ENGINEERING MECHANICS

Introduction

Engineering mechanics is the study of forces that act on bodies, and the resultant motion that
those bodies experience. With a foundation in mathematics and physics, engineering
mechanics is the basis of all the mechanical sciences in aeronautical, aerospace, civil, and
mechanical engineering. Engineering Mechanics provides the building blocks of statics,
dynamics, strength of materials, and fluid dynamics. Also known as applied mechanics,
engineering mechanics provides a disciplined solution of physical problems through the
practical application of mathematical, scientific, and engineering principles. Some examples of
mechanical systems include the flow of a liquid under pressure, the fracture of a solid from an
applied force, or the vibration of a spacecraft that is being launched into orbit.
Prerequisites for Study

Engineering mechanics is a general discipline within the study of aerospace, civil, mechanical,
and electrical engineering. To learn and study engineering mechanics, a background in calculus
and physics is needed. These prerequisites will enable the student to analyze the various
structural problems that occur in engineering. Programs of study are designed to prepare the
student for advanced work in engineering design, computational engineering and research, solid
and fluid mechanics, materials science, and computer methods. Typical curricula include basic
courses such as engineering materials, mechanics of materials, statics, dynamics, and fluid
mechanics.
Typical College Curricula

Engineering mechanics programs are concerned with preparing students to be able to describe,
analyze, and optimize the behavior of materials and processes. In many universities,
engineering mechanics is a division of mechanical or civil engineering. In other instances it may
be a separate department, but it may be called engineering science, theoretical and applied
mechanics, or engineering physics. Undergraduate students study fundamental physical
sciences, applied mathematics, computer methods, materials, and engineering courses that
stress analytical and experimental methods to solve engineering problems.




Research Topics
Mechanics pervades modern research and development problems. Current work in the field of
engineering mechanics includes fluid flow, materials, vibrations and oscillations, fracture,
turbulence, applied mathematics, elasticity and plasticity, large-scale computer simulations,
acoustics, nonlinear dynamics, biomechanics, geophysical processes, combustion, micro
electromechanical systems, space technology and exploration, energy development, and
electronic packaging.

Career Paths for Engineering Graduates
Graduates with a background in engineering mechanics go on to study at the graduate level at
engineering, science, medical, and law schools. They may also work in government, industry,
and other types of organizations. They become science-oriented engineers who have the
background to become leaders in a variety of settings.

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Introduction
Mechanics of materials is an important topic in the study of engineering mechanics. It is
normally an undergraduate subject that is taught to engineering students who have previously
completed prerequisite courses in statics and dynamics. This subject is also known by other
names, such as strength of materials and mechanics of deformable bodies. In simple terms,
mechanics of materials is the study of how forces produce stresses in solid bodies. It is an
essential topic for engineers and students who are solving problems in aerospace, aeronautical,
civil, and mechanical engineering.

Static and Dynamic Loading
To determine the deformations and resulting stresses in a solid body, it is imperative that the
analyst understand the applied loads. There are two types of loads that are commonly
encountered in the analysis of structural members. The first load type is static which includes
constant forces, pressures, moments, and dead weights. The second load type is dynamic
which includes varying forces, accelerations, vibration, shock, and transient dynamic forces.
Real world application of dynamic loads includes impact forces, wind loads, snow loads, and
earthquake loads. In the application of any type of loading, it is essential that the analyst
construct free body diagrams to determine the resolution of the applied loads. When a solid
body experiences combined loading, the principle of superposition can be used to add the effect
of the applied loads.

Material Properties-Stress & Strain
A critical aspect of mechanics of materials is the relationship between stress and strain.
Materials that obey Hookes law exhibit a linear relationship between stress and strain. The
resulting deformation is considered elastic when the structure retains its original shape after the
applied load has been removed. When the applied load is increased, and the deformation is
permanent, the material behavior is called plastic. The relationship between a materials stress
and strain determines the likelihood for a structure to survive in the real world. Stresses that
occur at a point are analyzed using Mohrs circle for two or three dimensional loading.

