STATICS OF RIGID BODIES

MODULE 1

1st TERM
S.Y. 2020-2021
mcb
 INSTRUCTIONS

Each module begins with a

learning objective and an outline
of each subtopics to be covered.

Module lessons are composed of

several sample problems and end-
of-module problems for the
students to solve.

Concept applications are

presented on select sections/topics
to amplify student learning.

Statics of Rigid Bodies PAGE 2

 Chapter 1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Define Mechanics and its fundamental principles

• Determine how to approach a problem and the appropriate
units to be used.

CHAPTER OUTLINE

• What is Mechanics
•

1.1 What is Mechanics

*Mechanics is an applied velocity. Dynamics is concerned

science that describes and
predicts the conditions of rest
or motion of bodies under the
action of forces
**Mechanics is concerned with
the state of rest or motion of
bodies that are subjected to the
action of forces.
Rigid-body Mechanics is
divided into STATICS and
DYNAMICS. Where, Statics
concerns bodies at rest or
bodies moving at a constant
with bodies in motion
It is assumed that this bodies
are rigid. However, this bodies
(machines/structures) deform
when subjected to a load. These
deformations are tackled in
Strength of Materials. The third
division is called Fluid
Mechanics which deals with
compressible and non-
compressible fluids.

Statics of Rigid Bodies PAGE 3

1.1 Fundamental Concepts

Basic concepts:
1. Length (space)
2. time
3. mass
4. force.

1.2 Idealization

A rigid body is composed of numerous particles occupying a fixed position.

The study of mechanics of particles is an important prerequisite in the study
of rigid bodies.

An example of a rigid body is a railroad wheel made up of steel.

Figure 1: MRT (image extracted from http://www.n-sharyo.co.jp/business/tetsudo/images/zmanira_lrt.jpg)

A particle has a mass but negligible size.

Statics of Rigid Bodies PAGE 4

Figure 2: The Earth's position in the milky way (https://didyouknow.org/graphics/space/Earth%20in%20Milky%20Way.jpg)

1.2 Fundamental Principles

The six fundamental principles are:

1. The parallelogram law for the addition of forces

2. The Principle of Transmissibility

Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

3. First Law:
4. Second Law:
5. Third Law:
6. Newton’s Law of Gravitation

Statics of Rigid Bodies PAGE 5

PROBLEM SOLVING APPROACH

• Approach a problem by drawing from you past experiences in

solving engineering problems. First and foremost is to read and
understand the problem. There is no such thing as ‘magic’ in
mechanics. A good solution conforms to the six fundamental
principles as presented above.

• It is important to represent the components of the problem or

to model it. A free-body-diagram is a requirement in this
subject and without it you will get lost and confuse one thing
for another.

• Always review your solution and try to approach the same

problem using another method.

ACTIVITY 1: Concept and Fundamental Principles of Mechanics

Instruction:

1. Refer to Newton’s three laws of motion. Research on these three laws and give a real-
life situation where these laws are observed.
2. What is a free body diagram and how do you construct one?
3. Answer the following problems as a review.
3.1 Determine the weight in newtons of a car whose mass is 1400 kg. Convert the
mass of the car to slugs and then determine its weight in pounds.
3.2 Use Newton’s law of universal gravitation to calculate the weight of a 70-kg
person standing on the surface of the earth. Then repeat the calculation by using
W = mg and compare your two results.
3.3 For the vectors V1 and V2 shown in the figure if V1 = 4 units, V2 = 3 units
(a) determine the magnitude S of their vector sum S = V1 + V2
(b) determine the angle 𝛼 between S and the positive x-axis
(c) write S as a vector in terms of the unit vectors i and j and then write a unit
vector n along the vector sum S
(d) determine the vector difference D = V1 − V2

Statics of Rigid Bodies PAGE 6

 Review:
1. International Systems of Units (SI units)
2. US customary Units
3. Parallelogram Law
4. Triangle Law

Note: A good study habit is one which you can sustain. After and before each lesson, reflect
on what you have learned and isolate topics which you have difficulty dealing with.

Reading Materials:

A. Textbook

Singer, Ferdinand L. (1970). Engineering Mechanics. 2nd Edition, Harper and Row, New York.

B. Books

Beer, F. P., Johnston, Jr., E. R. and Eisenberg, E. R. (2007). Vector Mechanics for Engineers. 8th
Edition, McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., New York, NY.

Statics of Rigid Bodies PAGE 7

Hibbeler, R. C., Fan, S. C. (1995). Engineering Mechanics (Statics). SI Edition, Prentice-Hall, Inc.,
Singapore.

Meriam, J. L., Kraige, L. G. (2002). Engineering Mechanics (Statics). 5th Edition, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., New York, NY

Statics of Rigid Bodies PAGE 8