ENGMEC1

STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

Prerequisites: ENGPHYS (H) / CALENG2 (S)

Course Description
• Statics of Rigid Bodies (ENGMEC1) is a branch of Engineering
Mechanics that deals with the study of forces and interaction
of forces that occur in rigid bodies that are in static
equilibrium.
• In this course, two and three-dimensional structures are
analyzed to determine both external and internal effects due
to external forces.
Course Description
• Properties of areas and lines (centroids and moment of
inertia) which are important parameters in design of
structures will also be discussed.
• An understanding of the fundamental concepts and tools for
analyzing forces and moments is essential in mechanics of
deformable bodies, structural analysis and design courses.
General Objectives
• Identify and apply fundamental concepts and principles in
Statics.
• Demonstrates the ability to formulate a systematic approach
in the solution of problems in Statics.
• Manifest a logical and orderly process of thinking
characteristic of an engineer.
Value Aims
• To develop a passion for academic excellence through the
pursuit of a deeper understanding of the concepts in class
• To develop honesty and integrity in every student as
manifested in the solutions to examinations and assignments
• To develop awareness of the social and moral responsibility
of students as future professional engineers
Grading System
Class Policies
• Attendance will be checked at all times. The maximum number of
absences is 5 meetings (7.5 hours).
• A student who missed taking a Long Quiz or Final Exam will be given a
grade of zero for the missed quiz or exam. A make-up quiz or exam
will be given under exceptional cases only and upon the approval of
the Associate Dean.
• Academic dishonesty of any form will NOT be tolerated.
Class Policies
• All phones should be kept inside bags during classes unless instructed
to take photos of some class home work.
• If a phone rings during class, all students will be deducted 5 points
from their total long exam score.
• Consultation Schedule:
• M – T – W – H (7:30 - 9:00, M104E)
• Engineering - the profession in which the knowledge
of mathematical and natural sciences gained by study,
practice and experience is applied with judgment in
order to develop ways to utilize economically the
materials and forces of nature for the benefit of
mankind.
• Mechanics – It is a science that deals with the action of
forces on bodies. It describes or predicts the conditions
of rest or motion of bodies acted upon by forces.

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• Engineering Mechanics is a branch of mechanics that
deals with a study of forces in relation to problems
with engineering applications.
2 MAIN BRANCHES
MECHANICS MECHANICS
OF SOLIDS OF FLUIDS

Deformable
Rigid Bodies Gases and liquids
Bodies
at rest or in motion

Statics Dynamics Strength of

Materials

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 • Structures which
support large forces
must be designed
using the principles
of mechanics.

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• In Engineering Mechanics (statics and dynamics):
1. bodies are assumed to be rigid
2. bodies are in equilibrium
3. bodies are accelerated but can be put in equilibrium by applying
forces.

Statics deals with rigid solids that are or remain at rest.

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BASIC CONCEPTS:
• Space is the geometric region occupied by bodies
whose positions are described by linear and angular
measurements relative to a coordinate system.
• Length is used to locate the position of a point, to
define distances and geometric properties of a body.

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• Mass is a measure of the inertia of a body, which is its resistance to a
change of velocity. Mass can also be thought of as the quantity of
matter in a body.
• Force is the action exerted by one body upon another. The action of a
force is characterized by its magnitude, by the direction of its action,
and by its point of application.

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3 IMPORTANT IDEALIZATIONS USED IN
MECHANICS TO SIMPLIFY APPLICATION OF
THE THEORY:
• A particle has a mass, but a size that can be
neglected.
• A rigid body can be considered as a combination of a
large number of particles in which all the particles
remain at a fixed distance from one another, both
before and after applying a load.
• A concentrated force represents the effect of a
loading which is assumed to act at a point on the
body.

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• UNITS

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