Types of Structural Members
Mechanics of materials provides the analyst with closed form solutions for simple structural
members that experience a variety of loading conditions. Prismatic bars can be loaded axially,
or in torsion. A special case of a prismatic bar is a circular shaft that is loaded in bending and
torsion. Beams can be loaded axially, in pure bending, or in torsion. The beam bending case is
analyzed using shear and moment diagrams. As with any axial loading, it can be either tensile
or compressive. Columns are loaded axially in compression, and are normally assessed for
buckling stability. Thin walled pressure vessels are typically analyzed for hoop stresses.

Preparation for Advanced Topics
Understanding the basic concepts and simplified methods in mechanics of materials prepares
the student for advanced study in engineering mechanics. Analyzing real world engineering
structure can be done with a background in statics, dynamics, and strength of materials.
Advanced topics include machine design, vibration, advanced mechanics of materials, plates
and shells, elasticity, and plasticity.

ENGINEERING MECHANICS DYNAMICS
Introduction
Engineering dynamics is often the second topic of study (after engineering statics), within the
more general discipline of engineering mechanics. It is fundamental (but not limited to) most
branches of engineering, including aerospace, aeronautical, civil, electrical, and mechanical
engineering. It is also the basis for more advanced study in vibration and mechanics of
materials within civil engineering, engineering mechanics, and mechanical engineering.



Prerequisites
Prerequisites for studying dynamics include a background in calculus, engineering physics, and
engineering statics. Students will make use of the mathematical principles learned in calculus
and analytical geometry, as well as the classical mechanics principles studied in physics and
statics. In reality, much of dynamics is an extension of physics principles applied to engineering
structures and machines.

Definition
Engineering mechanics dynamics is the engineering students first exposure to understanding
bodies that are in motion. Dynamics is a departure from statics, where structures are in static
equilibrium. The concept of dynamic equilibrium requires study of the variable forces that occur
in rigid and elastic bodies that experience loads such as acceleration and vibration.

Topics of Study
The first topic of study is the application of Newtons Laws to basic engineering systems.
Learning about particle kinematics will re-acquaint the student with concepts of linear and
angular motion. Developing equations of motion for single and multiple degree-of-freedom
systems is an important skill for the dynamic analyst. As in statics analysis, vector mechanics
will be necessary during the study of dynamics. Vibration of rigid and elastic structures and
dynamic response are advanced topics of study.

Free Body Diagrams (FBDs)
The concept of Free Body Diagrams (FBDs) is just as critical in dynamic analysis, as it is in
static analysis. The main difference in the two FBDs is the difference in static and dynamic
equilibrium. In static equilibrium, the sums of the forces and moments must be zero. In dynamic
equilibrium, the sums of the forces and moments would equal the product of mass and
acceleration. This leads to the determination of the appropriate equations of motion for the
dynamic system being analyzed.

ENGINEERING MECHANICS STATICS
Introduction
Engineering statics is often the first topic of study, within the more general discipline of
engineering mechanics. It is fundamental (but not limited to) most branches of engineering,
including aerospace, aeronautical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering. It is also the
basis for more advanced study in dynamics, vibration, and mechanics of materials within civil
engineering, engineering mechanics, and mechanical engineering.

Prerequisites
Prerequisites for studying statics include a background in calculus and college-level physics.
Students will make use of the mathematical principles learned in calculus and analytical
geometry, as well as the classical mechanics principles studied in physics. In reality, much of
statics is an extension of physics principles applied to engineering structures.

