for the FBDs is what I'm having trouble with.
 
The calculations will give you negative or positive values. There is no need to know that in advance.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Understanding Friction and Tension in Static vs. Dynamic Scenarios
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Graduate Non-quasi-static Air Compression Calculation
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad What determines the direction of static friction forces?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad My understanding of tension is a little loose....
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Undergrad How is the net force on the system equal to 0 initially?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
1K
High School Limiting case for an Atwood's machine
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
720
High School Curious about the work - energy theorem
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
High School The physics of flywheel launchers (like tennis ball shooters)
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
6K
High School What is tension and how does it affect a rope?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Why is my experimental spring constant an order of magnitude off?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K