20806232Statics
Course Information
Description
Statics is the study of particle and rigid body equilibrium. This class will give students the mathematical and analytical tools required to calculate forces transmitted to different parts of a structure, given a set of loads acting on it. A course in Statics is a fundamental component of many engineering degrees.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Apply general Physics concepts
    Assessment Strategies
    Homework assignments, quiz, exam, (recitation activity) report
    Criteria
    Identify, use, and convert between the SI units and imperial units
    Analyze equations for dimensional homogeneity
    Mathematically analyze and apply gravitational forces
    Identify and distinguish between mass, weight, specific weight and density
    Use and produce reports with a computational framework

  2. Mathematically analyze and manipulate vectors in two and three dimensions
    Assessment Strategies
    Homework assignments, quiz, exam, (recitation activity) report
    Criteria
    Draw force and position vectors in figures
    Express vectors in terms of Cartesian unit vectors
    Add and subtract vectors graphically and analytically
    Calculate the vector dot product
    Use the vector dot product to find vector components and direction cosines
    Calculate the vector cross product

  3. Analyze particle equilibrium
    Assessment Strategies
    Homework assignments, quiz, exam, (recitation activity) report
    Criteria
    Analyze a free body diagram in 2D and 3D
    Draw a free body diagram given a physical description in 2D and 3D
    Mathematically describe forces from cables, bars, pulleys and springs
    Add forces in non-Cartesian directions
    Analyze particle equilibrium design problems

  4. Analyze the moment of a force
    Assessment Strategies
    Homework assignments, quiz, exam, (recitation activity) report
    Criteria
    Apply the scalar and vector approaches to adding moments
    Analyze the moment of a force about an axis
    Analyze the moment of a couple
    Identify and analyze equivalent force systems

  5. Analyze rigid body equilibrium
    Assessment Strategies
    Homework assignments, quiz, exam, (recitation activity) report
    Criteria
    Draw a free body diagram of a given rigid body in 2D and 3D
    Analyze mechanical elements including cables, pulleys, and springs
    Analyze problems that involve static indeterminacy

  6. Analyze assemblies of rigid bodies
    Assessment Strategies
    Homework assignments, quiz, exam, (recitation activity) report
    Criteria
    Draw a free body diagram of a given structure in 2D and 3D
    Analyze 2D trusses using the method of joints
    Analyze 2D trusses using the method of sections
    Analyze 3D (Space) trusses
    Analyze frames and simple machines

  7. Analyze centroids
    Assessment Strategies
    Homework assignments, quiz, exam, (recitation activity) report
    Criteria
    Identify and distinguish between center of mass and center of gravity
    Compute the centroid of a given area, line, or volume
    Analyze situations with distributed forces, including constant and linearly-varying pressure.

  8. Analyze internal forces
    Assessment Strategies
    Homework assignments, quiz, exam, (recitation activity) report
    Criteria
    Analyze internal forces in structural members
    Analyze internal forces in straight beams
    Analyze the relations between force, shear, and bending moment: w(x), V(x), and M(x)

  9. Analyze frictional forces
    Assessment Strategies
    Homework assignments, quiz, exam, (recitation activity) report
    Criteria
    Analyze frictional forces at single and multiple contact surfaces
    Analyze frictional forces from belts and cables

  10. Analyze moments of inertia (MoI)
    Assessment Strategies
    Homework assignments, quiz, exam, (recitation activity) report
    Criteria
    Compute the area moment of inertia for a given shape
    Compute the mass moment of inertia for a given structure
    Apply the parallel axis theorem with area and mass moments of inertia