Virtual Work: Principle of Virtual Work I

This lecture introduces the concept of virtual work, covering the work of a force, work of a couple, potential energy, and the principle of virtual work. It explains the stability of equilibrium states and provides examples related to infinitesimal calculus. The lecture also discusses the generalization of infinitesimal work, the direction of force components, and the total work done by a force. Furthermore, it explores the concept of potential forces and how they can be obtained from their potential. The lecture concludes with the principle of virtual work, emphasizing that a mechanical system is in equilibrium when the virtual work of external loads vanishes during arbitrary virtual displacements.