1

Introduction to Engineering Mechanics

The state of rest and state of motion of the bodies under the action of different forces has engaged
the attention of philosophers, mathematicians and scientists for many centuries. The branch of physical
science that deals with the state of rest or the state of motion is termed as Mechanics. Starting from the
analysis of rigid bodies under gravitational force and simple applied forces the mechanics has grown to the
analysis of robotics, aircrafts, spacecrafts under dynamic forces, atmospheric forces, temperature forces etc.

Archimedes (287–212 BC), Galileo (1564–1642), Sir Issac Newton (1642–1727) and Einstein
(1878–1955) have contributed a lot to the development of mechanics. Contributions by Varignon, Euler, D.
Alembert are also substantial. The mechanics developed by these researchers may be grouped as

(i) Classical mechanics/Newtonian mechanics (ii)

Relativistic mechanics
(iii) Quantum mechanics/Wave mechanics.
Sir Issac Newton, the principal architect of mechanics, consolidated the philosophy and
experimental findings developed around the state of rest and state of motion of the bodies and put forth
them in the form of three laws of motion as well as the law of gravitation. The mechanics based on these
laws is called Classical mechanics or Newtonian mechanics.
Albert Einstein proved that Newtonian mechanics fails to explain the behaviour of high speed
(speed of light) bodies. He put forth the theory of Relativistic Mechanics.
Schrödinger (1887–1961) and Broglie (1892–1965) showed that Newtonian mechanics fails to
explain the behaviour of particles when atomic distances are concerned. They put forth the theory of
Quantum Mechanics.
Engineers are keen to use the laws of mechanics to actual field problems. Application of laws of
mechanics to field problem is termed as Engineering Mechanics. For all the prob-lems between atomic
distances to high speed distances Classical/Newtonian mechanics has stood the test of time and hence that
is the mechanics used by engineers. Hence in this text classical mechanics is used for the analysis of
engineering problems.

1.1. CLASSIFICATION OF ENGINEERING MECHANICS

Depending upon the body to which the mechanics is applied, the engineering mechanics is
classified as
(a) Mechanics of Solids, and
(b) Mechanics of Fluids.
The solid mechanics is further classified as mechanics of rigid bodies and mechanics of deformable
bodies. The body which will not deform or the body in which deformation can be neglected in the analysis,
are called as Rigid bodies. The mechanics of the rigid bodies dealing with the bodies at rest is termed as
Statics and that dealing with bodies in motion is called
1
2 ENGINEERING MECHANICS

Dynamics. The dynamics dealing with the problems without referring to the forces causing the motion of
the body is termed as Kinematics and if it deals with the forces causing motion also, is called Kinetics.

If the internal stresses developed in a body are to be studied, the deformation of the body should be
considered. This field of mechanics is called Mechanics of Deformable Bod-ies/Strength of
Materials/Solid Mechanics. This field may be further divided into Theory of Elasticity and Theory of
Plasticity.
Liquid and gases deform continuously with application of very small shear forces. Such materials
are called Fluids. The mechanics dealing with behaviour of such materials is called Fluid Mechanics.
Mechanics of ideal fluids, mechanics of viscous fluid and mechanics of incompressible fluids are further
classification in this area. The classification of mechanics is summarised below in flow chart.

Engineering mechanics

Mechanics of solids Mechanics of fluids

Mechanics of Mechanics of
rigid bodies deformable bodies 1. Ideal fluid
2. Viscous fluid
3. Incompressible
fluid
Statics Dynamics Theory of Theory of
elasticity plasticity

Kinematics Kinetics

1.2. BASIC TERMINOLOGIES IN MECHANICS

The following are the terms basic to study mechanics, which should be understood clearly:
Mass
The quantity of the matter possessed by a body is called mass. The mass of a body will not change
unless the body is damaged and part of it is physically separated. When a body is taken out in a spacecraft,
the mass will not change but its weight may change due to change in gravitational force. Even the body
may become weightless when gravitational force vanishes but the mass remain the same.

