Statics with Autodesk ForceEffect
The Autodesk ForceEffect app, a mobile engineering
app for simulating design concepts in the field or in
the office, brings engineering to the point of the
problem.
Unlike the traditional approach of using paper,
pencil, and a calculator to develop equations for
design options, the ForceEffect app does all the
simulation, design, and engineering calculations for
you right on your mobile device, enabling you to
quickly and easily simulate design options during the
concept phase to determine the viability of a design.
The ForceEffect app determines the forces/moments
in elements (these are called internal
forces/moments or internal loads because they are
inside of the structure) as well as the support
reactions; that is, those forces or moments exerted
by the supports on the structure.
These forces can be sent to experts to determine
whether or not the structure will be safe from the
viewpoint of stress-based failure criteria. Or, the
experts may already have given the ForceEffect app
user the maximum allowable forces/moments for
each element of the structure. In either case, the
ForceEffect app user can alter the configuration of
the structure iteratively in order to design a failureproof structure.
Exercise requirements
These exercises require the ForceEffect app to be
installed. You can use the mobile app as well as the
desktop version.
You can download the ForceEffect app for FREE from
the iTunes app store and Google Play.
In these lessons we will use the Google Chrome
version of ForceEffect. After installing FE you can find
it on the apps tab.
Lessons
 Module One: Introduction to ForceEffect
 Module Two: Manual Analysis Example
 Module Three: Mechanical Example
 Module Four: Chair Example
 Module Five: Structural Example
Module 1: Introduction to ForceEffect
Learning objectives:
 Learn the interface of ForceEffect
 How to create diagrams (geometry, supports,
loads)
 Get the detailed information about the tools in
ForceEffect
We will start module one with the ForceEffect quick
start guide, so you can understand what ForceEffect
is and its design process. Then we will take a closer
look at the Autodesk ForceEffect interface and tools
in order to become acquainted with detailed
descriptions of FE features.
Quick Start Guide
Basics
Draw Elements
Click and drag to draw an
Element
Add Support
Click on a joint or end to add the
selected Support
Apply Force
Click on a point to apply Force
Drag to orient the Force
Type exact value of the Force
Draw Elements
Draw Elements
Click and drag to draw an Element
Snap the start or end point of the
Element to another Element,
Construction Line or joint
Create Construction Line
Click and drag to create a Construction Line
Snap the start or end of the Construction Line to
another Element, Construction Line or Joint
Refer Construction Lines to draw and edit Elements
Add Supports
Add Fixed Pin
Select the Fixed Pin tool
Click on a point or joint to add
Fixed Pin
Add Sliding Pin
Select the Sliding Pin tool
Click on a point or joint to add
Sliding Pin
Add Grounded Support
Select the Grounded Support Tool
Click on a point or joint to add
Grounded Support
Define Free Body Diagram
Define joints
Right click on any object in the diagram to display
The radial context menu and select type of joint
Set Units
Open Settings and select Units
Scale Diagram
Select any beam. In circular menu select
«scale diagram» and fill new expected
Value of the beam
Apply Loads
Apply Force
Select the Force tool
Click on any point or joint
Of an Element to apply
Force
Apply Distributed Load
Select the Distributed Load tool
Click on an Element and drag to create
Distributed Load
Add Moment
Select the moment tool
Click on a point or joint to add
Moment
Evalute Design
Reaction Forces
Reaction forces appear instantly if the DOF
is in equilibrium or overdeterminate state
and any force is attached
Report
Use the report button to see a report
for your diagram
The report is displayed in the second
tab and can be printed, or saved to a
local HTML file
Degrees of Freedom (DOF) Indicator
Fixed elements are hatched in the diagram. An icon in
the top right corner of the screen indicates state of the
system: indeterminate, equilibrium or over
determinate state.
ForceEffect interface and tools
1. Use
(the Home icon) while editing diagram
to go to the Home page. The Home page
contains sample diagrams you can use to create
new diagrams.
Use the New button to create an empty diagram.
Clicking any sample from the Home page will
create a new diagram based on the selected
sample. You can play with it, save it to Autodesk
360, or discard changes. Use the Autodesk 360
button to display your Autodesk 360 content.
2. Autodesk 360 - It is the place where all diagrams
are stored. Home contains samples and is
reachable by clicking on
(the Home icon).
You must be signed in to work with Autodesk
360. If you are not signed in, please click
the Sign-In button to sign-in to Autodesk 360.
The system keeps you signed in until you sign out
or your credentials expire.
Clicking on any part of the breadcrumbs at the
top of the diagram will start browsing the folder.
The browser will display preview pictures for any
ForceEffect file and folder icons.
Clicking on the folder icon will change the
current folder and display it in a browser.
Clicking on the ForceEffect file will load the file
to the editor and start an editing session.
Use the New button to create an empty diagram
in the current folder.
While editing a diagram, use the Save button to
save the current diagram to the Autodesk 360.
You need to be signed in to Autodesk 360. The
diagram will be saved in the current 360 folder
visible at the top of the diagram.
3. The Newly created diagram will allow you to
quickly set the background using:



