In engineering analysis, like designing a highway curve, why is the centrifugal force term often used despite being fictitious in pure dynamics?

Answer

It simplifies the initial free-body diagram analysis regarding structural loads

For engineers concerned with structural stability and load bearing, treating the outward push as a calculable load vector (centrifugal force) in the free-body diagram is often more intuitive and actionable.

In engineering analysis, like designing a highway curve, why is the centrifugal force term often used despite being fictitious in pure dynamics?

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