Module 1: Engineering Mechanics - Statics

• Analytical Methods: The use of mathematical procedures and tools.
• Collinear Forces: Forces lie in the same plane and have the same line of action.
• Concurrent Forces: Two or more forces whose lines of action intersect at a common point.
• Coplanar Forces: Forces that lie on the same plane.
• Density: The volumetric mass of density of a substance is its mass per unit volume.
• Displacement: A vector quantity representing the location of the destination relative to the origin of motion, irrespective of the path actually negotiated between two points.
• Distance: The total length of the pathway taken between the origin and the destination point.
• Engineering: The application of scientific knowledge in order to design, build, and maintain; structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes.
• Equilibrium: A particle is in mechanical equilibrium if the net force on that particle is ZERO.
• Conditions of Equilibrium:

  1. Sum of Forces Vertical = 0
  2. Sum of Forces Horizontal = 0
  3. Sum of Moments = 0
• Force: A push or a pull on a body.
• Force Diagram or Free-Body Diagram: A graphical illustration used to visualise the applied forces, movements and resulting reactions on a body in a steady state condition.
• Mass: The measure of the inertia of a body, and is directly related to the amount of matter or substance present.
• Matter: Anything that has mass and volume (occupies space)
• Mechanics: The study of the application of mechanics to solve problems involving common engineering elements.
• Newton's First Law: The law of inertia - An object at rest stays at rest unless acted on by an external force.
• Newton's Second Law: A body acted upon by an external unbalanced force will accelerate in proportion to the magnitude of this force in the direction in which the force acts. (F=ma)
• Newton's Third Law: For every action (or force), there is an equal and opposite reaction (or force)
• Non-concurrent Forces (COPLANAR): Two or more forces acting on an object that do not intersect at a common point and can be either parallel or angled to each other and can create rotation.
• Resultant (Vector): The single force vector obtained by combining a system of forces acting on a body; the defining feature of a resultant force, is that it has the same effect on the rigid body as the original system of forces.
• Scalar Quantity: Quantities that have magnitude but no direction.
• Simple Truss Frame: A rigid planar structure composed of slender members joined together at their end points to form a series of integrated triangles.
• Statics: The branch of mechanics concerned with the analysis of loads (force and torque, or moment) acting on physical systems that are in static equilibrium
• Vector Quantity: A quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
• Weight: The force on an object due to gravity.
• Characteristics of a Force:

  1. Magnitude
  2. Sense (Arrowhead)
  3. Direction (Angle)
  4. Point of Application (Origin)
• Concurrent Forces: The lines of action for all forces intersect at a common point, the point of concurrency.
• Struts: Compression Members
• Ties: Tension Memebrs
• Crane: A large, tall machine used for moving heavy objects by suspending them from a projecting arm or beam.
• Mass Structures: Dams
• Framed Structures: Frames
• Shells: Domes of buildings or balloons
• Simply Supported Beam


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• Overhanging Beam


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• Cantilever Beam


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• Roller Support: Only perpendicular forces
• Fixed Pin: Parallel and Perpendicular reaction forces
• Fixed Support: Parallel, Perpendicular and moment reaction forces