(the Public Pictures icon).
(the Autodesk 360 icon). In order to
use this option, you need to have an
Autodesk 360 account.
(the Engineering paper icon).
These commands are available if the diagram is
empty. Once you add component, force, and
support, you will need to use the Set
Background command from the context menu.
You also can switch from the Statics module to
the Kinematics module of ForceEffect.
4. Use the Setting button to change unit settings
for the current diagram.
 Click Imperial or Metric to specify the units
system to be used for length and force units.
 Click Length Units to set units for length
dimensions. The Length Units setting
controls the display of length dimensions in
the diagram and units in the Value dialog
box. When you change the length units,
existing length sizes are recalculated to keep
the physical dimensions identical.

Click Force Units to set units for forces in the
diagram. The Force Units setting controls the
display of force magnitude values in the
diagram and units in the Value dialog box.
When you change the force units, existing
force values are recalculated to keep the
force identical.
 Switch on Units Visible in Sketch to display
length and force units in the diagram.
 All changes are applied once the Settings
panel is closed. Changed settings will be used
as new defaults when you create a new
diagram.
The Settings panel will close if you click outside
of the panel.
Use the Report button to see a report for your
diagram.
The report is displayed in the second tab and
can be printed, or saved to a local HTML file.
The report displays all input values and results
for all elements. If an element is selected, the
report includes only inputs and results related
to the selected element.
For equilibrium diagrams, the report lists
equilibrium equations for particular elements.
The equations comprise moment balance
(∑M = 0) and force balance (∑F[X] = 0 and ∑F[Y] =
0). The first three equations correspond to the
element
equilibrium.
Other
equations
correspond to equilibrium of joints and
supports attached to the element.
Variables used in reports:
F
Force
F[x]
Scalar component of vector F with
respect to axis x
F[y]
Scalar component of vector F with
respect to axis y
R
Reaction force
R[x]
Scalar component of vector R with
respect to axis x
R[y]
Scalar component of vector R with
respect to axis y
q
Distributed load
Q
Force corresponding to a
distributed load
G
Gravity
M
Moment
Indexes of variables ensure unique names for all
variables in the report.
The Shear Force and Moment Diagram graph is
located right below the Equations and Results
table.
5. The History Line control on the bottom of the
screen logs the drawing actions.
Undo - Click a recorded action icon in timeline
to undo the changes you made in the diagram
after the action.
Redo - Locate the green active action icon and
click any of the grayed out action icons in the
timeline on the right side.
6. Navigation Tools
 Switch to select mode
Right clicking any object will select it and
display the context menu. It will also switch
to the Select mode.
 Zoom
Use the mouse wheel to zoom in or out. The
zoom is centered on the mouse position. Or,

use the zoom button.
Pan
Press and hold mouse wheel to pan, use the
Shift key while moving the mouse to pan, or
use the pan button.
7. Degrees of freedom
Fixed elements (with DOF = 0) are highlighted in
the diagram. An icon in the top right corner of
the screen indicates the state of the system:

Indicates the diagram is in
the indeterminate state. Some elements
can move. Static calculations cannot be
executed. Add supports, welds, or
elements to fix elements that are not
highlighted.

Indicates the diagram is in
the equilibrium state.
The diagram is optimized for static
calculations. Calculation report will contain
inputs, equations, and calculation results.

