Engineering Mechanics: Statics from Udemy

What is Statics and how will it help me?

Statics is typically the first engineering mechanics course taught in university-level engineering programs. It is the study of objects that are either at rest, or moving with a constant velocity. Statics is important in the development of problem solving skills. It teaches you to think about how forces and bodies act and react to one another. You learn how to analyze word problems, pull out the important information and then solve.

One of the most important aspects of this course is the use of free body diagrams. Free body diagrams (FBDs) are used endlessly in many engineering courses and this course is where you will perfect your FBD drawing skills. The material and thought processes learned in this class will be of great benefit to you in any other application where you are analyzing relationships between objects and applying math concepts.

Why is this course better than the others?

Have you ever been in a class and been frustrated by the lack of fully-worked examples? This will not be that class. I understand the frustration - I used to feel the same way. Because of that, I teach my classes in a way that I would've preferred as a student. Handwritten notes, simple explanations, and plenty of examples in a variety of difficulty levels. You will not find PowerPoint slides here. To test your knowledge there are exams. In case you get stuck, video solutions are provided. I also don't assume you know more than you do - we'll start with the basics and work our way up to more complex material.

What will I learn in this course?

Some of the topics we will cover:

- Vector and scalar operations

- Cartesian vectors

- Projection of a force along a line

- Free body diagrams

- 2-D and 3-D equilibrium for particles and rigid bodies

- Moments of forces

- Couple moments

- Methods of joints and sections

- Centroids

- Moments of inertia

- Internal Loadings

- and more.

What do I need to know before starting?

The typical prerequisites for this class are Physics 1 and Calculus. We will be using a few derivatives and integrals so you should be familiar with those concepts. We will cover everything else you need.

Is there a recommended textbook?

I, along with most students I've taught, really like the Engineering Mechanics - Statics text by Hibbeler. If you don't already have a textbook this one would be a great resource, although it is not required for this course. All the examples in this course come from the 14th Edition of Engineering Mechanics - Statics by Hibbeler.

Why wait? There's no better time than now. Enroll today.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Introduction Part 1 and Downloadable Outline of Notes

Introduction Part 2

Students wil be able to calculate force vectors and their components, find coordinate direction angles, use the dot product to calculate projection along a line

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on free body diagrams, which are used extensively in many engineering courses, helping students develop essential skills for advanced studies

Covers vector and scalar operations, which are fundamental mathematical tools used throughout engineering disciplines and are crucial for problem-solving

Explores 2-D and 3-D equilibrium for particles and rigid bodies, which are core concepts in structural analysis and mechanical design

Requires familiarity with Physics 1 and Calculus, suggesting that learners should have a solid foundation in introductory physics and mathematical principles

Uses the 14th Edition of Engineering Mechanics - Statics by Hibbeler, so learners may benefit from acquiring this edition to follow along with the examples

Reviews summary

Solid foundation in engineering statics

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive introduction to Engineering Mechanics: Statics. Students particularly appreciate the instructor's clear teaching style and the abundance of fully-worked examples provided throughout the material. The course covers fundamental concepts like free body diagrams, equilibrium, moments, and trusses comprehensively. Many find the video solutions for exams to be especially helpful for understanding problem-solving approaches. While the subject matter is inherently challenging and requires solid prerequisites in Physics and Calculus, the course structure and extensive examples help bridge the gap for many students looking to build a strong foundational understanding.

Requires solid Calc and Physics background.

"Make sure you have a strong background in calculus and physics before starting."

"The course moves at a pace that assumes familiarity with prerequisites."

"Calculus concepts are used, so brush up on those skills first."

"Without solid physics fundamentals, some topics might be challenging."

Subject is difficult, but course is effective.

"Statics is tough, but this course makes it manageable."

"It's challenging material, but the teaching approach really helps."

"I found the course difficult at times, but ultimately very rewarding."

"Requires effort and practice, but the payoff in understanding is worth it."

Video solutions for exams are valuable.

"The video solutions for the exams are incredibly helpful for reviewing and learning from mistakes."

"Getting to see step-by-step video explanations for exam problems was a major plus."

"Video solutions were a lifesaver when I got stuck on the practice exams."

"The video explanations reinforce the problem-solving techniques taught."

Covers core statics concepts well.

"This course provides a solid foundation in engineering statics."

"It covers all the fundamental topics needed for a first course in mechanics."

"I feel much more confident with free body diagrams after taking this."

"The material on equilibrium and moments was especially well-covered."

Instructor explains complex topics clearly.

"The instructor does a great job of explaining the concepts clearly..."

"His explanations are very clear and easy to follow..."

"I found the teaching method really simple and direct, which is great for statics."

"The course material was presented in a very understandable manner."

