Force Systems

Force Systems

• All forces acting on an object constitute a system of forces or a force system. The different types of force systems which are illustrated in Fig. 1.10.1 are as follows:

1. Coplanar force system: 

It consists of forces which have lines of action in the same plane.

2. Non-coplanar force system (Space forces or three dimensional force system): 

It consists of forces whose lines of action do not lie in one plane.

3. Concurrent force system: 

It consists of forces whose lines of action intersect at a single point. Concurrent force systems can be coplanar or non-coplanar.

4. Non-concurrent force system: 

It consists of forces whose lines of action do not intersect at a single point.

5. Collinear force system: 

It consists of forces which act along the same straight line. 

6. Non-collinear force system:

It consists of forces which do not act along the same line.

7. Parallel force system: 

It consists of forces which have parallel lines of action. If all the forces act in the same direction, the force system is called like parallel force system. If the forces do not act in same direction it is called unlike parallel force system.