Course Assessment Report
College of Engineering, The University of Iowa
(Revised 6 May 2009)
Course # and Name: 059:007 Statics
Semester and Instructor: Spring 2009, Wilfrid Nixon
Coordinator: Asghar Bhatti, CEE Department
Student Head Count: 72
Teaching Assistants Head Count and FTE: 3 (0.75 FTE)
Catalog Description: Vector algebra, forces, couples, moments, resultants of force couple systems;
friction, equilibrium analysis of particles and finite bodies, centroids; applications. Prerequisite:
22M:031. Corequisites: 22M:032 and 029:081.
I. Course Goals and Program Outcomes
Indicate the Program Outcomes associated with each Course Learning Goal along with the extent
(moderate or substantial) of these associations
Course Learning Goal
Program Outcome
1. Representation of forces and moments as vectors in two and three dimensions.
A(•1), E(•), K(•)
2. Use of equilibrium equations to determine the forces acting on a point or a body in two and
A(•), E(•), K(•)
three dimensions.
3. Use of the concepts of equilibrium to determine forces acting on trusses and in frames and
A(•), E(•), K(•)
machines.
4. Use of the concepts of equilibrium to analyze simple friction problems.
A(•), E(•), K(•)
5. Determination of the centroids of simple and composite shapes.
A(•), E(•), K(•)
6. Determination of the moments of inertia of simple and composite cross sections.
A(•), E(•), K(•)
7. Composition of a written description of the principles of statics observable in a structure.
G(w)(•)
Notes: ○ denotes moderate contribution to the outcome ● denotes substantial contribution to the outcome
II. Program Outcomes (provided for reference).
New graduates from the College of Engineering Undergraduate Programs will have:
(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
(b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
(c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic,
environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
(d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
(e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
(f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
(g) an ability to communicate effectively
(h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and
societal context
(i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
(j) a knowledge of contemporary issues
(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
III. Assessment
Part A. Log of Recent Improvements, Recommendations and Comments. Append a brief, dated,
summary of improvements and recommendations made during the current offering along with
motivations and significant comments. If the course is meeting its objectives and no comments are
needed, say this. Six year and older entries may be deleted.
Spring 2004
Re-organization of the material: It appears to me that the course moves very slow in the beginning
because of the need to review 3D vectors and their applications. The actual statics principles get lost in
the details of vector algebra. I propose to skip material related to 3D problems in the beginning and
cover it towards the end of the course. This will have three benefits. First, the students will have
opportunity to thoroughly understand equilibrium concepts and their applications to planar problems.
Almost all actual truss, frame, machine, and friction problems assigned in the course (incidentally also
those that appear in the Fundamentals of Engineering exam) involve two-dimensional analysis.
Second, the material on centroids and moments of inertia will be covered earlier in the semester when
students are not burdened by the end of the semester activities in every course. Third, the students will
be in better position to separate basic concepts from the vector algebra details when the 3D problems
are actually covered.
Fall 2004
In the Spring 2004 it was recommended to skip material related to 3D problems in the beginning and
cover it towards the end of the course. This change was implemented in Fall 2004. From the
comments, and performance of students in the exams, it appears that the change was received well.
There were no negative comments related to this topic. Students were also more positive about the
course as reflected in the higher mean scores on all EASY questions. They generally did better in the
exams as well.
Fall 2005
Writing project: The writing process continued the use of the refined grading process described above.
This should be continued next semester.
We switched to ICON. All lectures and solutions to HW and exams were posted on the ICON site for
the class. The use of ICON should be continued.
Fall 2006
Teaching aids: Two hands-on laboratory experiments were added during the discussion sections.
Student comments about these labs were generally positive.
Class activities (Group problem solving) were incorporated into the lectures. This helped in breaking
the monotony of the lectures and provided students an opportunity to discuss the material with their
classmates. Most students liked these class activities.
Fall 2007
Text book: The textbook for the course was changed to: Engineering Mechanics: Statics by J. L.
Meriam and L. G. Kraige, Wiley and Sons, NY, Sixth Edition. The textbook adequately covered all the
topics towards meeting the course goals.