Course includes many helpful examples.

"Plenty of fully worked examples make understanding the material much easier."

"The course is filled with a lot of examples, which is crucial for mastering statics."

"Examples are varied and cover different difficulty levels as promised."

"I really benefited from doing all the examples alongside the lectures."

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 Engineering Mechanics: Statics with these activities:

Review Trigonometry Concepts

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Reinforce your understanding of trigonometric functions and their applications, as they are essential for vector analysis and force calculations in statics.

Browse courses on Trigonometry

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Review trigonometric identities and formulas.
Practice solving right triangle problems.
Work through example problems involving sine, cosine, and tangent.

Schaum's Outline of Statics

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Supplement your learning with a Schaum's Outline to gain extra practice and solidify your understanding of core concepts.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the relevant chapters in the Schaum's Outline.
Work through the solved problems.
Attempt the practice exercises and check your answers.

Engineering Mechanics - Statics by Hibbeler

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Deepen your understanding of statics principles by working through additional examples and problems in a comprehensive textbook.

View Statics and Mechanics of Materials in SI Units on Amazon

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Read the relevant chapters corresponding to the course syllabus.
Work through example problems in the textbook.
Attempt end-of-chapter problems for practice.

Four other activities

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Free Body Diagram Practice

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Improve your ability to draw accurate free body diagrams, a crucial skill for solving statics problems.

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Find statics problems online or in textbooks.
Draw free body diagrams for each problem.
Compare your diagrams with solutions.
Repeat with increasingly complex scenarios.

Tutor a Classmate in Statics

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Reinforce your understanding of statics by explaining concepts and helping a classmate with their homework.

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Offer to help a classmate struggling with statics.
Review the relevant concepts together.
Work through example problems and explain your reasoning.
Answer their questions and provide guidance.

Create a Statics Problem Tutorial

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Solidify your understanding by creating a tutorial explaining how to solve a specific type of statics problem.

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Choose a statics problem type (e.g., truss analysis).
Solve the problem step-by-step.
Create a written or video tutorial explaining each step.
Share your tutorial with peers for feedback.

Design a Simple Truss Structure

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Apply your knowledge of truss analysis to design a simple truss structure that can support a specific load.

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Define the load and support conditions.
Design the truss geometry.
Analyze the truss using the method of joints or sections.
Verify the design's structural integrity.

Career center

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

Structural Engineer

A structural engineer analyzes and designs structures, ensuring their stability and safety under various loads. This course in Engineering Mechanics Statics helps build a foundation for understanding how forces act on rigid bodies, a core principle in structural analysis. The course covers topics like vector and scalar operations, free body diagrams, and equilibrium, all essential for a structural engineer to assess structural integrity and design safe, efficient structures. Mastery of free body diagrams, which this course emphasizes, is particularly crucial for visualizing and calculating forces acting on structural elements. Any aspiring structural engineer benefits from the deep dive into statics offered here.

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Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers design, develop, and test aircraft and spacecraft. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course provides crucial knowledge for understanding forces and moments acting on aerospace structures. The course's coverage of vector mechanics, equilibrium, and free body diagrams are directly applicable to analyzing the stability and control of aircraft and spacecraft. An aerospace engineer needs a firm grasp of statics to calculate loads on airframes, design control systems, and ensure structural integrity during flight. The detailed examples and step by step solutions in this course may give any aerospace engineer a leg up.

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Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers design and develop mechanical systems and devices. This course in Engineering Mechanics Statics helps build a foundation for analyzing forces and moments acting on mechanical components. A mechanical engineer uses principles of statics to design machines, engines, and other mechanical systems that are both safe and efficient. The course's emphasis on free body diagrams, equilibrium, and vector analysis directly applies to solving real-world mechanical engineering problems, such as determining stresses in machine parts or designing support structures. The course's coverage of moments of inertia and internal loadings may be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil engineers design, construct, and maintain infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and buildings. This course in Engineering Mechanics Statics provides the fundamental knowledge needed to ensure the stability and safety of these structures. A civil engineer applies principles of statics to analyze forces, calculate stresses, and design structures that can withstand various loads. The course's focus on equilibrium, free body diagrams, and methods of joints and sections is directly relevant to structural analysis and design in civil engineering. Any civil engineer may find the course's wide array of examples to be helpful.

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Robotics Engineer

Robotics engineers design, build, and program robots for various applications. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course is highly relevant to understanding the forces and moments acting on robot arms and joints. A robotics engineer uses principles of statics to analyze robot stability, determine motor torques, and design control systems. The course's coverage of vector mechanics, equilibrium, and free body diagrams helps in designing robots that can perform tasks accurately and safely. The course may be very helpful when approaching problems with a robotics system.

