Question

If the non-Uniform loading is of the type of parabola then?

(a) The net load will not be formed as all the forces will be cancelled

(b) The net force will act the centre of the parabola

(c) The net force will act on the base of the loading horizontally

(d) The net force will act at the centroid of the parabola

I have been asked this question in an interview for internship.

My question comes from Reduction of a Simple Distributed Loading topic in division Force System Resultants of Engineering Mechanics

Answer 1

Correct option is (d) The net force will act at the centroid of the parabola

Explanation: The net force will act at the centroid of the parabola. Whether it be a parabola or the cubic curve the centroid is the only point at which the net force act. Force can’t be acted horizontally if the loading is vertical. Hence whatever be the shape of the loading, the centroid is the point of action of net force.