Time
Time is the measure of succession of events. The successive event selected is the rota-tion of earth
about its own axis and this is called a day. To have convenient units for various activities, a day is divided
into 24 hours, an hour into 60 minutes and a minute into 60 seconds. Clocks are the instruments developed
to measure time. To overcome difficulties due to irregu-larities in the earth’s rotation, the unit of time is
taken as second which is defined as the duration of 9192631770 period of radiation of the cesium-133
atom.
INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING MECHANICS 3

Space
The geometric region in which study of body is involved is called space. A point in the space may
be referred with respect to a predetermined point by a set of linear and angular measurements. The
reference point is called the origin and set of measurements as ‘coordi-nates’. If coordinates involve only in
mutually perpendicular directions they are known as Cartesian coordinates. If the coordinates involve
angle and distances, it is termed as polar coordinate system.

Length
It is a concept to measure linear distances. The diameter of a cylinder may be 300 mm, the height of
a building may be 15 m. Actually metre is the unit of length. However depending upon the sizes involved
micro, milli or kilo metre units are used for measurement. A metre is defined as length of the standard bar
of platinum-iridium kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. To overcome difficulties of
accessibility and reproduction, now meter is defined as 1690763.73 wavelength of krypton-86 atom.
F
i
Displacement g
Displacement is defined as the distance x .
moved by a body/particle in the specified direc-tion. 1
.
Referring to Fig. 1.1, if a body moves from position 1
A to position B in the x-y plane shown, its
displacement in x-direction is AB′ and its displace-
A
ment in y-direction is B′B.

Velocity
The rate of change of displacement with
respect to time is defined as velocity.
Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate of distribution of position in a
change of velocity matter. In other body.
with respect to time. Thus words, the body
is treated as
a = dv continuum.
dt
Momentum Rigid Body
The product of mass and velocity is A body
called momentum. Thus
Momentum = Massis said to be
× Velocity
rigid, if the
Continuum
relative
A body consists of severalpositions of any
matters. It is a well known fact thattwo particles in
each particle can be subdivided intoit do not change
molecules, atoms and electrons. Itunder the action
is not possible to solve any
of the forces. In
engineering problem by treating a
Fig. 1.2 (a)
body as a conglomeration of such
points A and B
discrete particles. The body is
are the original
assumed to consist of a continuous
 4 ENGINEERING MECHANICS

After application of a system of forces F1, F2, F3, the body takes the position as shown in Fig. 1.2 (b). A′
and B′ are the new positions of A and B. If the body is treated as rigid, the relative position of A′B′ and AB
are the same i.e.,
A′B′ = AB.

F1

F2
B
A A

F3

(a) (b)

Fig. 1.2
Many engineering problems can be solved satisfactorily by assuming bodies rigid.
Particle
A particle may be defined as an object which has only mass and no size. Such a body cannot exist
theoretically. However in dealing with problems involving distances considerably larger compared to the
size of the body, the body may be treated as particle, without sacrificing accuracy. Examples of such
situations are
— A bomber aeroplane is a particle for a gunner operating from the ground.
— A ship in mid sea is a particle in the study of its relative motion from a control tower.
— In the study of movement of the earth in celestial sphere, earth is treated as a particle.

1.3. LAWS OF MECHANICS

The following are the fundamental laws of mechanics:
Newton’s first law
Newton’s second law
Newton’s third law
Newton’s law of gravitation
Law of transmissibility of forces, and
Parallelogram law of forces.
Newton’s First Law
It states that every body continues in its state of rest or of uniform motion in a straight line unless it
is compelled by an external agency acting on it. This leads to the definition of force as the external agency
which changes or tends to change the state of rest or uniform linear motion of the body.

Newton’s Second Law

It states that the rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the impressed
force and it takes place in the direction of the force acting on it. Thus according to this law,
 INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING MECHANICS 5

Force ∝ rate of change of momentum. But momentum = mass × velocity

As mass do not change,
Force ∝ mass × rate of change of velocity
i.e., Force ∝ mass × acceleration
F∝m×a ...(1.3)
Newton’s Third Law
It states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Consider the two bodies in
contact with each other. Let one body applies a force F on another. According to this law the second body
develops a reactive force R which is equal in magnitude to force F and acts in the line same as F but in the
opposite direction. Figure. 1.3 shows the action of the ball and the reaction from the floor. In Fig. 1.4 the
action of the ladder on the wall and the floor and the reactions from the wall and floor are shown.

