Schuinval

Schuinval is a Dutch term that literally means "slanted fall" or "inclined descent." It is used in several technical contexts to denote movement, force, or impact that occurs along an oblique direction relative to a reference plane. There is no single universal definition; the exact meaning depends on the discipline.

In physics and engineering, schuinval describes an oblique load or impact, where a force acts at an angle rather than perpendicularly to a surface. Analyses often involve resolving the force into components parallel and perpendicular to the surface, with the schuinval component contributing to shear or sliding effects.

In geotechnical and civil engineering contexts, the term can refer to sliding or failure on an inclined plane, such as a landslide on a hillside or a structural member experiencing an off-axis load. The emphasis is on the angle of movement or stress relative to a reference orientation rather than on vertical descent alone.

Because schuinval is not a standardized technical term across all fields, its usage may vary by region and discipline. It is most commonly encountered in Dutch-language engineering and physics literature as a descriptive, rather than a formal, concept.

See also: oblique force, incline plane, shear, angle of incidence.