Analysis of internal forces

Consider a body of any arbitrary shape acted upon different forces, in order to investigate we
will take an exploratory section A-A through the loaded member.

Here we consider cases only involving static equilibrium, now to show the components of
internal effects on section A-A

The origin of the reference axis is always taken at the centroid which is the key reference
point of selection, now looking at the notation used here the first subscript denotes the face
on which the component of force acts while the second subscript indicates the direction of
particular component of force thus is the force on x face acting in the y direction.

Each component reflects a different effect and is given a different name

Axial force it is the force acting perpendicular to the cross section or parallel to the area
vector, this component measures the pulling or pushing to the section. A pull represents
tensile force while push represents compressive force. It is often denoted by P

University of Engineering and technology Peshawar, Pakistan By Muhammad Bilal

 , Shear forces the resistance to sliding of one portion of section over another, usually
represented by V it effects the shape of the object not the dimensions of the object which is
under deformed load.
Also define as the force perpendicular to the area vector of cross section. In the figure the
section a and a will slide over each other resulting in shearing deformation

Torque when a member is subjected to twisting it shows some resistance this resistance
is actually torque represented by T, it is also a component of internal effects and it is caused
by axial forces either tension or compression

Bending moments the resistance to bending about an axis, it is caused by shearing

forces it should be noted that there is a big difference between bending and twisting

Bending twisting

Conclusions:
A maximum of six internal effects can act on a cross-section
Shearing force cause deformation in shape
Axial force can change the dimensions of cross-section i.e. in tension it becomes
lengthen while in compression it shortens
Bending moments is associated with shearing forces while torque or twisting is
associated with axial forces

University of Engineering and technology Peshawar, Pakistan By Muhammad Bilal