R-reaction
F-action R=F

(a) (b)

Fig.
1.3 R2

F F
2 1

RR1 = F1

R1 Fig.
1.4

Newton’s Law of Gravitation

Everybody attracts the other

body. The force of attraction between
any two bodies is directly
proportional to their masses and
inversely proportional to the square
of the distance between them.
According to this law the force of
attraction between the bodies of
mass m1 and mass m2 at a distance d
as shown in Fig. 1.5 is

F=

where G is the constant of

proportionality and is known as
constant of gravitation.
6 ENGINEERING MECHANICS

1 F F 2

m2
m1

Fig. 1.5

Law of Transmissibility of Force

According to this law the state of rest or motion of the rigid body is unaltered if a force acting on
the body is replaced by another force of the same magnitude and direction but acting anywhere on the body
along the line of action of the replaced force.
Let F be the force acting on a rigid body at point A as shown in Fig. 1.6. According to the law of
transmissibility of force, this force has the

same effect on the state of body as the force F ap-plied at

point B.
In using law of transmissibility of forces it ied. F
should be carefully noted that it is applicable only if A
the body can be treated as rigid. In this text, the
engineering mechanics is restricted to study of state B F

of rigid bodies and hence this law is frequently used.

Same thing cannot be done in the subject ‘solid
mechanics’ where the bodies are treated as
deformable and internal forces in the body are stud- Fig.
1.6
Fig. 1.7
action ofsubtracted from the system, the
The law of transmissibility Consider given forceresulting system is as shown in Fig.
of forces can be proved using the the rigid body F, [Ref. Fig.1.7 (c). Looking at the system of
law of superposition, which can beshown in Fig. 1.7 1.7 (b)] theforces in Figs. 1.7 (a) and 1.7 (c),
stated as the action of a given (a). It is effect ofwe can conclude the law of
system of forces on a rigid body is subjected to a given forcetransmissibility of forces is proved.
not changed by adding or force F at A. B is on the body
subtracting another system of another point on is not
forces in equilibrium. the line of action altered.
of the force. Force F at
From the law of A and
superposition it opposite
F is obvious that if force F at B
A
two equal and form a
opposite forces system of
of magnitude F forces in
are applied at B equilibrium.
(a) If these two
along the line of
forces are
INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING MECHANICS 7

Parallelogram Law of Forces

The parallelogram law of forces enables us to determine the single force called resultant which can
replace the two forces acting at a point with the same effect as that of the two forces. This law was
formulated based on experimental results. Though Stevinces employed it in 1586, the credit of presenting it
as a law goes to Varignon and Newton (1687). This law states that if two forces acting simultaneously on a
body at a point are presented in magnitude and direction by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram,
their resultant is represented in magni-tude and direction by the diagonal of the parallelogram which
passes through the point of intersection of the two sides representing the forces.

In Fig. 1.8 the force F1 = 4 units and force F2 = 3 units are acting on a body at point A. Then to get
resultant of these forces parallelogram ABCD is constructed such that AB is equal to 4 units to linear scale
and AC is equal to 3 units. Then according to this law, the diagonal AD represents the resultant in the
direction and magnitude. Thus the resultant of the forces F1 and F2 on the body is equal to units
corresponding to AD in the direction α to F1.
F2 = 3 units C D
R

3
A
F1 = 4 units

A B
4
(b)
(a)
correspond toAD
R

Units

Law of Forces Is at a time can be combined by triangle

may be statedf law of forces and finally resultant of all
as If two forces more the forces acting on the body may be
acting on a than obtained.
(c)
body
Fig. are
two
represented
1.8 A system of 4 concurrent forces
one after conc
urren acting on a body are shown in Fig. 1.9. AB
another by the
1.4. DERIVED LAWS sides of a t represents F1 and BC represents F2. Hence
force according to triangle law of forces AC
Referring to Fig. 1.8 (b), we cantriangle, their
get the resultant AD by constructing resultant is s are represents the resultant of F1 and F2, say,
triangle ABD. Line AB is drawn torepresented by actin R .
the closing g on 1
represent F1 and BD to represent F2. Thenside of the
a
AD should represent the resultant of F1triangle taken body,
from first point
and F2. Then we have derived triangle law
to the last two
of forces from fundamental lawpoint. force
parallelogram law of forces. The Triangle
 8 ENGINEERING MECHANICS