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Automotive Engineer

Automotive engineers are involved in the design, development, and manufacturing of vehicles. This course in Engineering Mechanics Statics provides a strong foundation for understanding the forces and stresses acting on vehicle components. An automotive engineer applies principles of statics to analyze vehicle stability, suspension systems, and chassis design. The course's emphasis on free body diagrams, equilibrium, and moments of inertia is directly applicable to ensuring vehicle safety and performance. For anyone in this career, this course may be useful prior to delving into more advanced material.

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Stress Analyst

A stress analyst uses computer simulations and mathematical models to predict how structures and components behave under stress. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course provides the foundational knowledge needed to understand the principles behind stress analysis. Principles of statics are useful for setting up simulations, interpreting results, and validating models. The course's coverage of equilibrium, free body diagrams, and internal loadings helps to accurately predict stress distributions and identify potential failure points. Typically, stress analysts possess an advanced degree.

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Product Designer

Product designers create new products, focusing on both functionality and aesthetics. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course may be useful in understanding how forces affect the structural integrity of a product. A product designer can use principles of statics to analyze the stability and durability of designs, ensuring they meet performance requirements. The course's coverage of equilibrium and free body diagrams may help in optimizing product designs for strength and efficiency. This knowledge may be especially useful when designing products that bear a heavy load.

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Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing engineers improve efficiency and productivity in manufacturing processes. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course provides a foundation for understanding the forces acting on equipment and materials in a manufacturing setting. Manufacturing engineers can use principles of statics to design stable and safe workstations, optimize material handling systems, and analyze the forces involved in machining and assembly processes. The course's coverage of equilibrium might be useful in ensuring the stability of manufacturing equipment.

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Naval Architect

Naval architects design and oversee the construction and repair of ships and other marine vessels. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course may be useful in understanding hydrostatic forces and stability principles. A naval architect applies principles of statics to analyze vessel stability, calculate buoyancy forces, and design hull structures that can withstand hydrostatic pressure. The course's coverage of equilibrium and moments might be useful in ensuring the safe operation of marine vessels.

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Architectural Engineer

Architectural engineers focus on the structural and mechanical systems of buildings, ensuring they are safe, efficient, and sustainable. This course in Engineering Mechanics Statics may be useful for building a foundation for understanding structural loads and stability. The course's topics such as free body diagrams, equilibrium, and moments of forces may help analyze building components and ensure structural integrity. An architectural engineer can also use the principles learned to design efficient HVAC and plumbing systems that integrate with the building's structure.

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Test Engineer

Test engineers plan and conduct tests on products and systems to ensure they meet quality standards and performance requirements. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course might be useful in understanding the principles behind testing and how forces and loads affect the behavior of materials and structures. A test engineer can use this knowledge to design effective test setups, interpret test data, and identify potential failure points. The course's coverage of equilibrium may be helpful when designing experiments.

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Quality Control Inspector

A quality control inspector examines products and materials to ensure they meet specified standards and requirements. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course may be useful in understanding how forces can affect the integrity and performance of products. A quality control inspector can use this knowledge to identify defects, assess compliance with standards, and ensure that products are safe and reliable. The course's discussion of measurements may be relevant to this role.

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Drafter

Drafters prepare technical drawings and plans used by production and construction workers. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course may be useful in understanding the fundamental principles behind engineering designs. While a drafter typically uses computer-aided design software to create drawings, knowledge of statics can help them understand how structures and mechanisms function, which can improve the accuracy and clarity of their drawings. The course's coverage of diagrams might be useful for visually representing engineering concepts.

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Technical Writer

Technical writers create documentation such as instruction manuals, how-to guides, and journal articles. This Engineering Mechanics Statics course may be useful in developing a basic understanding of engineering concepts related to statics. This understanding can enable effective communication of technical information to a broader audience. The course’s coverage of examples may be useful when explaining technical concepts to those without a technical background.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Engineering Mechanics: Statics.

Statics and Mechanics of Materials in SI Units

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This textbook comprehensive resource for statics, covering all the topics in the course with detailed explanations and numerous examples. It provides a strong foundation in the principles of statics and their applications to engineering problems. is particularly useful as a reference tool for solving complex problems and understanding advanced concepts. It is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

Statics and Mechanics of Materials in SI Units

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Putting Knowledge to Work

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Provides a concise overview of statics principles with numerous solved problems and practice exercises. It valuable resource for reinforcing your understanding of key concepts and developing problem-solving skills. This book is particularly helpful for students who need additional practice and want to test their knowledge. It serves as a useful supplement to the main textbook.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Paperback

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Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

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Engineering Mechanics

Statics

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Solid foundation in engineering statics

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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