General Principles

Statics (8012103-3)
Fall 2021
Today’s Objectives:
Students will be able to:
a) Identify what is mechanics / statics.
b) Work with two types of units.
c) Round the final answer appropriately.
d) Apply problem solving strategies.
 Contents
• Mechanics
• Fundamental Concepts
• Units of Measurement
• The International System of Units
• Numerical Calculations
• General Procedure for Analysis
 WHAT IS MECHANICS?
• Study of what happens to a “thing” (the technical name is
“BODY”) when FORCES are applied to it.

• Either the body or the forces could be large or small.

 Branches of Mechanics

Mechanics

Rigid-Body Deformable-Body Fluid Mechanics

Mechanics Mechanics

Statics Compressible

Incompressible
Dynamics
 Rigid-Body Mechanics
Rigid-Body Mechanics is divided
into two areas

Statics: Dynamics:
The study of bodies 1. Kinematics – concerned
in equilibrium with the geometric aspects
(at rest or move with of motion
constant velocity) 2. Kinetics - concerned with
the forces causing the
motion
(Accelerated motion of bodies)
WHAT MAY HAPPEN IF STATICS IS NOT
APPLIED PROPERLY?
 Fundamental Concepts
Idealizations. Models or idealizations are
used in mechanics in order to simplify
application of the theory. Here we will
consider three important idealizations.
The forces all meet at a point (ring),
Particle has a mass but a size that can be (the ring can be represented as a
neglected particle

Rigid Body does not deform under load.

Concentrated Force are assumed to act at a

point on a body.

Railroad wheel is a rigid body acted upon

by the concentrated force of the rail.
 Cont.: Fundamental Concepts
Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

First Law. A particle originally at rest, or moving in a straight line

with constant velocity, tends to remain in this equilibrium state
provided the particle is not subjected to an unbalanced force.
 Cont.: Fundamental Concepts
Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
Second Law. A particle acted upon by an unbalanced force F
experiences an acceleration a that has the same direction as the
force and a magnitude that is directly proportional to the force.

If the particle has a mass m, this law may be expressed

mathematically as:
F=ma
 Cont.: Fundamental Concepts

Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

Third Law. The mutual forces of action and reaction between two
particles are equal, opposite, and collinear.
 Cont.: Fundamental Concepts
Newton’s Law of Gravitational Attraction
 Cont.: Fundamental Concepts

Weight
In the case of a particle located at or near the surface of the earth,
however, the only gravitational force having any sizable
magnitude is that between the earth and the particle.
Consequently, this force, called the weight, will be the only
gravitational force considered in our study of mechanics.
 UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
• Four fundamental physical quantities.
•Length
•Mass
•Time
•Force
• Newton’s 2nd Law relates them: F = m * a
• We use this equation to develop systems of units.
• Units are arbitrary names we give to the physical quantities.
Cont.: Units of Measurement

• Mass, time, and length are called the base units.

• Force unit is derived from the acceleration term.
• We will work with two unit systems in statics:
•International System (SI)
•U.S. Customary (USCS)
Cont.: Units of Measurement
 Common Conversion Factors
• Work problems in the units given unless otherwise instructed!
• 1 lb = 4.4482 N
• 1 slug = 14.5938 kg
• 1 ft = 0.3048 m
• 1 in = 0.0254 m

• Example: Convert a torque value of 47 lb•in into SI units.

– Answer is 5.310 N • m?
 The International System of Units
Prefixes
Cont.: The International System of Units
Rules for Use. Here are a few of the important rules that
describe the proper use of the various SI symbols:
• No Plurals (e.g., m = 5 kg not kgs )
• Separate Units with a • (e.g., meter second = m • s )
• Most symbols are in lowercase.
• Some exceptions are N, Pa, M and G.
• Exponential powers apply to units, e.g., cm • cm = cm2
• Compound prefixes should not be used.
• When writing exponential notation
• 4.5x103 N *NOT* 4.5E3N
 Numerical Calculations
• Dimensional Homogeneity. The terms of any equations must have
dimensional “homogeneity.” Dimensions have to be the same on
both sides of the equal sign, (e.g. distance = speed  time.)

• Significant Figures. Use an appropriate number of significant figures

•3 for answer, at least 4 for intermediate calculations
•4 for answer, at least 5 for intermediate calculations

• Rounding Off Numbers. Be consistent when rounding off.

- greater than 5, round up (3528  3530)
- smaller than 5, round down (0.03521  0.0352)
- equal to 5, see your textbook.
PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGY:
IPE: A 3 Step Approach
1. Interpret: Read carefully and determine what is given and what
is to be found/ delivered. Ask, if not clear. If
necessary, make assumptions and indicate them.

2. Plan: Think about major steps (or a road map) that you will
take to solve a given problem. Think of
alternative/creative solutions and choose the best
one.
3. Execute: Carry out your steps. Use appropriate diagrams and
equations. Estimate your answers. Avoid simple
calculation mistakes. Reflect on / revise your work.
 ATTENTION QUIZ
1. For a static’s problem your calculations show the final answer as
12345.6 N. What will you write as your final answer?
A) 12345.6 N B) 12.3456 kN C) 1.23E4N
D) 1.235x104 N E) 123 kN

2. In three step IPE approach to problem solving, what does P

stand for?
A) Position B) Plan C) Problem
D) Practical E) Possible