Applications in Engineering Mechanics from Coursera

This course applies principles learned in my course “Introduction to Engineering Mechanics” to analyze real world engineering structures. You will need to have mastered the engineering fundamentals from that class in order to be successful in this course offering. This course addresses the modeling and analysis of static equilibrium problems with an emphasis on real world engineering systems and problem solving.

---------------------------

Recommended Background:

You will need to have successfully completed my earlier course “Introduction to Engineering Mechanics” in order to be successful in this course.

---------------------------

The copyright of all content and materials in this course are owned by either the Georgia Tech Research Corporation or Dr. Wayne Whiteman. By participating in the course or using the content or materials, whether in whole or in part, you agree that you may download and use any content and/or material in this course for your own personal, non-commercial use only in a manner consistent with a student of any academic course. Any other use of the content and materials, including use by other academic universities or entities, is prohibited without express written permission of the Georgia Tech Research Corporation. Interested parties may contact Dr. Wayne Whiteman directly for information regarding the procedure to obtain a non-exclusive license.

What's inside

Syllabus

Applications of the Equations of Static Equilibrium to Interacting Bodies or Parts of a Structure; Systems Containing Multi-force Members; Frames and Machines

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores applications of static equilibrium to real-world engineering structures

Builds upon the fundamentals of engineering mechanics

Emphasizes problem-solving and real-world engineering applications

Provides a comprehensive study of static equilibrium and its applications

Teaches modeling and analysis of static equilibrium problems

Requires prior successful completion of the instructor's Introduction to Engineering Mechanics course

Reviews summary

Application of engineering statics

According to learners, this course is a strong follow-up to the introductory mechanics course, effectively applying principles to real-world engineering problems. Many praise the clear explanations provided by Dr. Whiteman and find the challenging assignments help solidify understanding. However, some learners note that it requires a solid prerequisite foundation and felt certain topics were rushed or needed supplemental material for full understanding, especially regarding shear force and bending moment diagrams or complex frames. Overall, it is seen as highly beneficial for engineering students looking to apply theoretical knowledge.

Homework requires applying concepts rigorously.

"The assignments were challenging but very practical."

"The homework reinforced the concepts effectively."

"The assignments force you to apply the theory, which is good."

"The assignments were quite difficult."

Instructor's teaching is generally effective.

"Dr. Whiteman's explanations are crystal clear, especially the sections on frames and machines."

"Dr. Whiteman is a great instructor."

"The lectures are clear, though sometimes dry."

Focus on real-world problems is highly valued.

"This course applies principles learned in my course “Introduction to Engineering Mechanics” to analyze real world engineering structures."

"The real-world examples make the concepts much easier to grasp."

"The problems are very representative of what you'd see in university or practice."

Effectively applies concepts from intro course.

"Fantastic follow-up to the intro course. ... I feel much more confident tackling real-world engineering problems now."

"Excellent course! Builds perfectly on the first mechanics course. ... This is essential material for anyone studying engineering."

"Solid applications course. Covers the main topics you'd expect. Prerequisites are definitely important."

Certain sections felt rushed or less detailed.

"Some parts felt a bit rushed, particularly the cable systems module."

"I sometimes wished for more step-by-step detail in the video lectures."

"I found the explanations for shear force and bending moment diagrams confusing without extra resources."

"Wish there were more examples worked out step-by-step."

Assumes solid understanding of intro mechanics.

"You will need to have mastered the engineering fundamentals from that class in order to be successful in this course offering."

"...it assumes you remember everything from the intro course perfectly. If you're a bit rusty, you might struggle."

"Prerequisites are definitely important."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Applications in Engineering Mechanics with these activities:

Volunteer at a local engineering firm

Show steps

Volunteering at an engineering firm will give you hands-on experience with the concepts of statics.

Show steps

Find a local engineering firm that is willing to take on volunteers.
Contact the firm and express your interest in volunteering.
Show up on time and be prepared to work hard.
Ask questions and learn from the engineers.
Reflect on your experience and consider a career in engineering.

Read "Engineering Mechanics: Statics" by R.C. Hibbeler

Show steps

Reviewing this book will help you build a strong foundation in the concepts of statics.

