· Angle – Important to know for calculating the polar moment of area. Remember that unless a formula is using a trigonometric function, all angles need to be in radians.
· Beam – A long, straight object which is symmetrical.
· Bending – The behaviour when a slender object has a force applied perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
· Geometry – The shape of the object. Some standard geometries have set values and formulas which can make calculating values a lot easier
· Integrate – Use this process to calculate the moments of area as well as the stiffness from flexural rigidity
· Moment – Force applied multiplied by the distance to a pivot. This leads to a rotation. The force must be perpendicular to the object.
· Neutral axis – This is the line down the centre of the beam. When a beam is bent, this line will not experience compression or tension.
· Radius – This value is important for calculating the cross-sectional area of circular beams.
· Stiffness – For bending, this is the resistance from a structure when bending is taking place.
· Strain – A ratio of the change in length of an object compared with the original length
· Stress – A ratio of force applied compared with the cross-sectional area
· Torque – A force that causes rotation.
· Torsion – Twisting due to an applied force.