Penn State - Erie, The Behrend College

Statics, E MCH 211, Sections 001, 002, 003, 005

Fall 2014
Instructor Name, Title, phone number and email:
Mr. Michael Willis, Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, 898-6387, mgw100@psu.edu
Office hours: Burke 240, MW 3:30 4:30 PM, T 3:00 4:45PM (other times by appt.)
Course Meeting Day, Time, Location:

MWF 9:05 9:55AM

MWF 10:10 11:00AM
MWF 1:25 2:15PM
MWF 2:30 3:20PM
Exams T 6:00 8:30PM

201 Burke (Sect. 1)

201 Burke (Sect. 2)
101 Burke (Sect. 5)
103 Burke (Sect. 3)
180 Burke (all)

Course Description: This course will provide students with the tools and guidance to master
the use of equilibrium equations and Free Body Diagrams (FBD's) and to solve real engineering
problems. Students should leave this class with the ability to logically approach a variety of
static engineering problems, to translate a physical situation into an analytic model, and to use
various mathematical tools to determine desired information. Course topics include: introduction
and vectors, problem solving, force vectors, particle equilibrium, moments/couples, equivalent
systems, distributed loads/FBDs, rigid body equilibrium, trusses, frames and machines, 3-D
equilibrium, friction, centroids and center of gravity.
Prerequisite(s):

Math 141 (concurrent is permissible)

Textbook and or other required material:

Engineering Mechanics - Statics. R. C. Hibbeler, Pearson Prentice Hall Pub. Co., 13th
Edition, 2013.

TI-30 family calculator for exams (Required! Please dont try to argue that another
calculator is the same thing.)

Engineering or Quadrille paper for HW

Course Objectives: This course is designed with learning objectives such that upon
successful completion of the course you can:
1. Construct free body diagrams and identify external forces and moments acting on them.
2. Determine the components, sums, differences, vector products, and scalar products of
vectors in two and three dimensions and apply these operations to force, position and moment
vectors.
3. Determine the equivalent of a resultant force-couple system.
4. Determine whether a problem is statically determinate or indeterminate, and properly or
improperly constrained.

5. Apply the principles of equilibrium to determine forces or moments acting in or on important

engineering entities, such as trusses, frames and machines.
6. Apply the concepts of friction to simple problems, such as sliding/tipping.
7. Determine the centroid of areas, surfaces and volumes, including composite bodies.
Topics Covered (outline):
Vector operations
2D equilibrium of points and bodies
3D equilibrium of points and bodies
Distributed loads
Analysis of trusses
Analysis of frames and machines
Friction and Tipping
Centroids
Class/Laboratory Schedule:
Lectures: 3 hrs/week (3 sessions per week, 50 minutes each session)
ME BD Program Outcomes:
This course is designed so that the material, delivery, and activities strongly support the following MEBD
program outcomes:
(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
(e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
(h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global,
economic, environmental, and societal context

Professional Component: Engineering Topics

Grading Criteria:
Element
Pre-Requisite Quiz
Homework
6 Exams
Comprehensive Final

Contribution
HW
12%
60% total, 10%each
28%

Grading scale: Minor adjustments to these assigned values are at the discretion of the
instructor:
93-100 A
77-79 C+

90-92 A70-76 C

87-89 B+
65-69 D

83-86 B
< 65 F

80-82 B-

Exams: Each exam will be approximately 30-40 min in duration and will usually occur during
the Tuesday evening common exam time. Make every effort to successfully pass all of the
problems on the 1st try. The problems will be graded on a mastery basis with points awarded per
the following table. On the following Tuesday after an exam there will be a retake for those
students who did not successfully solve all problems on the 1st try. The problems on the retake
exam will be similar to those on the 1st exam but the time allotted will be less. The problems on
the retake exam will also be graded on a mastery basis with points awarded per the following
table. Students only need to attempt the problems for which they have not yet received a C or
AC score. The 3rd and last attempt will usually occur concurrently with the next exam with
scoring per the following table. Skipping an exam will result in scores of NA on all problems on
that exam. The negative scores that result from a NA score are carried forward with future
scores on that problem.
Example: Let's say that there are 3 problems on the Exam 1 and you get a C, R, and
AC on problems 1, 2, and 3. You would then need to solve only problem 2 on Exam 1R
and your max score for that problem would be 85% if the solution was correct. If
problem 2 was still not at least an AC then the score would be 0% and problem 2 would
need to be solved on the 3rd try.
The final exam will be a comprehensive exam covering the entire semester and will be
graded on a partial credit basis.

Attempt at Problem
Score

1ST

2ND

Final

Correct {C}

Correctly solved the problem with

no mistakes.

100%

85%

70%

Almost Correct {AC}

Satisfactorily solved problem with

a minor error.

90%

75%

60%

Retake {R}

Student did not show ability to

solve the problem correctly.

0%

0%

0%

Not Attempted {NA}

Either no attempt or essentially no

attempt at a solution.

-15%

-10%

-5%

Pre-Requisite Quiz: There will be a quiz very early in the course that will cover only
prerequisite material from geometry, trigonometry, algebra, and calculus. Each problem will be
graded on a mastery basis. The grade on each problem will be 100% for correct answers, 90%
for a small numerical mistake, and no points for significant mistakes. You will be allowed one
retake of this quiz with scoring as 80% for correct answers, 70% for a small numerical mistake,
and no points for a significant mistake. The score for this quiz can be used to offset your lowest
weekly homework score.
In-Class Problems: On a frequent basis there will be problem solving activities that will be
done in informal groups during a class period. A solution to all in-class problems will be posted
on ANGEL by the end of the day of a particular class.

