The document provides an overview of the principle of virtual work (PVW) for structural analysis. Some key points:
1) PVW is based on the concept of work and energy methods. It states that for a structure in equilibrium under applied forces, the total virtual work done by these forces due to a small arbitrary displacement is zero.
2) PVW can be used to determine unknown internal forces or displacements in statically indeterminate structures by applying virtual displacements or forces.
3) Examples demonstrate using PVW to calculate the bending moment at a point in a beam and the force in a member of an indeterminate truss by equating the external virtual work to internal virtual work.