Faculty of Engineering

The University of Hong Kong

ENGG1300 FUNDAMENTAL MECHANICS

Course Outline

Course code: ENGG1300

Course title: Fundamental Mechanics
Offered by (department): Department of Civil Engineering &
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Level: 1
Credit units: 6
Pre‐requisite course code: NIL
Co‐requisite course code: NIL
Learning hours: Lecture (26)
Tutorial (13)
Student quota: 150
Course type: Core
Offer in academic year: 1st and 2nd Semesters
Assessment (%): Written examination (50%)
Continuous assessment (40 %)
Practical work (10%)

This document contains information for the course ENGG1300.

Students without prior knowledge of calculus are strongly advised to take this course in the second semester,
after taking MATH1011 in the first semester.

Its intention is for students undertaking the course to be well informed in terms of its learning expectations and
also to help make their learning journey an enjoyable one.

Information presented in this document was correct at the time of printing.

© 2018, Faculty of Engineering, HKU. Photocopies of this document for the purpose of study in this course may
be made without permission.
 Faculty of Engineering, HKU

Course Description and Aims

This is an introductory course for first‐year engineering students to lay a solid foundation in the basics of statics and dynamics.
The primary objective of this course is to introduce students the fundamental concepts and principles of statics and dynamics
and their applications to solve practical problems.

This course comprises two major parts ‐ Statics and Dynamics. Statics is the study of objects in a state of force equilibrium
and dynamics is the study of objects in motion. The study of statics and dynamics provides the basis and foundation for further
study in all engineering disciplines, particularly in Civil and Mechanical Engineering.

At the end of this course, students who fulfil the requirements of this course will be able to:
1. draw a free body diagram and identify the reaction forces/moments acting on the free body due to support conditions
and restraints
2. construct equilibrium equations to solve statically determinate problems
3. use vector algebra to solve 3‐D static problems
4. determine stresses and strains of axially loaded members using Hooke’s law
5. calculate centroid, second moment of area and polar moment of area of compound cross‐sections
6. design and fabricate a model to satisfy specific requirements by applying the fundamental principles of mechanics
7. apply concepts of kinematics and kinetics to solve mechanics problems

Teaching Staff
Contact details for the course co‐ordinators and course teachers are shown below:
Course Co‐ordinator
Name (Department: Specialty) Contact Details
Dr. K.H. Law (Civil Engineering) E‐mail: adalaw@hku.hk
Phone: 3917 4646
Office: HW5‐26

Course Teachers
Name (Department: Specialty) Contact Details
Dr. K.H. Law (Civil Engineering) E‐mail: adalaw@hku.hk
Phone: 3917 4646
Office: HW5‐26
Name (Department: Specialty) Contact Details
Dr. K.L. Su (Civil Engineering) E‐mail: klsu@hku.hk
Phone: 2859 2648
Office: HW 6‐06
Name (Department: Specialty) Contact Details
Dr. H. Ye (Civil Engineering) E‐mail: hlye@hku.hk
Phone: 3917 8132
Office: HW 6‐20
Name (Department: Specialty) Contact Details
Dr. L. Xu (Mechanical Engineering) E‐mail: xulizhi@hku.hk
Phone: 3917 2628
Office: HW 7‐07
Name (Department: Specialty) Contact Details
Dr. P.C.Y. Chow (Mechanical Engineering) E‐mail: pcyc@hku.hk
Phone: 3917 7905
Office: HW 7‐19

course outline page 2 of 6


Learning Outcomes and Alignment with HKIE Abilities for Engineering Graduates
By the end of this course students should be able to demonstrate a threshold level of mastery of the following learning
outcomes. The appropriate HKIE abilities associated with each of the learning outcomes are also presented.
Course Learning Outcomes
1. draw a free body diagram and identify the
reaction forces/moments acting on the
free body due to support conditions and
restraints
2. construct equilibrium equations to solve
statically determinate problems
3. use vector algebra to solve 3‐D static
problems
4. determine stresses and strains of axially
loaded members using Hooke’s law
5. calculate centroid, second moment of
area and polar moment of area of
compound cross‐sections
6. design and fabricate a model to satisfy
specific requirements by applying the
fundamental principles of mechanics
7. apply concepts of kinematics and kinetics
to solve mechanics problems
Faculty of Engineering, HKU
Relevant HKIE Abilities for Engineering Graduates
(Equivalent to Programme Learning Outcomes)
PO(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and
engineering appropriate to the degree discipline
PO(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering
tools necessary for engineering practice appropriate to the degree
discipline
PO(e) an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems
PO(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and
engineering appropriate to the degree discipline
PO(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering
tools necessary for engineering practice appropriate to the degree
discipline
PO(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and
engineering appropriate to the degree discipline
PO(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering
tools necessary for engineering practice appropriate to the degree
discipline
PO(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and
engineering appropriate to the degree discipline
PO(b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze
and interpret data
PO(e) an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems
PO(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and
engineering appropriate to the degree discipline
PO(e) an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems
PO(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering
tools necessary for engineering practice appropriate to the degree
discipline
course outline page 3 of 6
 Faculty of Engineering, HKU

Course Teaching and Learning Activities and Alignment with Learning Outcomes
Teaching and learning activities in this course include lectures, tutorials, laboratory work and various reports or
assignments. All course learning outcomes will be introduced and explained through lectures (2 hours/week) and tutorials
(1 hour/week).

