Force elements and reaction forces

Abstract

In the present chapter some of the most relevant applied forces and joint reaction forces are introduced. There are many types of forces that can be present in multibody systems, such as gravitational forces, spring-damper-actuator forces, normal contact forces, tangential or frictional forces, external applied forces and moments, forces due to elasticity of bodies, and thermal, electrical and magnetic forces. However, only the first six types of forces are relevant in the multibody systems of common application.