What property does the static force determine in a body?

The static force in a body relates directly to the state of equilibrium. When static forces are acting on a structure or body, they establish conditions under which the sum of forces and moments acting on the body equals zero. This means that the structure is neither accelerating nor rotating, indicating that it is in a state of rest or equilibrium.

In engineering mechanics, achieving equilibrium is crucial for ensuring that structures can safely carry loads without collapsing or undergoing unwanted deformations. Therefore, static forces are essential in assessing whether a body will remain stable under a given load.

In contrast, dynamic loads involve forces that change over time and are not solely governed by static conditions, and therefore do not directly determine the state of equilibrium. The rate of deformation pertains to how quickly a material changes shape under a load, which involves dynamic considerations. Lastly, while shear strength of soil is relevant to geotechnical engineering, it is not a direct determination of static forces acting on a body.