Virtual Work

The principle of virtual work states that if a body is in static and dynamic equilibrium, then the sum of all the virtual work done by all external forces and couple moments for any given virtual displacement must be zero.

In static equilibrium, a body can experience an imaginary or virtual movement, such as displacement or rotation. The ...

Consider a body in static equilibrium undergoing an infinitesimal small virtual displacement or a rotation.

The virtual work done is the product of the virtual force and displacement. Similarly for a virtual rotation, the work done is the product of the moment and virtual angular displacement.

The principle of virtual work states t...