INTER AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO
BAYAMON CAMPUS
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
MECN 3005 – Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Required
Catalog Description: Analysis of force systems. Application of the law of balance to particles and rigid
bodies. Emphasis on problem solving in two and three dimensions. Calculation of the gravity center,
centroid and moment of inertia. Analysis of simple structures. Includes distributed weights, internal
forces and friction. Analysis of beams under different types of loads and supports.
Pre-requisite(s): PHYS 3311 – Physics for Engineers I
Textbook:
Hibbeler, R.C., Engineering Mechanics - Static and Dynamics, 11th. Ed., Prentice Hall,
2007.
Suggested References:
Bedford, Anthony. and Fowler Wallce., Engineering Mechanics
- Statics and
Dynamics, 4th edition, Prentice Hall, 2005.
Beer, F.P. and Johnston, E.R.,Vector Mechanics for Engineers - Statics and Dynamics,
7th Ed., McGraw-Hill, 2004.
Meriam J. L.,Kraige L. G., Engineering Mechanics: Statics and Dynamics, 5th Ed., John
Wiley & Sons, 2002.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe force vectors and represent them in one, two, and three dimensions.
2. Determine the resultants of forces and moments in two and three dimensions.
3. Use Newton’s Laws of motion to analyze the equilibrium of particles and rigid bodies in one, two,
and three dimensions.
4. Apply principles of particle and rigid-body equilibrium to analyze simple structures such as pinned
trusses, frames, and machines.
5. Apply principles of equilibrium to determine internal forces and moments in simple beams,
columns, trusses, frames, and machines.
6. Describe forces due to dry friction and analyze the equilibrium of simple systems on which friction
acts such as wedges, screws, flat belts, bearings, and wheels.
7. Describe the concepts of the center of gravity, center of mass, centroid, and be able to locate
these centers on a variety of bodies such as lines, areas, volumes, and masses.
8. Describe the concepts of moments and products of inertias as applied to particles, lines, areas,
volumes, and masses.
Topics Covered
Lecture Topic*
1. Introduction: General Principles
2. Statics of Particles-2D: Vector Addition and Rectangular Components
3. Statics of Particles-2D: Forces Vectors “Concurrent Forces System”
4. Statics of Particles-2D: Equilibrium of a Particle: “Free Body Diagrams”
5. Statics of Rigid Bodies-2D:Moment Systems “Planar Moments and Couples”
6. Statics of Rigid Bodies-2D: Equivalent Forces Systems “Reduction of Systems”
7. Statics of Rigid Bodies-2D: Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies “Typical Supports”
8. Statics of Rigid Bodies-2D: Center of Gravity and Centroids
9. Statics of Rigid Bodies-2D: Distributed Loads on Beams
10. Statics of Rigid Bodies-2D: Structural Analysis
11. Statics of Rigid Bodies-2D: Internal Forces
12. Statics of Rigid Bodies-2D: Moments of Inertial
13. Statics of Rigid Bodies-2D: Friction
14. Statics of Particles-3D: Addition of Rectangular Vector “Direction Cosines”
15. Statics of Particles-3D:Position Vectors “Force Directed Along a Line”
16. Statics of Particles-3D: Equilibrium of Particle in Three Dimensions
17. Statics of Rigid Bodies-3D: Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies “Typical Supports-3D”
18. Statics of Rigid Bodies-3D: Structural Analysis
*Schedule is subject to change
Class/Lab Schedule: Three credit hours. Forty-five hour lecture per term.
Grading Policy
Grades are reported according to the following standard grading system:
A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), D (60-69), F (0-59)
Contribution of Course to Meeting Professional Component
Three credit hours of engineering science and two credit hours of engineering design.
Relationship of Course to Program Outcomes**
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
I
j
k











**The numbers and letters correspond to the Program Educational Objectives and Program Outcomes of
mechanical engineering, respectively.
Revised by: Prof. Jorge Diazagranados Jimenez,
Date: 2/12/16
Supporting Services or Special Needs
Students requiring additional services or special assistance must request these at the beginning of the course or as
soon as they learn that they need them, through the appropriate register in the Coordination Office of Student
Services located on the Student Affair Office.
Honesty, Fraud and Plagiarism (General Student Regulations, Chapter V)
The lack of honesty, fraud, plagiarism and any other inadequate behavior in relation to academic work constitute
major infractions sanctioned by General Student Regulations. Major infractions, according to General Regulation
Students, may result in suspension from the University for a definite period of time greater than one year or the
permanent expulsion from the University, among others sanctions.