This post collects some topics that are prerequisites for a masters in mechanical engineering, namely,

  • CIVE 260 - Statics*
  • CIVE 261 - Dynamics*
  • CIVE 360 - Mechanics of Solids
  • MECH 324 - Dynamics of Machines
  • MECH 325 - Machine Design
  • MECH 337 - Thermodynamics
  • MECH 342 - Fluid Mechanics for Mechanical Engineers
  • MECH 344 - Heat and Mass Transfer

Statics

Unlike Mechanics of Solids, Statics assumes all objects are rigid. This means we assume they do not deform or change shape regardless of how much force you apply.

Vector Algebra

Free Body Diagram

These diagrams isolate a structure from the elements around it, and replace those elements with forces.

(YT) Statics - Free Body Diagram

The main idea is that you break forces down into their components, according to your choice of coordinate system, and then solve for those forces so that the sum of the forces and the sum of the moments are equal to zero, at a chosen point.

$ \sum F = 0, \sum M = 0 $

(YT) The Recipe for Solving Statics Problems

  1. Draw a Working Diagram
  2. Draw a Free Body Diagram, with a positive sign convention
  3. Write equations for Static Equilibrium
  4. Solve for something

Method of Joints

(YT) Method of Joints

Method of Sections

(YT) Method of Sections

Centroids and Moments

Friction

Shear and Bending Moments