Antonlogias

PREFACE

Welcome to statics! We assume you are embarking on the study of statics because
you are interested in engineering and science. The major objectives of this book are
to help you
1. learn the fundamental principles of statics; and
2. gain the skills needed to apply these principles in the modeling of real-life
problems and for carrying out engineering design.
The need for thoroughcoverage of the fundamental principles is paramount, and, as
such, a substantial portion of this book is devoted to these principles. Because the
development of problem-solving skills is equally important, we focus a great deal of
attention to these skills, especially in the context of real-life problems. Indeed, the
emphasis on problem-solving skills is a major difference in the treatment ofstatics
between engineering and physics. It is only through the mastering of these skills that
a true, deep understanding of fundamentals can be achieved. You must be flawless in
your ability to apply the concepts of statics to real-life problems. When mistakes are
made, structures and machines will fail, money and time will be lost, and worst of
all, people may be hurt or killed.

Whatshould you take away from this book?
First and foremost, you should gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental
principles, and, at a minimum, key points should remain in your memory for the
rest of your life. We say this with a full appreciation that some of you will have careers with new and unexpected directions. Regardless of your eventual professional
responsibilities, knowledge of thefundamentals of statics will help you to be technically literate. By contrast, if you are actively engaged in the practice of engineering
and/or the sciences, then your needs go well beyond mere technical literacy. In addition to understanding the fundamentals, you must also be accomplished at applying
these fundamentals. This ability is needed so that you can study more advanced subjects thatbuild on statics, and because you will apply concepts of statics on a daily
basis in your career.

Why Another Statics and Dynamics Series?
These books provide thorough coverage of all the pertinent topics traditionally associated with statics and dynamics. Indeed, many of the currently available texts also
provide this. However, the new books by Plesha/Gray/Costanzo offer several majorinnovations that enhance the learning objectives and outcomes in these subjects.
What Then Are the Major Differences between Plesha/Gray/Costanzo and
Other Engineering Mechanics Texts?

One of the main
objectives of this text is to foster the habit of solving problems using a systematic approach. Therefore, the example problems in Plesha/Gray/Costanzo follow a
structured five-step problem-solvingmethodology that will help you develop your
problem-solving skills not only in statics and dynamics, but also in almost all other
mechanics subjects that follow. This structured problem-solving approach consists

A Consistent and Systematic Approach to Problem Solving

xiv

of the following steps: Road Map, Modeling, Governing Equations, Computation,
and Discussion & Verification. The RoadMap provides some of the general objectives of the problem and develops a strategy for how the solution will be developed.
Modeling is next, where a real-life problem is idealized by a model. This step results
in the creation of a free body diagram and the selection of the balance laws needed
to solve the problem. The Governing Equations step is devoted to writing all the
equations needed tosolve the problem. These equations typically include the Equilibrium Equations, and, depending upon the particular problem, Force Laws (e.g.
spring law, failure criteria, frictional sliding criteria) and Kinematic Equations. In
the Computation step, the governing equations are solved. In the final step, Discussion & Verification, the solution is interrogated to ensure that it is meaningful and...