Screw Theory - Work of Forces Acting On A Rigid Body

Work of Forces Acting On A Rigid Body

Consider the set of forces F1, F2 ... Fn act on the points X1, X2 ... Xn in a rigid body. The trajectories of Xi, i=1,...,n are defined by the movement of the rigid body with rotation and the translation d(t) of a reference point in the body, given by

where xi are coordinates in the moving body.

The velocity of each point Xi is

where ω is the angular velocity vector and v is the derivative of d(t).

The work by the forces over the displacement δri=viδt of each point is given by

Define the velocities of each point in terms of the twist of the moving body to obtain

Expand this equation and collect coefficients of ω and v to obtain

Introduce the twist of the moving body and the wrench acting on it given by

then work takes the form

The 6x6 matrix is used to simply the calculation of work using screws, so that

where

and is the 3x3 identity matrix.

Read more about this topic:  Screw Theory

Famous quotes containing the words work of, work, forces, acting, rigid and/or body:

    When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
    What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
    Bible: Hebrew Psalm VIII (l. VIII, 3–4)

    It’s true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure, why take the chance?
    Ronald Reagan (b. 1911)

    Ah! how much a mother learns from her child! The constant protection of a helpless being forces us to so strict an alliance with virtue, that a woman never shows to full advantage except as a mother. Then alone can her character expand in the fulfillment of all life’s duties and the enjoyment of all its pleasures.
    Honoré De Balzac (1799–1850)

    Surely, ‘tis one step towards acting well, to think worthily of our nature; and as in common life, the way to make a man honest, is, to suppose him so ... so here, to set some value upon ourselves, enables us to support the character ... of generosity and virtue.
    Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)

    The essence of statesmanship is not a rigid adherence to the past, but a prudent and probing concern for the future.
    Hubert H. Humphrey (1911–1978)

    i like my body when it is with your
    body.
    —E.E. (Edward Estlin)