Homework: HW assignments will be posted on ANGEL by the end of the day of each class
period and will be due on the following class period within the first 5 minutes of the scheduled
start of class. Solutions to HW problems will be posted on ANGEL by the end of the day that
they are due. Therefore, late submission of HW is not allowed. There will be two parts to the
HW evaluation. The grading of the HW will include credit for completeness and clarity of the
solution methods, and proper format, for all of the problems on a {--, -,, +} scale which will
constitute 40% of the HW grade for that week. In addition, at least one of the problems will be
graded in detail and this will count for 60% of the HW score for that week. See ANGEL for
details on the HW format requirements.
IMPORTANT: If you work in groups on your HW make sure that you have personally solved the
HW and not just transcribed the solution from another student. The solutions will be checked for
excessive similarity. Carry units through all calculations, points will be deducted if units are not
used consistently even if the numerical result is correct. Consistent use of units is important in
your professional careers and many questions on the FE exam are designed to test your ability
to correctly use units.
Calculator and Electronic Devices Policy:
During exams in this course the only allowable calculators are the TI-30 family.
All calculator cases/covers, cell phones, PDA's, pagers, handheld computers, and other
electronic calculation and communication devices must be turned off and stored away
from ready access to the student during exams and quizzes. If you are required to leave
a communication device powered on due to emergency notification requirements you
must make advance arrangements with the instructor as to how to handle the situation.
Failure to comply with any of the policies stated above will be treated as a violation of
academic integrity.
Attendance Policy: Punctual attendance is required. Credit will be given for HW only if the
student is present in class. All excused absences must be supported by written documentation,
such as a doctors receipt, athletics travel notice, ROTC notice, etc. Students are responsible
for material covered in class, even if they are absent. Excessive unexcused absences may
result in a lower grade, or even course failure, if the instructor feels such absences are
detrimental to the student's progress in the course.
Makeup Policy: Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Late
assignments will not be accepted. A zero for a homework assignment or an in-class
assignment can be avoided if the absence is excused with proper documentation. Contact the
instructor prior to the start of an exam if you have to miss it due to an emergency.
Academic Integrity: Penn State Erie puts a very high value on academic integrity, and
violations are not tolerated. Academic integrity is one of Penn States four principles which all
students must abide by. Any violation of academic integrity will receive academic and possible
disciplinary sanctions, including the possible awarding of an XF grade which is recorded on the
transcript and states that failure of the course was due to an act of academic dishonesty. All
acts of academic dishonesty are recorded so repeat offenders can be sanctioned accordingly.
Students are encouraged to review more information on academic integrity which can be found
at: http://advising.psu.edu/integrit.htm. Submission of a homework assignment that is
substantially derived from an instructors solution manual is a violation of academic integrity
rules.

Support Services:
Learning Resource Center: http://psbehrend.psu.edu/Academics/academic-services/lrc
Library: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/erie.html/index.htm
Computer Center: http://psbehrend.psu.edu/intranet/computer-center
General Policies, Rules & Procedures: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/conduct/
Note to students with disabilities: Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the
University's educational programs. If you have a disability-related need for modifications or
reasonable accommodations in this course, contact the Disability Specialist in the Office of
Student Affairs, 2nd Floor Reed Union Building, 898-7101.

Prepared by M.G. Willis 8/19/13

Proposed Course Schedule: Subject to change by instructor as needed. All exams on Tuesday Night.
Any changes will be announced in class.

Week

ch1

25-Aug
27-Aug
29-Aug

5-Sep

ch3

ch4

ch5

ch8

ch9

2.5-2.6

No Class Labor Day, Pre-Req. Quiz

2.7-2.9

Review/Regroup (R&R)

8-Sep

3.1-3.2 PRQ retake,

10-Sep

3.3

12-Sep

3.4

15-Sep

R&R, Exam 1 (Chap. 1-3)

17-Sep

4.1

19-Sep

4.2-4.4

22-Sep

4.5, Exam 1R

24-Sep

4.6
No Class Today

29-Sep

R&R, Exam 2 (4.1 - 4.6), Exam 1F

1-Oct

4.7-4.8

3-Oct

4.9

6-Oct

5.1-5.2, Exam 2R

8-Oct

5.3

10-Oct

5.4

13-Oct

R&R, Exam 3 (4.7-4.9, 5.1-5.4), Exam 2F

15-Oct

5.5

17-Oct

ch7

2.1-2.4

26-Sep

ch6

Introduction

1-Sep
3-Sep

ch2

No Class Today

20-Oct

5.6, Exam 3R

22-Oct

5.7

24-Oct

6.1-6.2

10

11

12

27-Oct

R&R, Exam 4 (5.5-5.7, 6.1-6.2), Exam 3F

29-Oct

6.3

31-Oct

6.4

3-Nov

6.4, Exam 4R

5-Nov

6.6

7-Nov

No Class Today

10-Nov

R&R, Exam 5 (6.3, 6.4, 6.6), Exam 4F

12-Nov

R&R

14-Nov

13

17-Nov

8.1-8.2, Exam 5R

19-Nov

Tipping Problems

21-Nov

14

15

7.1, Late Drop Deadline

No Class Today

24-Nov

No Class

Thanksgiving

26-Nov

No Class

Thanksgiving

28-Nov

No Class

Thanksgiving

1-Dec

R&R, Exam 6 (Chap. 7, 8), Exam 5F

3-Dec

R&R

5-Dec

9.1

8-Dec

9.2, Exam 6R

10-Dec

R&R

12-Dec

R&R

Note: Exam 6F (mastery grading) will be given during the comprehensive, partial credit,
Final Exam, if necessary