F4

F3 = 28 kN D
F4 = 40 kN R

R2 F3
F2 = 50 kN

R1 C
F1 = 35 kN F 2

F
O A 1 B
(a) (b)

Fig. 1.9

If CD is drawn to represent F3, then from triangle law of forces AD represents, the resultant of R1
and F3. In other words AD represents the resultant of F1, F2 and F3. Let it be called as R2.

On the same line logic can be extended to say that AE represents the resultant of F1, F2, F3 and F4 if
DE represents F4. Thus resultant R is represented by the closing line of the polygon ABCDE in the direction
AE. Thus we have derived polygon of law of forces and it may be stated as ‘If a number of concurrent
forces acting simultaneously on a body are represented in magnitude and direction by the sides of a
polygon, taken in a order, then the resultant is represented in magnitude and direction by the closing side of
the polygon, taken from first point to last point.

1.5. UNITS
Length (L), Mass (M) and Time (S) are the fundamental units in mechanics. The units of all other
quantities may be expressed in terms of these basic units. The three commonly used systems in engineering
are
— Metre-Kilogramme—Second (MKS) system
— Centimetre—Gramme—Second (CGS) system, and
— Foot—Pound—Second (FPS) system.
The units of length, mass and time used in the system are used to name the systems. Using these
basic units, the units for other quantities can be found. For example, in MKS the units for the various
quantities are as shown below:

Quantity Unit Notation

2
Area Square metre m
3
Volume Cubic metre m
Velocity Metre per second m/sec
2
Acceleration Metre per second per second m/sec

Unit of Forces
Presently the whole world is in the process of switching over to SI system of units. SI stands for
System Internationale d’ units or International System of units. As in MKS system, in SI system also the
fundamental units are metre for length, kilogramme for mass and second
INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING MECHANICS 9

for time. The difference between MKS and SI system arise mainly in selecting the unit of force.
From eqn. (1.3), we have
Force ∝ Mass × Acceleration = k × Mass × Acceleration ...(1.5)
In SI system unit of force is defined as that force which causes 1 kg mass to move with an
2
acceleration of 1m/sec and is termed as 1 Newton. Hence the constant of proportionality k becomes units.
Unit of force can be derived from eqn. (1.5) as
2 2
Unit of Force = kg × m/sec = kg – m/sec
In MKS, the unit of force is defined as that force which makes a mass of 1 kg to move with
2
gravitational acceleration ‘g’ m/sec . This unit of force is called kilogramme weight or kg/wt. Gravitational
2
acceleration is 9.81 m/sec near the earth surface. In all the problems encountered in engineering mechanics
2
the variation in gravitational acceleration is negligible and may be taken as 9.81 m/sec . Hence the constant
of proportionality in eqn. (1.5) is 9.81, which means
1 kg-wt = 9.81 newton ...(1.6)
It may be noted that in public usage, kg-wt force is called as kg only.
Unit of Constant of Gravitation
From eqn. (1.4),
2
mm Fd
1 2
F=G d
2 or G= mm
1 2
N  m2
∴ Unit of G = = Nm2/kg2
1× kgkg

–11 2 2
It has been proved by experimental results that the value of G = 6.673 × 10 Nm /kg . Thus if two
bodies one of mass 10 kg and the other of 5 kg are at a distance of 1 m, they exert a force

6.673  10−11  10  5 2
F= = 33.365 × 10–10 N 1

on each other.
Now let us find the force acting between 1 kg-mass near earth surface and the earth. Earth has a
3 24
radius of 6371 × 10 m and has a mass 5.96506 × 10 kg. Hence the force between the two bodies is

