Engineering Statics Course Syllabus

The official textbook for this course is: Engineering Mechanics: Statics (13th Edition) by R.C.
Hibbeler. Reading assignments will complement material presented in lectures. You need a
Statics textbook for the course, but you are also welcome to use the 10th, 11th, 12th, or
14th editions of the Hibbeler Statics text. I'll post PDF's of each HW assignment.

Date Topic Learning Objectives Textbook

 Knowledge of course policies and procedures

 Recall Newton’s three laws of motion.
Course Introduction
Week 1  Recognize consistent units and convert between Read: 1.1 – 1.6
& Syllabus
different unit formats.

 Explain the difference between a vector and a

scalar.
 Recall vector notation in the text and notes.
Vectors and Units  Recall rules for vector addition. Read: 2.1 – 2.4
 Compute components of vectors by multiple
techniques

 Review Cartesian vector notation (2D and 3D)

 Explain why unit vectors are needed and how a
unit vector is produced
Week 2 Cartesian Vectors  Explain right hand rule and how it relates to Read: 2.5 – 2.8
coordinate systems
 Use unit vectors to project forces onto a line.

 Use dot products to compute the projection of

one force on another
Vector Dot Products  Use dot products to find the angle between two Read 2.9
vectors in space.

 Explain how a pulley can be frictionless

Equilibrium of a  Draw both a 2D and 2D free body diagram for a Read 3.1-3.4
Particle particle

 Explain the sign convention for moment (right

Moments and Cross hand rule). Read: 4.1 – 4.3
Week 3
Products  Use the cross product to evaluate 2-D moments
Date Topic Learning Objectives Textbook

 Use Varignon’s Theorem to compute the

moment about a point
Demonstrate how 3D moments are similar to 2D Read: 4.4 – 4.5
Principle of Moments

& Moment about an
moments
Axis
 Compute the moment about a given axis

 Calculate the moment produced by a force

couple
Couples Read: 4.6 - 4.7
 Express a system of forces as a force-couple

 Solve for resultants and components of 2-D

Week 4 Force Systems force systems Read: 4.8

 Identify the forces provided by different kinds

of supports
 Draw FBDs using the forces from various types
Free Body Diagrams of supports Read: 5.1-5.2
 Write a set of rules or guidelines to help draw
accurate FBDs.

 Define static equilibrium.

 Solve 2-D equilibrium problems Read: 5.3-5.4
2-D Equilibrium  Define two-force and recognize two-force
members

 Define set of equations for 3D equilibrium

 Explain why some support forces and moments
are zero. Read: 5.5-5.6
Week 5 3-D Equilibrium
 Find rectangular components of vectors in 3-D
 Compute moments in 3-D

3-D Equilibrium  Solve 3D equilibrium problems

(cont.)

 Define the terms statically determinate and

indeterminate Read: 5.7
External Statically
 Explain constraint requirements for a stable
determinacy
system
Date Topic Learning Objectives Textbook

 Describe how a truss carries load.

 List the assumptions made when analyzing a
truss.
Trusses: Introduction
Week 6  Distinguish between tension and compression Read: 6.1-6.2
& Joints
 Use the method of Joints to compute truss bar
forces.

 Apply the methods of joints for space trusses

Space (3-D) Trusses  Apply the method of sections for space trusses Read: 6.5

 Describe the content and format of the

Review for Exam 1 upcoming Exam

Week 7 Exam 1

 Use the method of sections to find truss bar

forces
Trusses: Sections Read: 6.3-6.4
 Identify zero force members

 Explain the definition, utility, and how to solve Read: 6.6

Frames & Machines problems involving multi-force members

 Identify 2 force members among a multi-force

Frames & Machines
Week 8 member system
(cont.)

 Learn from your mistakes

Go Over Exam 1

 Describe the center of mass

Centroids & Integrals  Find the centroid of a function using an integral Read: 9.1

 Compute the centroid of regular and composite

shapes using algebraic equations and composite Read: 9.2
Week 9 Composite Bodies
bodies.

 Find the resultant of a distributed load.

Beams: External
 Find the reactions for beams Read: 4.9, 9.4
Effects

 Derive the differential relationships between

Week 10 V&M Read: 7.3
distributed loading, shear, and bending moment.
Date Topic Learning Objectives Textbook

Diagrams  Draw Shear and moment diagrams.

 Get comfortable solving shear(V) &

V&M Wrap-up moment(M) diagrams

 Explain static, impending, and kinetic friction Read: 8.1 – 8.2

Intro to Friction  Solve equilibrium problems including friction

 Explain how to solve multi-movement friction

Friction: Slipping vs.
Week 11 problems
Tipping

 Solve equilibrium problems including the effect

Friction: Wedges of friction on wedges Read: 8.3

 Describe the content and format of the

Review for Exam 2 upcoming Exam

Week 12 Exam 2

 Describe the action of screws and the moments

Friction: to move them
Read: 8.4
Screws  Solve problems including screws

Friction:  Describe the action of friction on flexible belts

 Solve problems including flexible belts. Read: 8.5
Flexible Belts

Friction:  Derive and apply the fundamental equations to

Week 13 solve for Journal Bearings Read: 8.7
Journal Bearings

 Learn from your mistakes

Go Over Exam 2

 Explain the significance of the area MOI Read: 10.1 –

Moment of Inertia 10.3
 Compute rectangular MOI using integrals
(MOI)
Date Topic Learning Objectives Textbook

 Use the parallel axis theorem to transfer axes.

 Explain when you need to use the parallel axis
Week 14 MOI: Composite Read: 10.4
theorem

 Compute the area product of inertia using

MOI: Products of
integration and composite areas Read: 10.5
Inertia

 Define Work and Virtual Work

 Describe the different types of Virtual Work and Read: 11.1 –
Virtual Work
equations for each 11.2

 Use virtual work to solve more equilibrium

Week 15 Virtual Work problems

 Clearly understand what will be on the final

Review & exam
Evaluations  Complete course evaluations

Adapted from Dr. Daniel Baker’s Statics Engineering Course (Colorado State University)