VirtualWork Defined

  • Virtual (vûr' choo-el) Existing in essence or effect though not in actual fact or form. 
  • Work (wûrk) Physical or mental effort, the means to earn one's livelihood. 

 

Virtual Work is the principle formulated by Johann Bernoulli stating:

"If an elastic structure is in equilibrium under a given system of loads and temperature distribution, then for any virtual displacement away from a compatible state of deformation the virtual work is equal to the virtual strain energy."

This is heavy stuff...

 

We prefer to think of VirtualWork this way:

"When you use IES tools it appears that you are working, when in fact, you are playing: creating and executing wonderful designs, resulting in the appearance of actual work."