Introduction to Engineering Mechanics:

Static Equilibrium
Course Overview
This course is an introduction to learning and applying the principles required to solve
engineering mechanics problems.
Concepts will be applied in this course from previous courses you have taken in basic math
and physics. The course addresses the modeling and analysis of static equilibrium problems
with an emphasis on real world engineering applications and problem solving.

Prerequisite Knowledge
You should have a background in basic calculus, and physics covering classical mechanics.

Course Objective
To give the students an introduction to engineering mechanics with an emphasis on
engineering problem solving and the synthesis of calculus and physics.

Course Outcomes
Outcome 1: Students will demonstrate the ability to describe position, forces, and moments in
terms of vector components in two and three dimensions.
Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate the ability to select suitable reference coordinate axes,
construct free body diagrams, and understand the relation between constraints imposed by
supports and support forces.
Outcome 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to formulate static equilibrium equations for a
rigid body and evaluate forces and moments in 2D and 3D structures.

Course Textbook or Online Resources

While no specific textbook is required, the course is designed to be compatible with any basic
engineering statics textbook. You will find it useful in learning the material to acquire a basic
engineering mechanics (statics) textbook to use as a reference and for completing additional
practice problems.

I would like to acknowledge two of my faculty colleagues at Georgia Tech, Drs. David McGill
and Wilton King, who have supported my Coursera course efforts by allowing me to use figures
and examples from their textbook in my preparation of this course. We use this textbook at
Georgia Tech for our Statics course. While not required, if you are interested in purchasing this
textbook, you may go to this link for our Barnes and Noble store at Georgia Tech:
Engineering Mechanics: Statics - Barnes and Noble store at Georgia Tech
This textbook is also available through Amazon at:
Engineering Mechanics: Statics - Amazon
In addition, Ive been made aware of a textbook that is available online. The authors, Drs. Andy
Ruina and Rudra Pratap, have given me permission to post the link to this textbook. Please
understand that the authors retain all rights to this textbook.
Introduction to Statics and Dynamics - Online Version
Please also note that Dr. Ruina requests that he would like feedback from any and all about
how to improve this Ruina/Pratap book, or of any issues anyone has with it. Dr. Ruinas email is
ruina@cornell.edu

Quizzes and Verified Certificates

Each of the five sections of the course has a quiz. To pass each section of the course, you
must correctly answer 2 out of the 3 questions on the quiz.
You are allowed 1 attempt to pass each quiz every 7 days.
If you purchased the Verified Certificate option, you are eligible to receive the certificate once
you have successfully passed the quiz for all five sections of the course. Please note that
purchasing the Verified Certificate is optional.

Significant Figures
The answers to all of the questions for the quizzes in this course will be rounded to 3 significant
figures (sig figs).
The significant figures of a number express a magnitude to a specified degree of accuracy. For
example, if you calculate an answer to be 3.14159, it should be expressed as 3.14

Clarification of the Honor Code in this Course

Here are my SPECIFIC GUIDELINES regarding the Honor Code in this course:

Students may only help each other with conceptual problems on the quizzes. This type of
assistance is appreciated by all participants and contributes to the learning experience. I
prohibit providing answers or exact processes toward achieving the correct answer. This is a
violation of the Honor Code and will result in your removal from the course.
Here are examples of GOOD comments that would be appropriate for the Discussion
Forums:
Quiz Assistance:
"If I am understanding you correctly, I believe your confusion comes from the wording onto the
pole since it creates an impression as if the cable is pushing the pole, which is impossible. I
think in the problem statement "onto the pole" is intended to show that the pole is the receiver
of the force exerted by the cable. Either way, the pole is being pulled by the cable therefore the
force acting on the pole should be directed from point B towards point C. Hope this helps."
Quiz Assistance:
"These are two individual cables, probably made of the same materials and hence can
withstand the same maximum tension force before failing. But they don't necessarily have the
same tension force. The force in each cable needs to be determined through equilibrium."
Here are examples of a BAD comment that would NOT be appropriate for the
Discussion Forums:
Quiz Assistance
"If 1 pound force is equal 4.44822162 newtons then we have 2500*4.44822162 =
11,120.55405 or 2500*4.448 = 11,120 newtons"

Systems of Units
This course will use both the English (Imperial) system of units and the International System
(SI) (metric) system of units.
For students outside of the United States, the English (Imperial) system of units will be
unfamiliar and may be a source of frustration. Please view this as a learning process where
you will be learning something new.
While there have been efforts to make the metric system the standard for use in the United
States, unfortunately those efforts have failed to date. I, personally, would like to see the U.S.
adopt the metric standard. But, for my U.S. students, it is imperative that they understand and
be able to use the English system of units, as well as the SI system of units. This is why I will
use a mixture of both systems in my lectures and examples throughout the course.
Thank you for understanding my choice to use both systems of units in this course.