Engineering Mechanics – Statics

Course Description

ETG 2502 is a 3-credit-hour course in the study of force systems in equilibrium, aligned to the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under Engineering Technologies > General Engineering Technology. The course introduces students to the mathematical and scientific principles governing static mechanical systems, preparing them for advanced coursework in engineering mechanics, strength of materials, and related engineering technology fields. Students apply vector algebra and trigonometry to analyze forces on particles, rigid bodies, and engineering structures in two and three dimensions.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply the principles of static equilibrium to analyze two-dimensional and three-dimensional force systems on particles and rigid bodies.
• Represent forces and moments as vectors and perform vector addition, resolution into components, and dot/cross product operations.
• Construct accurate free-body diagrams to isolate systems and identify all acting forces and reactions.
• Calculate moments and couples of forces about points and axes, and determine equivalent force-couple systems.
• Analyze trusses using the Method of Joints and Method of Sections to determine member forces.
• Analyze frames and machines by identifying and solving multi-body equilibrium systems.
• Determine centroids and centers of gravity for lines, areas, and composite bodies using integration and tabular methods.
• Compute moments of inertia (area and mass) and apply the Parallel Axis Theorem for composite cross-sections.
• Analyze friction phenomena, including dry (Coulomb) friction, and solve problems involving impending motion on flat surfaces and wedges.
• Formulate and solve engineering statics problems systematically, communicating solutions with proper units, notation, and engineering reasoning.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on instructor and program emphasis, students may also:

• Analyze internal forces in beams, including shear force and bending moment diagrams.
• Apply virtual work and potential energy methods to determine equilibrium conditions.
• Solve problems involving flexible cables and distributed load systems.
• Use computational tools (e.g., MATLAB, spreadsheets) to solve statics problems numerically.
• Conduct hands-on scale model analysis and testing of bridge, truss, or tower-type structures.
• Calculate mass moments of inertia for three-dimensional solid bodies.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following topics are covered across all standard Florida college offerings of ETG 2502:

1. Introduction to Statics and Vector Mathematics — Scalar and vector quantities; unit vectors; vector addition, subtraction, and resolution; dot product and cross product; Newton's Laws and the principle of static equilibrium.
2. Force Systems in 2D and 3D — Rectangular components; resultant of concurrent force systems; free-body diagram construction; equilibrium conditions (ΣF = 0, ΣM = 0).
3. Moments and Couples — Moment of a force about a point and about an axis; couple moments; equivalent force-couple systems; resultant of a distributed load.
4. Equilibrium of Particles — Two-dimensional and three-dimensional particle equilibrium; spring and cable systems; support reactions.
5. Equilibrium of Rigid Bodies — Types of supports and reactions (2D and 3D); statically determinate vs. indeterminate structures; three-force members.
6. Analysis of Trusses — Simple planar trusses; Method of Joints; Method of Sections; zero-force members; three-dimensional trusses (space trusses).
7. Frames and Machines — Multi-body rigid-body systems; identifying two-force and multi-force members; solving for internal pin forces.
8. Distributed Forces, Centroids, and Centers of Gravity — Centroid of lines, areas, and volumes; composite body method; integration method; center of mass and center of gravity.
9. Moments of Inertia — Area moments of inertia; second moment of area; Parallel Axis Theorem; radius of gyration; polar moment of inertia; composite sections.
10. Friction — Coulomb (dry) friction; angle of friction; coefficient of static and kinetic friction; impending motion; friction problems on flat surfaces, wedges, and screws.

Optional Topics

The following topics may be covered depending on course section and program requirements:

• Internal Forces in Beams — Shear force and bending moment diagrams for simply supported and cantilever beams.
• Flexible Cables — Cables under concentrated loads and under distributed (parabolic) loads; catenary cables.
• Virtual Work Method — Principle of virtual work; potential energy and stability of equilibrium.
• Mass Moments of Inertia — Mass moment of inertia for three-dimensional bodies; Parallel Axis Theorem for mass.
• Hydrostatics — Fluid pressure on submerged surfaces; resultant hydrostatic force and its point of application.
• Scale Model Structural Analysis — Laboratory or project-based construction and load testing of bridge or truss models.

Resources & Tools

The following textbooks, references, and tools are commonly used in Florida college sections of ETG 2502:

• Textbook: Engineering Mechanics: Statics by R.C. Hibbeler (Pearson/Prentice Hall) — the most widely adopted text across Florida institutions.
• Textbook (alternative): Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics by Beer, Johnston & Mazurek (McGraw-Hill) — used at some Florida and national programs.
• Calculator: A scientific calculator is required. NCEES-approved models (e.g., TI-30X, TI-36X series; Casio fx-115 series; HP 33s or HP 35s) are recommended to align with FE Exam policy.
• NCEES FE Reference Handbook: Free digital download from NCEES; students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Statics section as FE Exam preparation.
• Software (optional): MATLAB, Microsoft Excel, or GeoGebra for numerical problem-solving and visualization of force systems.
• Open Educational Resource: Engineering Statics: Open & Free (OLI/Carnegie Mellon University) — a free, interactive online resource covering core statics topics with simulations and exercises.

Career Pathways

ETG 2502 is a foundational course for students pursuing careers in engineering and engineering technology. It serves as a prerequisite for ETG 2503 (Mechanics of Materials/Strength of Materials) and supports transfer pathways to four-year engineering and engineering technology degree programs.

Career fields for which this course provides essential preparation include:

• Civil Engineering Technology — Structural analysis, site development, transportation infrastructure.
• Mechanical Engineering Technology — Machine design, manufacturing systems, product development.
• Construction Engineering Technology — Building systems, construction management, structural inspection.
• Aerospace Engineering Technology — Aircraft and spacecraft structural analysis.
• Industrial Engineering Technology — Facilities layout, ergonomics, materials handling systems.

Special Information

FE Exam Preparation

ETG 2502 directly supports preparation for the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam, which is the first step toward licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in Florida. The Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE) administers licensure under Florida Statutes Chapter 471. Statics is a tested topic on the FE exam, particularly in the Other Disciplines discipline module, which is the target exam for students completing an A.S. Engineering Technology degree in Florida. Students are encouraged to use the free NCEES FE Reference Handbook throughout the course to build familiarity with exam-standard notation and formulas. After passing the FE exam and earning a qualifying degree, candidates may apply for Engineer Intern (EI) certification in Florida and subsequently pursue the Principles & Practice of Engineering (PE) exam.

Transfer Information

This course is part of the Florida A.A./A.S. degree transfer pathway. Students planning to transfer to a four-year engineering technology or engineering program should consult with their advisor, as ETG 2502 may satisfy statics requirements at Florida State University System (SUS) institutions for engineering technology bachelor's degrees.