Fall 2008
We changed the writing assignment to make room in the course for some (limited) hands on
experiments. In the assignment, the students were asked to write a Letter of Intent (to submit a
proposal), Proposal (to conduct several experiments) and Report describing and documenting the
results of these experiments. These tasks were distributed over the course of the semester. In the next
year we need to end and grade them sooner to provide more feedback to the students.
We also complemented the lectures and the discussion sessions with several extra evening sessions
during which students worked on problems while the lecturers and the TAs walked around and
consulted the students. This allows for “customized” help as the mathematics and physics background
among the students varies considerably.
Spring 2009
To allow for a comparison between the writing assignment given in Fall 2008 and the assignment more
traditionally given, the writing assignment this semester was the more traditional assignment. It is
hoped that a fairly formal comparison between the two types of assignment can be conducted.
Additionally, the need for students to conduct experiments may create some issues if TA resources are
significantly reduced as appears to be likely. No other changes to the course were made.
Part A. Improvements and Recommendations this Semester. Provide a description of course
improvements that have occurred this semester relative to those of previous semester (including the
motivation for these changes), and recommended changes for upcoming semesters as needed.
Fall 2007
The class average for Exam 1 was around 40 and the students perceived the exam to be difficult. An
extra help session was held on Friday afternoons on a voluntary basis by one of the instructors (open to
students from both sections) and an average of ten students took advantage of this help. The comments
from the students participated indicated that the help session was useful in their preparation for the
exams.
Fall 2008
The class average for Exam 1 was below 40 again this year. It is our impression that the students are
not well prepared for the difficulty of the exam and lose point unnecessarily. Extra help sessions were
well attended; an average of twenty students took advantage of this help. The comments from the
students who participated indicated that the help sessions were useful in their preparation for the
exams.
We also ran into significant issues with students having the solutions manual. As a result, they were
getting high scores on their homework, but this was not translating into preparedness for the exams.
We may consider decreasing or eliminating the homework portion of the grade, and instead opting for
quizzes in class, based on “suggested” homework that we expect them to do and understand. This way,
the first exam will not be such a huge surprise.
Spring 2009
The exam 1 average was 46.9/60, exam 2 average was 38.9/60 and the final exam average was
75.6/100. The issue of students getting the solutions manual is a major concern and is likely not
avoidable. One small step toward minimizing this is to assign a problem but change some of the values
(e.g. do problem 2.37 but replace the 100 lb weight with a 200 lb weight). While in most cases this
simply requires students to do a straight substitution it appears that those who rely heavily on the
solutions manual are not willing or able to do this. Regardless, the first exam was not a major concern
for students. The second exam was tougher, but this likely reflects a tougher selection of questions than
normal.
The homework portion of the grade may have to be reduced depending on the availability of TA
support.
Part B. Quantitative Assessment Results. Enter in the table below an assessment of the percentage
of passing students achieving mastery (B+ to A+ level achievement), competency (C- to B level
achievement) or exposure (D- to D+ level achievement) for each course learning goal.
To make room for the rightmost “new” entry, delete the leftmost “old” entry.
Course Learning Goal And
Assessment Basis
1. Representation of forces and moments as vectors
in two and three dimensions.
2. Use of equilibrium equations to determine the
forces acting on a point or a body in two and three
dimensions.
3. Use of the concepts of equilibrium to determine
forces acting on trusses and in frames and
machines.
4. Use of the concepts of equilibrium to analyze
simple friction problems.
5. Determination of the centroids of simple and
composite shapes.
6. Determination of the moments of inertia of
simple and composite cross sections.
7. Composition of a written description of the
principles of statics observable in a structure.
M
C
E
M
C
E
M
C
E
M
C
E
M
C
E
M
C
E
M
C
E
Sp
09
41
47
12
41
47
12
41
47
12
41
47
12
41
47
12
41
47
12
86
10
4
Part C. Please attach a current syllabus.
