Course Details

1. Present the basic concepts and methods for the analysis and composition of forces, of particle equilibrium, summation of forces and moments, loading configurations, the importance of the Free Body Diagram, how to handle distributed loads, beam equilibrium, joint equilibrium.
2. Construct free body diagrams and develop equations of equilibrium for simple models.
3. Apply the principles of mechanics to the equilibrium of particles and beams, trusses, mechanisms, concepts of centroids and second moments of areas to the determination of properties of sections.
4. Analyze trusses and mechanisms using the method of joints and the method of sections.
5. Create structural models to simulate the behaviour of simple structures
6. Calculate centroids and evaluate moment of inertias for different shapes and sections.

Introduction: Understand vectors and define the relation of vectors forces. Comprehend that the properties of the vectors can be used to model and manipulate forces. Define the different support types such as the free, the roller, the pin and the fixed support. Understand the physical meaning of each support and therefore reason the development of the reactions that are developed in each support.

Equilibrium: Present the Newton’s laws, explain their physical meaning and how they are applied in engineering. Define particles and solve problems of equilibrium regarding particles using the equations for the summation of forces. Define rigid bodies and explain the concept of moment. Then solve equilibrium problems with rigid bodies including the equation for the moments.

Beams: Present “beams” in terms of their behaviour, their response to the application of the loads and the presence of the supports. Show the different types of externally applied loads (concentrated loads, distributed loads) and relate to real scenarios. Explain the concept of determinate structures. Create determinate beam configurations, apply the external loads and analyze to calculate the reactions at the supports.

Trusses: Present “trusses” in terms of their element behaviour and interconnection, their response to the application of the loads and the presence of the supports. Discuss the different truss configurations (simple truss, compound truss, complex truss). Explain the importance of the connection between the elements and discuss tension and compression. Present the methods of truss analysis (method of joints and method of sections (Ritter)). Analyze trusses to calculate element forces and support reactions.

Centroids (Center of Mass): Calculate the centroids of different shapes and sections using first principles or alternatively when possible calculate the centroids of sections by dividing them into simpler subsections with known geometrical properties.

• Engineering Mechanics – Statics SI”, Russell C. Hibbeler, Pearson Education Center; 2009.

• “Vector Mechanics for Engineers – Statics in SI units”, Ferdinand P. Beer / Johnson, Tata McGraw Hill, 2007.
• “Engineering Mechanics: Statics - SI version”, Andrew Pytel, Jaan Kiusalaas, CL-Engineering, 2010.