Statics (5 ECTS)

Objective

On completion of the course the student can
• define force and moment
• combine forces
• calculate moment of a force along a point
• show forces acting on a body and draw a free body diagramme, as well as write equations of equilibrium for a body
• define equilibrium equations
• solve unknown forces using equations of equilibrium; solve support reactions of a structure
• solve the support reactions of rod structures
• identify statically determined structures and identify turning over
• describe friction
• determine internal forces and describe internal force diagrammes
• draw shear and moment diagrams

Acquired knowledge; the student
• knows basic concepts in statics
• can explain the significance of the equilibrium of a rigid body
• can explain the significance of internal and external forces in the equilibrium of a rigid body
• can explain forces influencing the equilibrium of a rigid body also in relation to turning over, or when equilibrium is maintained by friction
• can explain the significance of internal forces for keeping a body intact
• can explain the sign conventions of internal forces of a statically determined structure and the significance of internal force diagrammes.

Acquired skills; the student
• can work with force systems and form an equivalent force system
• can draw a free body diagramme and use it
• can write and solve equations of equilibrium
• can solve cable systems and other simple internal forces
• can identify a statically determined structure and solve support reactions of a structure
• can explain forces influencing the equilibrium of a rigid body in relation to turning over and understand friction as part of an equilibrium
• understands internal forces in beams and frames, and can draw diagrammes for them, as well as moment and displacement diagrammes

Content

• Basic concepts of statics based on Newton's laws of mechanics
• Treatment of force systems
• Moment of a force system with respect to a point, force couple
• Replacement of a force system by a resultant, equivalent force system
• Treatment of a force system in 3-dimensional space
• Distributed force
• Equilibrium of a rigid body
• Formation and use of free body patterns
• Rope forces in rope and rope-beam systems
• Support reactions in rod structures
• Support reactions in articulated structures
• Identification of a statically determined structure
• Overturning of a rigid structure
• Friction force as part of the equilibrium system
• Internal forces and their signalling rules
• Expressions for the internal force constants of beams and frames

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to apply statics to simple situations, using examples similar to the situation in question as models.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student is able to apply statics to situations that are similar in outline to examples they are familiar with.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to apply statics in an open-minded and critical way also in new and demanding situations.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to apply statics to simple situations, using examples similar to the situation in question as models.

Qualifications

Mathematics 1, Fundamentals of Physics