Indicates over determinate (overconstrained) state. The scheme includes
redundant elements or supports. Static
calculation based on numeric methods can
be executed. The calculation report will
contain inputs and calculation results.
8. The Toolbar
Use
(the Select icon) to start interactive
selection and editing mode.
 Click and drag to select and move an
element, or change the element size. For
example, click and drag a force end to
change the force magnitude and angle.
 Right click to select an element and display
the element context menu. Then use the
context menu commands to edit the
selected element.
Use
(the Element icon) to create elements.
The tool is active until you start another
command.
To create an element, click the point on the
screen to specify the start point. Then move the
cursor and click the element end point.
 Snapping is enabled on element placement.
 Place an element start or end point on an
existing element or joint to attach it.
 Click an element dimension and specify a
dimension value to set and lock the element
length.
Use
(the Construction Line icon) to create
construction lines. The tool is active until you
start another command.
To create a construction line, click the start
point, move the cursor and click the end point of
the line.
 Construction lines snap to elements and
other construction lines.
 Place a construction line start or end point
on an existing element, another
construction line, or joint to attach it.
 Click the construction line dimension and
specify a dimension value to set and lock
the line length.
Use
(the Force icon) to specify a force in
your diagram. Only forces attached to elements
affect the calculation.
To place the force tip point, click at any point on
an existing element. Then drag and click to
specify the force end point. Position of the end
point determines magnitude and angle of the
force.
Use
(the Unknown Force icon) to add a
force of unknown magnitude to your diagram.
Use
(the Distributed Load icon) to specify
a force evenly distributed along an existing
element.
To place a distributed load, click at any point on
an existing element, and click to specify the
length of the load. Then enter magnitude of the
distributed load.
Tip: Select a distributed load symbol, and drag
the grip points to change the distributed load
angle, length, or magnitude.
Tip: Select a distributed load symbol, and drag
the grip upper corner points to change the
uniform distributed load into a variable
distributed load.
Use
(the Moment icon) to add a moment as
a load to your diagram.
To place a moment, click at an element to apply
the moment to. Then specify the moment value
in the dialog box.
Positive values are applied in a counterclockwise direction, negative values in a
clockwise direction. Length of the moment arc is
determined by moment size in relation to other
moments in the diagram.
Use
(the Sliding Pin icon) to create a sliding
pin support. The sliding pin support enables
rotation at its tip point, and movement along the
ground direction. It decreases the degrees of
freedom by 1.
To place a sliding pin, click at any point on an
existing element. Then optionally drag and click
the pin axis to change the pin rotation angle.
Rotation can be changed anytime by click-anddrag on the support.
To replace an existing support with a sliding pin,
start the Sliding Pin command from the context
menu of the replaced support.
Use
(the Fixed Pin icon) to create a fixed pin
support. The fixed pin support enables rotation
at its tip point. It decreases the degrees of
freedom (DOF) by 2.
To place a fixed pin, click at any point on an
existing element. Then optionally click to orient
the pin axis to change the pin angle. Fixed pin
angles do not affect the calculation results.
To replace an existing support with a fixed pin,
start the Fixed Pin command from the context
menu of the replaced support.
Use
(the Grounded Support icon) to add a
grounded support to your diagram.
To place a grounded support, click at any end
point of an existing element. Then optionally
drag the support axis to change the angle.
Grounded support angles do not affect the
calculation results.
To replace an existing support with a grounded
support, start the Grounded Support command
from the context menu of the replaced support.
Grounded supports:
 Do not allow rotation or movement in any
direction.
 Transfer moments between ground and
the mechanism.
 Decrease the degrees of freedom (DOF) by
3.
Tap
(the Piston icon) to add piston support
to your diagram. The piston support enables
rotation and movement at its tip point. It forces
the element to slide through one particular
point, which is the only difference from Sliding
Support. Piston support decreases the degrees
of freedom by 1.
To place a piston support, tap at any point on an
existing element. Drag to move it to a different
location.
To replace an existing support with a piston
support, tap the Piston command in the context
menu of the support you want to replace.
Use
(the Erase icon) to delete elements,
forces, moments, supports, or joints. The tool is
active until you start another command.
To erase an element, right click the element, and
use the Erase tool on the context menu.
9. Context Menu
Use
(the Scale Forces icon) to scale all
displayed forces to fit the screen. The Scale
Forces tool is available in the Application context
menu or Force context menu.
Use the Scale Forces tool to see all forces and
reactions and compare their sizes.
Use
(the Scale icon) to set the scale of your
diagram.
Use
(the Angle icon) to set the angle
between the selected force and the element it is
attached to.
Right click a force, and use the Angle tool in the
context menu. Then use the dialog box to specify
the angle value in degrees.
Use
(the Angle icon) to set angles between
elements.
Entering a numerical value sets the angle size
and updates the elements.
To lock an angle between components, create
another beam between components or weld a
connecting joint.
Use
(the Magnitude icon) to set the
magnitude of the selected force.
The dialog box accepts only positive numerical
values. The force units depend on Settings, and
are visible in the dialog box.
Use
(the Magnitude icon) to set the
magnitude of the selected moment.
Use
(the Length icon) to set the length of
the selected element.
Entering a numerical value locks the element
size. To change a locked value, enter 0 (Zero) or
delete the value in the dialog box.
Use
to see X and Y components of force
vectors.
Use
to see combined force vectors.
Use
(the Background icon) to select a
background for the diagram.
 Select an image from My Pictures, from
your Autodesk 360 files, use engineering
paper, or use a white background.
Use
to temporarily hide the background.
Use
(the Break icon) to break an element at
an attached joint.
New elements keep all original constraints
except the length constraint of the original
element.
Note: Even if the diagram geometry remains the
same, breaking an element affects calculation
results and geometry dragging.
Use
(the Weight icon) to set the mass of the
selected element.
The dialog box accepts only positive numerical
values. The units depend on the current setting,
and are visible in the dialog box.
Use
(the Fixed Joint icon) to add a fixed pin
joint at the cross point of two elements. A Fixed
Joint is used to design scissors mechanisms.
Use the Weld tool to transform a Fixed Joint to a
Weld.
Use
(the Weld icon) to create a weld in your
diagram. Weld joints transfer moments among
elements.
To replace an existing support with a weld, start
the Weld command from the context menu of
the replaced support.
When editing the diagram, welded joints and
welded crossings behave just like real welds they keep angles fixed.