Mechanics 1

Code:

EC0009

Acronym:

MECA1

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Structures

Instance: 2015/2016 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Structural Division
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Civil Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIEC	224	Syllabus since 2006/2007	1	-	7	75	187

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

 

JUSTIFICATION:

- Mechanics I is the first course focused to structural engineering, introducing the fundamental concepts that allow expressing the equilibrium of civil engineering structures, which are the basis for the design.

OBJECTIVES:
- This course aims teaching and developing students’ skills on problems of mechanics of particles and rigid bodies in static conditions, by introducing theoretical concepts and practical methodologies to solve engineering problems, with a special emphasis on Civil Engineering.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this subject, students are expected to be able to mathematically express the equilibrium of rigid bodies and evaluate the reactions at the supports of determined systems. They should also be able to represent the internal distribution of forces in simple structural systems.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course aims also to develop students’ technical skills regarding structural matters, which are relevant to train a civil engineer, according to lines 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 of CDIO (Conceiving, Designing, Implementing and Operating real-world systems and products) standards. This course also aims to develop students’ personal and professional skills according to lines 2.1 and 2.2 of CDIO standards, and also to develop their independent thinking and develop skills in order to to apply knowledge in new problems and explore new concepts.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Chapter 0 - MECHANICS – AN ENGINEERING SCIENCE
Fundamental concepts; Newton laws; Units of measurement.
Chapter 1 - FORCE VECTORS AND EQUIVALENT FORCE SYSTEMS
Scalars and vectors; Vector operations; Equilibrium of a particle; Moment of a force; Moment of a force system; Defining elements of a force system; Projection property of a force system; Scalar invariant and vector invariant; Classification of force systems; Equivalent force systems; Varignon theorem; Center of parallel forces; Elementary static transformations; Reduction of a simple distributed loading.
Chapter 2 - EQUILIBRIUM OF A RIGID BODY
Equations of equilibrium; Constraints and supports of a rigid body - Degrees of freedom; Classification of rigid bodies considering constraints; Equilibrium of rigid bodies - stable equilibrium and unstable equilibrium; Evaluations of support reactions; Equilibrium in two dimensions; Equilibrium in three dimensions.
Chapter 3 - PLANE STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Single supported beams and cantiliver beams, loading type and supports; Three hinges archs and association of structural systems.
Chapter 4 - TRUSSES
Internal rigidity and isostaticity; Global isostaticity; bar internal forces; The method of joints; The method of sections.
Chapter 5 - INTERNAL FORCES AND DIAGRAMS
Internal forces in linear elements; Axial force; Shear force; Bending moment; Internal forces diagrams; Relations between load, shear force and bending moment.
Chapter 6 - PLANE CABLES AND CHAINS
Cables subjected to concentrated loads; Cables subjected to a distributed load - parabolic cables and catenaries.
Chapter 7 - METHOD OF VIRTUAL WORK
Definiton of virtual work and virtual displacement; Principle of virtual work; Equilibrium of rigid bodies by the method of virtual work.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE SYLLABUS COHERENCE WITH THE CURRICULAR UNIT'S OBJECTIVES:
The Mechanics 1 Course is the first milestone in the specific training of a civil engineer, corresponding to the introduction of fundamental concepts that allow the evaluation of the equilibrium in civil engineering structures, which is the basis of their design.

Mandatory literature

Beer, Ferdinand P; Mecânica vectorial para engenheiros. ISBN: 972-8298-84-6
Meriam, James Lathrop; Mecânica. ISBN: 85-216-1402-0
Elsa Caetano; Mecânica 1, conjunto de transparentes de apoio às aulas teóricas, 2001-09

Complementary Bibliography

Hibbeler, R. C.; Engineering Mechanics. ISBN: 0-13-066197-X
Bedford, Anthony; Statics. ISBN: 0-201-40340-4

Teaching methods and learning activities

All subjects of the course are discussed in theoretical and tutorial classes. Theoretical classes will be based on the presentation and explanation of concepts, principles and methods, complemented with the resolution of some illustrative problems of the exercises sheets. In tutorial classes, the discussion of problems proposed at the exercise sheets is promoted and the students are stimulated to solve those problems individually or in group.

DEMONSTRATION OF THE COHERENCE BETWEEN THE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES AND THE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The presentation and explanation of concepts, principles and methods of structural design in statically determined structures and the approach to practical examples related to Civil Engineering, stimulating the students to solve the proposed problems individually or in groups, allow the achievement of calculation skills that are later used in the structural design.

Software

Ftool

keywords

Physical sciences > Physics > Statics
Technological sciences

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Teste	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	30,00
Frequência das aulas	60,00
Total:	90,00

Eligibility for exams

Achieving final classification requires compliance with attendance at the course unit, according to the MIEC assessment rules. It is considered that students meet the attendance requirements if, having been regularly enrolled, the number of absences of 25% for each of the classes’ types is not exceeded.

Calculation formula of final grade

 

The final grade is defined on the basis of a combined distributed evaluation and a final exam. The distributed evaluation consists of two tests conducted during classes in predefined dates.  The distributed evaluation is optional. All evaluation components are expressed in the range 0-20.

The final classification FC is obtained from the following formula:

FC = max {WC ; FE}

Where

WC = WD / 2 x CD1 + WD / 2 x CD2 + FC x FE

CD1 – classification of the first evaluation test (to be conducted during a theoretical class);

CD2 – classification of the second evaluation test (to be conducted during a theoretical class);
FE – classification of the final exam associated with the normal and special exams

 

The following weights are associated with the classifications CD1, CD2 and FE:

WD = (25%)
FC = (75%)

NOTE 1: The tests associated with the classifications CD1 and CD2 are optional. In case the student only submits to one of these tests, the corresponding weight is added to FC.

NOTE 2: All registered students are classified according to this method.

NOTE 3: The classification obtained in the distributed component of previous academic years is not valid for the current academic year.

 

Examinations or Special Assignments

The students are not obliged to do tests 1 and 2 (CAD1 and CAD2) that are part of the distributed evaluation of the curricular unit. This component will only be considered in the Final Classification if it is obtained during the current academic year.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

See NOTE 2 of item "Cálculo da Classificação Final".

Classification improvement

It is not foreseen any test to improve the classification of the distributed evaluation.

Observations