STATICS

Catalog description

Three hours of lecture per week. Introduction to the vector concepts of force and moment; analytical and graphical techniques for analysis of point forces, distributed forces and moments, centroid, center of mass; moment of inertia, static equilibrium of a rigid body and systems of rigid bodies such as frames, trusses, and machines; static friction forces and equilibrium of particles in three dimensions. There will be emphasis in the use of critical thinking when establishing how static structural supports work and how they react to external loads. The entire course involves quantitative reasoning through the use of force vectors, moments, and geometrical descriptions such as the selection of coordinate systems and corresponding distances. Scientific reasoning will be necessary to construct independent equations from fundamental principles of physics laws. Communication will be essential to demonstrate the mathematical process, free body diagrams, and the justification of the construction and solution of independent equations.