59:007: Engineering Fundamentals I – Statics
Spring Semester 2009
Time and Place:
Lectures
10:30 – 11:20 TTh
107 EPB
Discussion Section A31
9:30 – 10:20 M
2229 SC
Discussion Section A32
11:30 – 12:20 M
4030 SC
Instructor:
Prof. Wilfrid Nixon
Wilfrid-nixon@uiowa.edu
4113 SC
5-5166
TAs:
Anissa Gerard (anissa@mchsi.com)
CJ Brooks (curtis-brooks@uiowa.edu )
Office Hours / Workroom:
Professor Nixon:
Location
Time:
3501 SC
TTh 9:00 – 10:15 a.m. (starting January 22)
Anissa
Location
Time:
3258 SC
MW 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.
CJ
Location
Time:
3258 SC
MW 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Text: Meriam, J.L. and Kraige, L.G, Engineering Mechanics - Statics, 6th Ed., Wiley, 2006.
59:007 Engineering Fundamentals I – Statics
Spring Semester 2009
Instructor: Wilfrid A. Nixon
Textbook: Meriam, J.L. and Kraige, L.G, Engineering Mechanics - Statics, 6th Ed.,
Wiley, 2006.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Lect
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Date
Jan 20
Jan 22
Jan 27
Jan 29
Feb 3
Feb 5
Feb 10
Feb 12
Feb 17
Feb 19
11
12
13
14
15
16
--17
18
19
20
21
Feb 24
Feb 26
Mar 3
Mar 5
Mar 10
Mar 12
Mar 17
Mar 19
Mar 24
Mar 26
Mar 31
Apr 2
Apr 7
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Apr 9
Apr 14
Apr 16
Apr 21
Apr 23
Apr 28
Apr 30
May 5
May 7
May 11
Lecture Topics
General Principles
Force Vectors
Equilibrium of a Particle
3D Equilibrium
Moment, CTC Presentation
Force-Couple System
Force-Couple System
Distributed Force System
Review
Exam 1: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Room 107 EPB (no
regular class)
Rigid Body Equilibrium
Equilibrium in Two Dimensions
Equilibrium in Three Dimensions
Forces in Trusses: Method of Joints
Forces in Trusses: Method of Sections
Space Trusses
Spring Break
Spring Break
Forces in Frames and Machines
Forces in Frames and Machines
Forces in Frames and Machines
Review
Exam 2: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Room 107 EPB (no
regular class)
Frictional Forces
Tipping and Impending Motion
Problems Involving Friction
Center of Gravity Using Integration
Center of Gravity of Composite Sections
Moment of Inertia using Integration
Moment of Inertia of Composite Sections
Mass Moment of Inertia
Review
Final Exam,12 noon – 2:00 p.m., Room 107
EPB
Sections
Chap 1
2.1–2.3, 2.7
3.1 – 3.3
3.4
2.4 – 2.6
2.8 – 2.10
2.8 – 2.10
5.1, 5.6
Prbs Due
Set # 1
Set # 2
Set # 3
Set # 4
Set # 5
Set # 6
Set # 7
Set # 8
-
3.1
3.2 – 3.3
3.4
4.1 – 4.3
4.4
4.5
Set # 9
Set # 10
Set # 11
Set # 12
Set # 13
4.6 – 4.7
4.6 – 4.7
4.6 – 4.7
Set # 14
Set # 15
Set # 16
Set # 17
6.1 – 6.3
6.1 – 6.3
6.4 – 6.5
5.1 – 5.3
5.4
A1 – A2
A3
B
Set # 18
Set # 19
Set # 20
Set # 21
Set # 22
Set # 23
Set # 24
Set # 25
59:007 Engineering Fundamentals I - Statics
Spring Semester 2009
COURSE DESCRIPTION
1: Textbook: Meriam, J.L. and Kraige, L.G, Engineering Mechanics - Statics, 6th Ed., Wiley, 2006, available at IMU
Bookstore
2: Pre- and Co-requisites: 22M:31 (pre-requisite). 22M:32 and 29:17 (co-requisites)
3: Homework Policy:
•
Homework problem solutions may be developed independently or collaboratively. But
homework submissions must be individual, independent work.
