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This textbook has been prepared to support an integrated course offering for Statics and Mechanics of Materials. Hopefully the integration of the topics of these two closely related courses will make the learning experience for the students easier and more meaningful. Statics provides the first exposure of engineering students to the study of mechanics. While Statics is a relatively simple subject, many students find it difficult, and they often perform far below our expectations. In an effort to improve the curriculum, the authors working with several members of the faculty at the University of Maryland have attempted to enhance the student's learning experience when studying the first two courses in mechanics. This textbook indicates some of the changes in the philosophy adopted by the faculty when presenting the subject matter traditionally offered in the first two mechanics courses.
Present the fundamental concepts in a more interesting manner by making the content more realistic and less abstract. Also by coupling the mechanics content tightly to design.
Provide a smooth transition from Introduction to Engineering Design to an integrated treatment that encompasses both Statics and Mechanics of Materials. Provide the analysis methods and the scaling relations for verifying the safety of the design of structural elements
Emphasize modeling structural components by stressing throughout the text the importance of preparing a complete free body diagram (FBD). We show the method for constructing complete FBDs and integrate the FBD with the application of the equilibrium equations. We approach the solution of equilibrium problems with equilibrium relations based on force and moment components. Finally we introduce vectors in conjunction with forces and moments, but only employ vector analysis after both FBDs and equilibrium concepts have been firmly established.
Integrate the content of Statics with that of Mechanics of Materials. The concepts of normal and shearing stresses are introduced early in Statics. Topics associated with Statics and with Mechanics of Materials are merged in Chapters 4 through 9. Chapters 10 though 15 describe topics typically found in Mechanics of Materials but with a heavy emphasis on design. Fracture mechanics, a topic new to Mechanics of Materials courses, is introduced in Chapter 16.
Emphasize the design of structural components for safety. Stress is compared to strength to give safety factors for components. Behavior of engineering materials is introduced and physical properties such as strength and modulus of elasticity are described. Sizing of structural components for safety and cost are demonstrated.
