Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics (in SI Units)

About this book

Target Audience This text is designed for the first course in Statics offered in the sophomore year. Overview The main objective of a first course in mechanics should be to develop in the engineering student the ability to analyze any problem in a simple and logical manner and to apply to its solution a few well-understood basic principles. This text is designed to help the instructor achieve this goal. Vector analysis is introduced early in the text and is used in the presentation and discussion of the fundamental principles of mechanics. Vector methods are also used to solve many problems particularly three-dimensional problems where these techniques result in a simpler and more concise solution. The emphasis in this text however remains on the correct understanding of the principles of mechanics and on their application to the solution of engineering problems and vector analysis is presented chiefly as a convenient tool.