−11 24
6.673  10  1  5.96504  10
= = 9.80665 N.
3 2
(6371  10 )
In common usage we call the force exerted by earth on a body as weight of the body. Thus weight of
1 kg mass on earth surface is 9.80665 N, which is approximated as 9.81 N for all practical problems.
Compared to this force the force exerted by two bodies near earth sur-face is negligible as may be seen
from the example of 10 kg and 5 kg mass bodies.
Denoting the weight of the body by W, from eqn. (1.4), we get
GmMe
W=

2
r
where m is the mass of body
Me is the mass of the earth, and r is
the radius of the earth
 10 ENGINEERING MECHANICS

GMe
Denoting 2
by g, we get
r
W = mg = 9.81 m ...(1.7)
Unit of g can be obtained as follows:
GMe
g=
2
r
2
Nm  kg  N
Unit of g = 2 2
(kg) m kg
2
as unit of Newton force is kg-m/sec , we get
kgm/sec2
Unit of g = = m/sec2 kg

Hence g may be called as acceleration due to gravity. Any body falling freely near earth surface
2
experiences this acceleration. The value of g is 9.81 m/sec near the earth surface as can be seen from eqn.
(1.7).
The prefixes used in SI system when quantities are too big or too small are shown in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1: Prefixes and Symbols of Multiplying Factors in SI

Multiplying Factor Prefix Symbol

12
10 tera T
9
10 giga G
6
10 mega M
3
10 kilo k
0
10 — —
–3
10 milli m
–6
10 micro 
–9
10 nano n
10–12 pico p
10–15 femto f
10–18 atto a

1.6. CHARACTERISTICS OF A FORCE

From Newton’s first law, we defined the force as the agency which tries to change state of stress or
state of uniform motion of the body. From Newton’s second law of motion we arrived at practical definition
of unit force as the force required to produce unit acceleration in a body of unit mass. Thus 1 newton is the
2
force required to produce an acceleration of 1 m/sec in a body of 1 kg mass. It may be noted that a force is
completely specified only when the following four characteristics are specified:

— Magnitude
— Point of application
— Line of action, and
— Direction
INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING MECHANICS 11

In Fig. 1.10 AB is a ladder kept against a wall.

At point C, a person weighing 600 N is standing. The 1.7. SYSTEM OF FORCES 600 N B
force applied by the person on the ladder has the
following characters:
— magnitude is 600 N
C
— the point of application is at C which is 2
m from A along the ladder.
— the line of action is vertical, and 2m

— the direction is downward.

Note that the magnitude of the force is written
near the arrow. The line of the arrow shows the line
of application and the arrow head represents the point A
of application and the direction of the force. Fig.
1.10
When several forces act
simultaneously on a body, they
constitute a system of forces. If all
the forces in a system do not lie in a
single plane they constitute the
system of forces in space. If all the
forces in a system lie in a single
plane, it is called a coplanar force
system. If the line of action of all
the forces in a system pass through
a single point, it is called a
concurrent force system. In a
system of parallel forces all the
forces are parallel to each other. If
the line of action of all the forces
lie along a single line then it is
called a collinear force system.
Various system of forces, their
characteristics and examples are
given in Table 1.2 and shown in
Fig. 1.11.
T
a
bl
e
1.
2:
S
ys
te
m
of
F
or
ce
s
 Force System Characteristics Examples
Collinear forces Line of action of all the forces act Forces on a rope in a tug of war.
along the same line.
Coplanar parallel forces All forces are parallel to each other System of forces acting on a beam
and lie in a single plane. subjected to vertical loads (includ-
ing reactions).
Coplanar like parallel All forces are parallel to each other, Weight of a stationary train on a
forces lie in a single plane and are acting rail when the track is straight.
in the same direction.
Coplanar concurrent forces Line of action of all forces pass Forces on a rod resting against a
through a single point and forces wall.
lie in the same plane.
Coplanar non-concurrent All forces do not meet at a point, Forces on a ladder resting against
forces but lie in a single plane. a wall when a person stands on a
rung which is not at its centre of
gravity.
Non-coplanar parallel All the forces are parallel to each The weight of benches in a class-
forces other, but not in same plane. room.
Non-coplanar concurrent All forces do not lie in the same A tripod carrying a camera.
forces plane, but their lines of action pass
through a single point.
Non-coplanar All forces do not lie in the same Forces acting on a moving bus.
non-concurrent forces plane and their lines of action do
not pass through a single point.
12 ENGINEERING MECHANICS