Definition
Engineering mechanics statics is a fundamental topic that is necessary to understanding the
forces (and their effects) in real-world engineering applications. Statics consists of analyzing the
interactions of forces that occur in rigid bodies. It is the analysis of how multi-dimensional simple
structures react and support applied loads. It is imperative that the structure being analyzed be
in static equilibrium

Topics of Study
During the study of statics, the student will learn how to resolve forces, moments, and couples
to achieve equilibrium in stationary structures. The calculation of centers of gravity, properties of
plane areas, and moments of inertia will form the basis for further study in dynamics and
engineering mechanics of materials. Additional topics include vector analysis, particle
equilibrium, distributed forces, and internal forces in structural members. Finally, the analysis of
friction in structures, and the concepts of virtual work typically conclude the study of engineering
statics.

Vector Analysis (Vector Mechanics)
Vector analysis is a diagnostic skill that is critical to understanding engineering statics. It is
often necessary to analyze a single force by considering it as two separate forces. These
unique forces are known as components, and have same effect on a structure as the original
force (the resultant). Analyzing forces as vectors requires the analyst to differentiate between a
resultant and its components. This can be accomplished graphically by using any technique that
clearly shows the difference between the resultant and it components.


Free Body Diagrams (FBDs)
Drawing Free Body Diagrams (FBDs) is probably the most important process for correctly
assessing forces, and for solving engineering mechanics problems. Without doing this, forces
can easily be mis-calculated, and the resulting analysis can become erroneous. Additional study
in dynamics and mechanics of materials cannot be done without using free body diagrams.

Simple Structures
In engineering mechanics, rigid members that are connected in specific patterns form the basis
for simple structures. A bridge, a wind turbine tower, and the frame of a car all are all
considered simple structures. Simple structures include trusses, beams, frames, and machines.
These simple structures are the types that are studied in engineering statics. For instance, the
method of joints is a method that is used to determine the forces in each member of a simple
truss or space frame.

FRACTURE MECHANICS
Introduction

Fracture mechanics is the engineering discipline that deals with the study of crack propagation
in materials. Prediction of crack propagation is an important consideration in the design of many
engineering products. Design for fracture mechanics is prominent in aerospace, aeronautical,
civil, and mechanical engineering. Principles developed in solid mechanics are the basis for the
theoretical and empirical verification of fracture mechanics effects structural design.
History of Fracture Mechanics
Much of the progress in the development in fracture occurred during the 20th century. In 1920,
Griffith quantitatively related flaw size to fracture stress. However, Griffiths approach was
considered primitive for engineering purposes, since it only applied to brittle materials. During
the 1950s, Irwin developed the theory that applied fracture mechanics to ductile materials. In
1968, Rice developed the theory for modeling nonlinear plastic deformation in crack tips.

Types of Cracks
There are myriads of crack types that have been identified throughout the history of fracture
propagation theory. However, there are three modes of crack types that have been prominent
throughout the history of modern fracture mechanics. Mode I or opening cracks are
characterized by bending loading that tends to increase the crack length. Mode II or in-plane
shear cracks are described by shear loading that is nearly co-planer, and tends to cause sliding
on the crack surfaces. Mode III or out-of-plane shear cracks are dominated by shear forces that
can cause twisting of the material around the crack. Fracture mechanics analysis is based on
choosing a crack model (there are dozens available), and then predicting the crack propagation
that would result from an applied stress condition.
Crack Tip Theory
While having a crack in a product is not the greatest news for the structural analyst, the news is
not all bad. In ductile materials, a zone of plasticity develops at the tip of the crack. This zone of
plasticity can also apply to materials that are theoretically brittle. An increase in loading causes
the plastic zone to grow, which causes the crack to grow. As long as the crack is small enough,
it is possible for the crack to not grow, depending on the magnitude of the applied stresses.

Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics
Linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) is used to predict the growth of cracks in elastic stress
fields. This technique predicts crack growth by relating the stress intensity (proportional to stress
magnitude and crack type), and the rate of crack growth (da) to the number of applied cycles
(dN). The method is analogous to fatigue analysis, but assumes that a particular crack size and
configuration exists at the beginning of the analysis.