Coplanar Parallel Force System

Parallel forces can be in the same or in opposite directions. The sign of the direction can be
chosen arbitrarily, meaning, taking one direction as positive makes the opposite direction
negative. The complete definition of the resultant is according to its magnitude, direction, and
line of action.

R=ΣF=F1+F2+F3+...

Rd=ΣFx=F1x1+F2x2+F3x3+...

Resultant of Distributed Loads

The resultant of a distributed load is equal to the area of the load diagram. It is acting at the
centroid of that area as indicated. The figure below shows the three common distributed loads
namely; rectangular load, triangular load, and trapezoidal load.
 Rectangular Load
R=woL

Triangular Load
R=12woL

Trapezoidal Load
R=wo1L+12(wo2−wo1)L

Spatial Parallel Force System

The resultant of parallel forces in space will act at the point where it will create equivalent
translational and rotational (moment) effects in the system.
Moment of Inertia and Radius of Gyration
Moment of Inertia
Moment of inertia, also called the second moment of area, is the product of area and the square
of its moment arm about a reference axis.

Moment of inertia about the x-axis:

Ix=∫y2dA

Moment of inertia about the y-axis:

Iy=∫x2dA

Polar Moment of Inertia:

Polar moment of inertia is the moment of inertia about about the z-axis.

J=Ix+Iy

J=∫r2dA