Collinear Coplanar parallel Coplanar like parallel

Coplanar concurrent Coplanar non-concurrent

y y
y x

x x

z z
Non-coplanar parallel Non-coplanar concurrent Non-coplanar non-concurrent

Fig. 1.11

1.8. VECTORS
Various quantities used in engineering mechanics may be grouped into scalars and vectors. A
quantity is said to be scalar if it is completely defined by its magnitude alone. Examples of scalars are
length, area, time and mass.
A quantity is said to be vector if it is completely defined only when its magnitude as well as
direction are specified. Hence force is a vector. The other examples of vector are velocity, acceleration,
momentum etc.

1.9. DIMENSIONAL HOMOGENEITY

The qualitative description of physical variable is known as dimension while the quantitative
description is known as unit. We come across several relations among the physical quantities. Some of the
terms may be having dimensions and some others may be dimensionless. However in any equation
dimensions of the terms on both sides must be the same. This is called dimensional homogenity. The
branch of mathematics dealing with dimensions of quantities is called dimensional analysis.

There are two systems of dimensional analysis viz. absolute system and gravitational system. In
absolute system the basic quantities selected are Mass, Length and Time. Hence it is known as MLT-
system. In gravitational system the basic quantities are Force, Length and Time. Hence it is termed as FLT-
system.
INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING MECHANICS 13

L
2 –2 2
The dimension of acceleration is T = LT since its unit is m/sec . From Newton’s law
we have physical relation
Force = Mass × Acceleration
Hence the dimensional relation is,
ML
F= 2
...(1.8a)
T
2
or M = FT ...(1.8b)
L
Eqn. (1.8) helps in converting dimensions from one system to another. The dimensions of some of
the physical quantities are listed in Table 1.3.
Table 1.3: Dimensions of Quantities

Sr. No. Quantity MLT-system FLT-system

–1 –1
1. Velocity LT LT
2. Acceleration LT–2 LT–2
–1
3. Momentum MLT FT
2 2
4. Area L L
3 3
5. Volume L L
–2
6. Force MLT F
7. Gravitational Constant M–1L3T–2 F–1L4T–4
Checking Dimensional Homogenity
As stated earlier all the terms in an equation to the left and right side should have the same
dimensions. In other words if,
X=Y+Z
the terms, X, Y and Z should have same dimension. If,
X = bY
and if X and Y do not have same dimension, b is not dimensionless constant. The value of this constant will
be different in different system of units.
2 2
Example 1.1. Verify whether the following equation has dimensional homogenity: v – u =
2as
where v is final velocity, u is initial velocity, a is acceleration and s is the distance moved.
–1
Solution. Dimensions of velocity = LT
–2
Dimensions of acceleration = LT
and dimension of distance =L
Substituting these dimensions in the given equation, we get
–1 –1 –2
LT – LT = 2LT L
–1 –1 –1
LT ≡ LT ≡ LT
Hence it is dimensionally homogeneous equation.
 14 ENGINEERING MECHANICS

Example 1.2. In the following equation verify, whether 9.81 is dimensionless constant.
If it is not so, what should be its dimension?
1 2
s = ut + 9.81 t
2
where s = distance
u = initial velocity
t = time
Solution. Dimensions of various terms are
s=L
–1
u = LT
t=T
Substituting these in the given equation, we get,
–1 1 2
L = LT T+ × 9.81 T
2
1 2
L=L+ × 9.81 T
2
Hence, 9.81 cannot be dimensionless constant. Its dimension is given by
2
L ≡ 1 9.81 T
2
–2
9.81 should have dimensions LT , same as that of acceleration. We know this is gravitational
2
acceleration term in SI unit i.e., it is in m/sec term. Hence the given equation cannot be straightway used is
FPS system or CGS system.