The course contents and its alignment with the course learning outcomes and assessment tasks are described below.
Course Content Responsible Lecturer Course Learning Outcomes
Weeks 1‐5 Forces systems and equilibrium
Force vectors Dr. K.H. Law 3
Moments and couples Dr. K.H. Law 3
Conditions of equilibrium Dr. K.H. Law 2
Free‐body diagram and determination of resultant forces Dr. K.H. Law 1
Statically determinate structures Dr. K.L. Su 2
Weeks 6 Axially loaded members
Axial stress and strain Dr. K.L. Su 4
Hooke’s law Dr. K.L. Su 4
Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio Dr. K.L. Su 4
Deformations of members subjected to axial loading Dr. K.L. Su 4
Weeks 7‐8 Beams in bending
Symmetric and asymmetric beams in bending Dr. H. Ye 5
Section properties: Centroid, first and second moment of area Dr. H. Ye 5
Parallel axes theorem Dr. H. Ye 5
Polar moment of area and perpendicular axes theorem Dr. H. Ye 5
Weeks 9‐10 Kinematics
Rectilinear kinematics Dr. L. Xu/ 7
Dr. P.C.Y. Chow
Cartesian coordinates and curvilinear coordinates Dr. L. Xu/ 7
Dr. P.C.Y. Chow
Curvilinear motion, rotation about a fixed axis, rotating Dr. L. Xu/ 7
reference frames Dr. P.C.Y. Chow
General motion of a rigid body Dr. L. Xu/ 7
Dr. P.C.Y. Chow
Weeks 10‐11 Kinetics
Newton’s Second Law, Equations of motion Dr. L. Xu/ 7
Dr. P.C.Y. Chow
Principle of conservation of linear momentum, Principle of Dr. L. Xu/ 7
conservation of angular momentum Dr. P.C.Y. Chow
Friction Dr. L. Xu/ 7
Dr. P.C.Y. Chow
Simple harmonic motion Dr. L. Xu/ 7
Dr. P.C.Y. Chow
Weeks 12‐13 Model challenge
Design and fabricate a model to satisfy specific requirements Dr. H. Ye 6
by applying the fundamental principles of mechanics

course outline page 4 of 6

 Faculty of Engineering, HKU

Guidelines on Grading and Standards of Assessment

HKU has adopted standards‐based assessment. The general course grade descriptors aim to provide descriptions on the normal
expectations of student achieving particular grades.
Course Grade Description
A Exceptionally good performance demonstrating a superior understanding of the subject matter, a
foundation of extensive knowledge, a skilful use of concepts, and ability to analyze and evaluate
problems.
B Good performance demonstrating capacity to use the appropriate concepts, a good understanding of
the subject matter, and an ability to handle the problems encountered in the course.
C Adequate performance demonstrating an adequate understanding of the subject matter, an ability to
handle relatively simple problems, and adequate preparation for moving on to more advanced work in
the field.
D Minimally acceptable performance demonstrating at least partial familiarity with the subject matter and
some capacity to deal with relatively simple problems, but also demonstrating deficiencies serious
enough to make it inadvisable to proceed further in the field without additional work.
F Unacceptable performance demonstrating unfamiliarity with the subject matter, and lack of capacity to
deal with relatively simple problems, and also demonstrating deficiencies serious enough to make it
advisable to retake the course.

Course Assessment Tasks and Alignment with Learning Outcomes

Assessment tasks in this course are described below, which includes weighting, assessment type, and alignment with course
learning outcomes.

Weighting of continuous assessment and written examination

Assessment Type Percentage of Total Assessment (%) Description
Continuous Assessment 40 Assignments
Written Examination 50 2‐hour written examination
Practical Work 10 A model challenge

Course and Assessment Policy

Late Submission / Missed quiz
As per Departmental regulation.

Academic Conduct
The University Regulations on academic misconduct will be strictly enforced. Students are strongly recommended to refer to
http://www.hku.hk/student/plagiarism/ for further details. In addition, students should familiarise themselves with
http://lib.hku.hk/turnitin/.

Means / Processes for Student Feedback on Course

SETL
Students are asked to complete this evaluation (Student Evaluation of Teaching and Learning) of their learning experiences at
the conclusion of the course. Questionnaire items relate to the overall evaluation of the course as well as an evaluation of
teaching.

Other means of student feedback

In addition, the teacher may seek student feedback through other mechanisms.

Date: Jul 2021 Completed by: Dr. K.H. Law

course outline page 5 of 6

 Faculty of Engineering, HKU

Learning Resources
Required text / References
1. Hibbeler, R.C., Engineering Mechanics: Static & Dynamics, 13th Edition, Pearson, 2013
2. Beer, F.P., Johnston, E.R. and DeWolf, J.T., Mechanics of Materials, 6th Edition, McGraw Hill, 2013.
3. Gere, J.M. and Goodno, B.J., Mechanics of Materials, 8th Edition, Cengage Learning, 2013.
4. Hannah, J. and Hillier, M.J., Applied Mechanics, Pitman, 1995.
5. Riley, W.F., Sturges, L.D. and Morris, D.H., Statics and Mechanics of Materials, Wiley, 1995.

Course website
Selected course materials and announcements will be posted on Moodle. Students are advised to consult Moodle regularly.

course outline page 6 of 6