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Virtual work2D

Pulley-system virtual work

Apply constraint-compatible virtual displacements to levers, pulleys, mechanisms, and force-direction optimization.

Open the complete lesson

Advanced engineering statics simulation

Virtual Work Equilibrium Suite

Five distinct, constraint-compatible virtual-work models; efficiency is separated from geometry.

Use the rope-length constraint δsin=nδy; efficiency changes required force, not the kinematic displacement ratio.

Applied load
120 N
N
20400

Drag for exploration or enter an exact value. Press Enter to apply and Escape to restore.

Supporting rope segments
4
110

Drag for exploration or enter an exact value. Press Enter to apply and Escape to restore.

Mechanical efficiency
0.90
0.501.00

Drag for exploration or enter an exact value. Press Enter to apply and Escape to restore.

compatible virtual motion
δsinδyEach supporting segment shortens by δy
Required input
33.333 N
Virtual-work residual
1.42e-14 N
Should be near zero
Rope displacement ratio
4:1
Geometry only
Efficiency
90.0%
Changes force, not rope constraint
δsin=nδy,ηPδsinWδy=0\delta s_{in}=n\,\delta y,\qquad \eta P\delta s_{in}-W\delta y=0

The number of supporting segments fixes displacement compatibility. Efficiency accounts for loss in the work balance.

Concept question: Predict the required input force.

Model scope and verification

Scope: Educational rigid-body statics model using the selected geometry, stated idealizations, and displayed SI units.

Acceptance check: Check the governing equilibrium, compatibility, geometry, or limiting-condition statement before accepting the numerical result.