graphical statics

Graphical statics is a method within the field of statics, a branch of physics concerned with forces acting on bodies at rest under equilibrium conditions. It provides analytical and graphical procedures to help architects and engineers determine the forces acting on the interconnected parts of structures like buildings and bridges.1

Statics assumes bodies are perfectly rigid and that the sum of all forces and torques acting on a body at rest must be zero for it to be in equilibrium. When more than three unknown forces exist, the system is considered statically indeterminate. Graphical methods, such as bar graphs, pie charts, and histograms, are used in descriptive statistics to visually represent and interpret data, which can be applied to understanding the forces within structures.123