What is a simple representation that includes structural members, joints, supports, and applied forces called?

A free body diagram is a simplified representation used in engineering to illustrate the external forces acting on a system along with the structural members, joints, and supports. This diagram helps in visualizing how forces are applied and distributed throughout a structure, which is crucial for analyzing stability and equilibrium.

The primary purpose of a free body diagram is to isolate a particular component or system from its surroundings, allowing engineers to focus on the forces and moments that influence that specific part. By representing all applied forces, reactions at supports, and any relevant constraints, engineers can effectively determine how the structure responds to those forces.

While other options like a structural model and force diagram may hint at similar concepts, they lack the specific focus on depicting all applied forces and reactions for analysis purposes, which is the defining characteristic of a free body diagram. A load analysis chart, on the other hand, typically summarizes loads and does not necessarily provide a visual representation of forces acting on individual components.