2/18/2014

Engineering Mechanics Statics

11.01

Virtual Work

Engineering Mechanics Statics

Nguyen Tan Tien

11.03

Virtual Work

1. Definition of Work
- The work done by a force
= =
: work
: force that done the work

Engineering Mechanics Statics

11.05

Virtual Work

HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Mechanics Statics

11.04

Nguyen Tan Tien

Virtual Work

1. Definition of Work
- Virtual work
Consider an imaginary or virtual movement of a body in static
equilibrium, which indicates a displacement or rotation that is
assumed and does not actually exist
The virtual work done by a force having a virtual
displacement
=
The virtual work done by a couple having a virtual
rotation in the plane of the couple forces
=

: (, )
: displacement
- The work done by a couple
=
: couple that do the work
: small angle of rotation

HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

11.02

Chapter Objectives
To introduce the principle of virtual work and show how it
applies to finding the equilibrium configuration of a system of
pin-connected members
To establish the potential-energy function and use the potential
energy method to investigate the type of equilibrium or stability
of a rigid body or system of pin-connected members

11. Virtual Work

HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Mechanics Statics

Nguyen Tan Tien

Virtual Work

2. Principle of Virtual Work

- If a body is in equilibrium, then the algebraic sum of the virtual
work done by all the forces and couple moments acting on the
body, is zero for any virtual displacement of the body = 0
- Example

HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Mechanics Statics

11.06

Nguyen Tan Tien

Virtual Work

2. Principle of Virtual Work

- Example

Imagine the beam is given a virtual rotation about point

Imagine the ball to be displaced downwards a virtual amount
the weight does positive virtual work
+
the normal force does negative virtual work
For equilibrium, the total virtual work must be zero
= = = 0
Since 0, then = as required by applying = 0
HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Nguyen Tan Tien

the only forces that do work are and

The virtual work equation for this case
= = (/2) = ( /2) = 0
Since 0 then = /2
Excluding , notice that the terms in parentheses actually
represent the application of = 0
HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Nguyen Tan Tien

2/18/2014

Engineering Mechanics Statics

11.07

Virtual Work

3. Principle of Virtual Work for a System of Connected Rigid Bodies

- Utilize the principle of virtual work
To determine active forces that maintain the system in
equilibrium
To determine the equilibrium positions
To relate the work done by conservative forces with potential
energy

Engineering Mechanics Statics

11.08

Virtual Work

3. Principle of Virtual Work for a System of Connected Rigid Bodies

- Example 11.1 Determine the angle for equilibrium of the
two-member linkage. Each member has a mass of 10
Solution
Free-body diagram
Virtual displacements
Fixed pin support
Position coordinate : , :
= 2 1 = 2
= 0.5 1 = 0.5
Virtual work equations
= + + = 0
98.1 0.5 + 98.1 0.5 + 25 2 = 0
= 1

HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Mechanics Statics

11.09

Nguyen Tan Tien

Virtual Work

3. Principle of Virtual Work for a System of Connected Rigid Bodies

- Example 11.2 Determine the required
force needed to maintain equilibrium
of the scissors linkage when = 600.
The spring is unstretched when =
300 . Neglect the mass of the links
Solution
Free-body diagram
=
= 5000 0.3 0.3300
= 1500 750 ()
Virtual displacements

98.1
= 63.00
50

HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Mechanics Statics

Engineering Mechanics Statics

11.11

Nguyen Tan Tien

Virtual Work

Virtual Work

3. Principle of Virtual Work for a System of Connected Rigid Bodies

Virtual displacements
Position coordinate : , :
= 0.3 = 0.3
= 0.9 = 0.9
Virtual work equations
= + = 0
1500 750 0.3
+ 0.9 = 0
0.9 + 225 450 = 0
= 500 250
when = 600 ,
= 500600 250
= 183

Position coordinate : , :
= 0.3 = 0.3
= 0.9 = 0.9
HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

11.10

Nguyen Tan Tien

HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Mechanics Statics

11.12

Nguyen Tan Tien

Virtual Work

3. Principle of Virtual Work for a System of Connected Rigid Bodies

- Example 11.3 If the box has a mass of 10, determine the
couple moment needed to maintain
equilibrium when = 600 . Neglect the
mass of the members
Solution
Free-body diagram
Virtual displacements
= 0.45 +
= 0.45
Virtual work equations
= 10 9.81 = 0
( 44.145) = 0
= 44.145600 = 22.1

3. Principle of Virtual Work for a System of Connected Rigid Bodies

- Example 11.4 The mechanism supports the 50 cylinder.
Determine the angle for equilibrium if the
spring has an unstretched length of 2
when = 00 . Neglect the mass of the
members
Solution
Free-body diagram
= = 200 2 2 = 400(1 )
Virtual displacements
= ; = 3; = 2
= ; = 3; = 2
Virtual work equations
= + 50 = 0
= 34.90

HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

HCM City Univ. of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Nguyen Tan Tien

Nguyen Tan Tien