View Engineering Mechanics on Amazon

Show steps

Watch video tutorials on statics

Show steps

Watching video tutorials will help you understand the concepts of statics in a more visual way.

Show steps

Find a reputable source for video tutorials.
Watch the tutorials on topics you are struggling with.
Take notes on the key concepts and formulas.
Review the tutorials regularly.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Solve practice problems on statics

Show steps

Solving practice problems will help you apply the concepts learned in class and improve your problem-solving skills.

Show steps

Identify the problem type.
Draw a free body diagram.
Apply the equations of static equilibrium.
Check your solution.

Create a study guide for the course

Show steps

Creating a study guide will help you organize your notes and identify the key concepts of the course.

Show steps

Review your notes.
Identify the key concepts of each chapter.
Write down the key concepts in a clear and concise way.
Organize your study guide into sections.
Review your study guide regularly.

Form a study group with classmates

Show steps

Forming a study group will allow you to discuss the concepts of statics with your classmates and get help with problems.

Show steps

Find classmates who are taking the same course.
Set up a regular meeting time.
Review the material together.
Work on practice problems.
Help each other with difficult concepts.

Design a simple structure

Show steps

Designing a simple structure will help you apply the concepts learned in class to a real-world problem.

Show steps

Identify the purpose of the structure.
Determine the loads that the structure will be subjected to.
Choose the appropriate materials for the structure.
Design the structure.
Analyze the structure to ensure that it will be safe.

Career center

Learners who complete Applications in Engineering Mechanics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mechanical Engineer

To be successful as a Mechanical Engineer, professionals need to understand static equilibrium, including complex systems containing multi-force members, frames, and machines. This course directly addresses these concepts and might be a great addition to your professional development toolbox.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers must have expertise in statics to design and analyze structures that can withstand various loads and forces. This course covers applications of static equilibrium to real-world structures, helping you to gain valuable knowledge and skills for a successful career in Civil Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Structural Engineer

For Structural Engineers, static equilibrium is crucial for analyzing and designing structures that can withstand various forces and loads. This course can equip you with the knowledge and skills to excel in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Structural Engineer

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers need a solid understanding of static equilibrium, especially when designing aircraft and spacecraft. This course can provide you with a strong foundation in these concepts, preparing you for the challenges of Aerospace Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer

Mechanical Engineering Technician

As a Mechanical Engineering Technician, you will need to apply static equilibrium principles to solve problems and design systems. This course can provide you with the foundation to succeed in this role, especially in understanding multi-force members, frames, and machines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineering Technician

Civil Engineering Technician

Civil Engineering Technicians play a vital role in structural design and analysis. This course covers the applications of static equilibrium, providing you with a solid understanding of how forces and loads impact structures, which is essential for success in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineering Technician

Geotechnical Engineer

Geotechnical Engineers deal with the behavior of soil and rock under various forces and loads. This course can provide you with a better understanding of statics, which is essential for analyzing and designing geotechnical structures and foundations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geotechnical Engineer

Construction Manager

For Construction Managers, understanding static equilibrium is crucial for ensuring structural stability and safety. This course can provide you with the knowledge to evaluate and manage structural forces and loads effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Manager

Architectural Engineer

Architectural Engineers need to ensure that buildings can withstand various forces and loads. Taking this course can enhance your understanding of static equilibrium, providing valuable insights for structural design and analysis in the field of Architectural Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Engineer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers deal with the design and analysis of robots, which involve understanding how forces and moments affect their movement and stability. This course can provide a solid foundation in statics for robotics professionals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Project Engineer

Project Engineers who work on structural or mechanical projects may benefit from this course as it can enhance their understanding of static equilibrium and its applications in real-world structures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Engineer

Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum Engineers may find this course useful as it covers topics like shear force and bending moment diagrams, which are relevant to the analysis and design of pipelines and other structures in the oil and gas industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Petroleum Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

For Manufacturing Engineers involved in the design and analysis of manufacturing processes and equipment, this course can provide insights into statics, helping them optimize production systems and ensure structural integrity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists may benefit from taking this course to understand how external forces and loads affect the behavior of materials, helping them design and develop new materials with improved properties.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist

Technical Writer

Technical Writers in engineering fields may find this course useful for understanding the technical concepts and terminology related to statics, which can help them accurately convey complex engineering information in written form.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer