Complete RGPV exam-oriented page covering concurrent and non-concurrent forces, graphical and analytical treatment of forces, free body diagram, Bow’s notation, plane trusses, method of joints, method of sections and frictional force problems.
Forces and Equilibrium important topics
Easy revision notes for RGPV exam
Force is a push or pull acting on a body which changes or tends to change the state of rest or motion. It has magnitude, direction, point of application and line of action.
Forces whose lines of action meet at one point are called concurrent forces. These are commonly used in equilibrium problems.
A body is in equilibrium when resultant of all forces acting on it is zero. For plane force system, ∑Fx = 0, ∑Fy = 0 and ∑M = 0.
FBD is a sketch showing all external forces acting on an isolated body. It simplifies force analysis and helps in solving equilibrium numericals.
Graphical method uses vector diagrams like triangle law, polygon law and parallelogram law of forces for approximate solutions.
Analytical method uses algebraic equations. Forces are resolved into components and equilibrium equations are applied to find unknown values.
A truss is a structure made of connected members forming triangular units. Members are assumed pin-jointed and loads act only at joints.
Method of joints is used to determine forces in truss members by applying equilibrium equations at each joint.
Method of sections is used to find forces in selected truss members directly by cutting the truss section and applying equilibrium equations.
Friction is the resisting force acting between two surfaces in contact. It acts opposite to motion and is proportional to normal reaction.
Most important formulas
High chance RGPV exam questions
Repeated questions from RGPV previous year papers
| Topic | Repeated Questions | Frequency | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method of Joints | Truss analysis, explanation and numerical problems | Very High | ★★★★★ |
| Free Body Diagram | Explain FBD and draw FBD for equilibrium problems | Very High | ★★★★★ |
| Method of Sections | Selected truss member forces and numerical problems | Very High | ★★★★★ |
| Equilibrium of Forces | Conditions of equilibrium and coplanar force problems | High | ★★★★ |
| Friction Problems | Laws of friction and numerical problems | High | ★★★★ |
| Graphical Treatment | Triangle law, polygon law and parallelogram law | Medium | ★★★ |
| Analytical Treatment | Force components and equilibrium equations | Medium | ★★★ |
| Bow’s Notation | Graphical statics and force diagram notation | Medium | ★★★ |
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Common student doubts
Method of joints, free body diagram, method of sections, equilibrium of forces and friction problems are most important.
Truss analysis by method of joints, truss analysis by method of sections, equilibrium problems, resultant force and friction numericals are important.
Free body diagrams, truss diagrams, force diagrams and Bow’s notation diagrams are important.