•
•
Problems are due at the start of class on the date shown in the schedule.
All homework problems submitted on time will be graded and will be returned at the next discussion
session.
•
Late homework is not accepted without a valid written and signed excuse.
•
Problem solving will be covered in lectures and in discussion sessions.
•
A proper solution format is required which includes a proper free-body diagram (where appropriate).
Homework MUST be submitted on Engineering paper
•
Student number (last 5 digits) and section number must be written on each homework page.
4: Exams and Quizzes
•
Unannounced quizzes may be given at random in discussion sections. They will be graded and returned
at the next discussion session.
•
Missed quizzes may not be made up.
•
A valid written and signed excuse will be considered if a quiz is missed, otherwise that grade is recorded
as “zero.”
•
Two closed-book midterm exams will be given during the term, with no make-up exams.
•
One two-hour final comprehensive closed-book exam will be given. If a student is unable to take the final
examination due to some extenuating circumstance, he or she will be given a comprehensive oral
examination by the instructors at the earliest mutually convenient time.
•
Zero credit will be assigned for a missed exam, unless the student submits a legitimate, documented,
excuse in writing.
signed
5: Grading:
•
Homework and Quizzes = 15%
•
Essay = 15%
•
First Midterm Examination = 15%
•
Second Midterm Examination = 15%
•
Final Examination = 40%
6: Student Misconduct:
•
The College of Engineering Policy on Student Misconduct will be strictly followed.
•
Cheating on a quiz or examination is an automatic course grade of F for all students involved.
•
Homework copying is a zero and a reprimand the first time, and a zero grade on all homework the second
time for all students involved.
7: Course Description:
•
This course provides students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate an understanding of the basic
scientific principles involved in the Newtonian analysis of particles and finite bodies in equilibrium, and to
acquire and exhibit the ability to apply these principles in the solution of typical practical engineering
problems.
•
The lectures are normally organized as a combined lecture/discussion session. From 1/4 to 1/2 of each lecture
session will involve problem solving. The single discussion session each week will include question and
answer time, problem solving, and return of the most recent quiz. Thus, the lectures will be used to introduce
terminology, explain and motivate theory, and describe the general application techniques in solving
problems, while the discussion sessions will provide the student with time for interactive discussion of more
specific problems or techniques.
•
Statics is basically an analysis course in which problem definition and problem solving techniques and
procedures are emphasized. A thorough understanding of the terminology and underlying theory is essential
in order to be able to apply that theory correctly. A clear and straightforward procedure of mechanical
analysis is also needed in order to solve well-posed statics problems.
•
Class room illustrations and homework problems bear a close resemblance to quiz questions, and are therefore
extremely important in preparing students to do well in the course. Understanding and doing homework
problems properly is the key to the course.
8: Course Objectives
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
•
Express forces, relative locations, and moments or couples as vector quantities in Cartesian reference
frames;
•
Determine resultant forces and moments for general force-couple systems, and find equivalent forcesystems;
•
Construct suitable mechanical models for simple engineering structures in equilibrium, and the individual
component elements of each structure;
•
Draw a proper free-body diagram for each element of the system model, and write the corresponding
equations of equilibrium;
•
Write appropriate kinematic auxiliary conditions, and eliminate extraneous kinematic unknowns from the
equations of equilibrium;
•
Solve systems of simplified equilibrium equations for unknown kinematic and/or kinetic quantities;
•
Locate fictitious “centers” of discrete and continuous scalar distributions, such as centers of length, area,
volume, charge, mass, parallel discrete forces, and parallel continuous force distributions;
•
Determine area moments of inertia for simple geometrical figures, and for complex figures composed of a
number of simple geometric shapes, using the parallel-axis theorem;
•
Analyze equilibrium states of mechanical systems in the presence of dry (Coulomb) friction;
•
Solve typical statics problems on the Iowa Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination; and
•
Express the principles of statics in common objects in clear written English.
ALL WITHOUT THE AID OF NOTES AND REFERENCES.
couple