Question

If any external conservative force also is applied on the distributed loading then?

(a) The net force will act at the centroid of the structure only

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

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

(d) The net force will not to be considered, there would be a net force of the distribution, rest will be the external forces

I had been asked this question in a job interview.

This interesting question is from Conservative Forces topic in division Principle of Virtual Work of Engineering Mechanics

Answer 1

The correct option is (d) The net force will not to be considered, there would be a net force of the distribution, rest will be the external forces

Explanation: The external forces are treated differently. They are not added by the force of the distributed loading. That is the force not only acts at the centroid always. It can be shifted also. Depending on the external forces. Thus the use of centroid or centre of mass.