1.10. IDEALISATIONS IN MECHANICS

A number of ideal conditions are assumed to exist while applying the principles of mechanics to
practical problems. In fact without such assumptions it is not possible to arrive at practical solutions. The
following idealisations are usually made in engineering mechanics.
1. The body is rigid.
2. The body can be treated as continuum.
3. If the size of the body is small compared to other distances involved in the problem, it may be treated as a
particle.
4. If the area over which force is acting on a body is small compared to the size of the body, it may be treated
as a point force. For example, in Fig. 1.9, 600 N force is the weight of a man. Actually the man cannot
apply his weight through a single point. There is certain area of contact, which is, however, small compared
to the other dimensions in the problem. Hence, the weight of the man is treated as a point load.
5. Support conditions are idealised (which will be discussed later) as simple, hinged, fixed etc.

1.11. ACCURACY OF CALCULATIONS

of final results. Further in engineering analysis, many
As explained in Art. 1.9, a number of ideal
loads are estimated
conditions are assumed to exist while apply-ing the
principles of mechanics to engineering problems.
These assumptions have some effect on the accuracy
 INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING MECHANICS 15

loads. There are some imperfection in construction and fabrications of structures. To take care all these
uncertainities engineers multiply the load by a number (1.5 to 2.25), which is called factor of safety. In
view of all these, there is no need in noting the calculations beyond four digits. It is found that 0.2%
accuracy is more than sufficient, in the calculations.

1.12. APPROACHES TO SOLUTION

There are two approaches for the solution of engineering mechanics problems i.e. classical approach
and vector approach. Classical approach gives physical feel of the problem. It gives confidence to
engineers in accepting the results presented by others and quickly take decisions on site. Development of
such feel of the problem is very much essential for engineers. However it becomes difficult to solve three
dimensional problems by classical approach. Vector approach is ideally suited for the analysis of three
dimensional problems. But the disadvantage of vector approach is physical feel of the problem is lost and
the ability of site engineers in quick decision is not developed. Hence there are two school of academicians,
one advocating for classical approach and the other advocating for vector approach. In this book author has
used classical approach for the solution of engineering mechanics problems.

Important Definitions and Concepts

1. Displacement is defined as the distance moved by a body or particle in the specified direction.

2. The rate of change of displacement with time is called velocity.

3. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.
4. The product of mass and velocity is called momentum.
5. A body is said to be treated as continuum, if it is assumed to consist of continuous distribution of matter.
6. A body is said to be rigid, if the relative position of any two particles in it do not change under the action of
the forces.
7. Newton’s first law states that everybody continues in its state of rest or of uniform motion in a straight line
unless it is compelled by an external agency acting on it.
8. Newton’s second law states that the rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the
impressed force and it takes place in the direction of the force acting on it.

9. Newton’s third law states for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
10. Newton’s law of gravitation states everybody attracts the other body, the force of attrac-tion between any
two bodies is directly proportional to their mass and inversely propor-tional to the square of the distance
between them.
11. According to the law of transmissibility of force, the state of rest or motion of a rigid body is unaltered, if a
force acting on a body is replaced by another force of the same magnitude and direction but acting
anywhere on the body along the line of action of the replaced force.

12. The parallelogram law of forces states that if two forces acting simultaneously on a body at a point are
represented by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, their resultant is represented in magnitude and
direction by the diagonal of the parallelogram which passes through the point of intersection of the two
sides representing the forces.
13. The qualitative description of physical variable is known as dimension while the quan-titative description is
known as unit.
 16 ENGINEERING MECHANICS

14. A quantity is said to be scalar, if it is completely defined by its magnitude alone.

15. A quantity is said to be vector if it is completely defined only when it’s magnitude as well as direction are
specified.

QUESTIONS

1. Explain the following terms as used in Engineering Mechanics:

(i) Continuum (ii) Rigid Body (iii) Particle.
2. State and explain Newton’s three laws of motion.
3. State and explain Newton’s law of gravitation.
4. State and explain Law of transmissibility of forces.
5. State and explain parallelogram law of forces. From this derive triangle and polygonal laws of forces.

6. Explain the term ‘Force’ and list its characteristics.

7. Explain the terms—concurrent and non-concurrent force system; planar and non-planar system of forces.