Northeastern University - College of Engineering

ME 2350 Statics – 2021 Spring

Syllabus
Logistics
Welcome to ME2350! This syllabus describes the logistics of the course, key learning
objectives, and standard operating procedures. Your grade will depend mainly on your
performance in the central technical component of the course, but also your participation
and completion of the project.

Textbook
Bedford and Fowler, “Engineering Mechanics – Statics”, 5th Edition.

Instructor
Prof. Jahir Pabon ([email protected])
Office Hours: MWR 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM, or by appointment

Teaching Assistant
Zhenyu Lu ([email protected])
Office Hours: (TBD)

Peer Tutors
(TBD).

Catalog Description
Introduces the vector representation of force and moment, the equivalent force systems,
free body diagrams, and equations of equilibrium. Discusses centroids and center of gravity
of rigid bodies. Examines applications to beams, trusses, and pin-connected frames and
elementary concepts of friction. Discusses variation of internal forces and moments for
beams and cable systems. Theory of dry friction is implemented in simple machine
elements. Introduces the concepts of virtual work and potential energy. Includes a project
that demonstrates the fundamental concepts of center of gravity, equilibrium, potential
energy, and virtual work and stability.

Major Topics:
1. System of forces and moments
2. Moment of a force about a line; couples
3. Objects and structures in equilibrium
4. Free body diagrams and equilibrium equations
5. Trusses and frames
6. Internal forces and moments
7. Dry friction theory and applications
8. Virtual work and potential energy

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Overall Learning Objectives
You will learn and practice how to examine engineering questions related to forces, and
break them down into manageable sections and steps, to which appropriate theories may
be applied. You will also learn to draw and label appropriate diagrams, to ensure that you
build equations of equilibrium correctly. Homework problems in the first few weeks of
the course may seem simple, and you may be tempted to skip steps to solve them (and you
will likely succeed!). However, development of appropriate habits of breaking down and
representing a problem is essential, not only to the different portions of this course, but to
every other engineering course in the curriculum.

Specifically, every student that will get a passing grade should master:
CLO 1 Draw free body diagrams and use them to solve statics problems.
CLO 2 Use vectors to represent forces and moments.
CLO 3 Solve problems in statics using equilibrium methods.
CLO 4 Apply friction in several cases.
CLO 5 Apply energy methods to engineering systems.

You will be given specific questions (called Indicator Questions) in quizzes and exams to
test your ability to satisfy these course learning objectives. Your answers must be
completely correct in order to pass and you will be given multiple opportunities to pass for
each indicator question.

It is important that you appreciate the above ideas, not only for your grade, but also to
operate as an engineer in today’s hypercompetitive society. In support of this, please feel
free to contact any of the course staff for a further discussion of any of these ideas
outside of class!

Student Evaluation and Grading

This course is not graded on a curve. What you earn is what you get. In ME2350, we
recognize that students have different learning styles and abilities that can be
accommodated. There are several paths to the highest grade possible, but you are going to
have to work for it!
Assignment Number % of Grade
HW Assignments 13 10%
Midterm Tests 3 50%
Final Exam 1 30%
Design Project 1 10%

Note that at Northeastern, the following number averages are used for grading:

A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F
≥ 93 ≥ 89 ≥ 86 ≥ 83 ≥ 80 ≥ 77 ≥ 74 ≥ 70 ≥ 67 ≥ 64 ≥ 60 < 60
• To receive a grade in ME2350, you will be required to complete several “indicator” questions (~5).
You must complete each of these perfectly, but you will be given several opportunities to do so.

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Homework Format:
The front page needs to have the course and section ME 2350 Statics
number, followed by your name as registered in the Section 02 (MWR 10:30-11:35)
course (first name last name, with last name in block John Smith
capitals). Then it must have the assignment number HW #1 (Jan 21, 2021)
This submission is my
and the date handed in. See example on the right.
individual work, in accordance
Please number the pages and staple them together. with the NEU Academic
Integrity Code.

Professional-appearing documents reflect well on you and allow your competence to be

recognized both in class and on the job. By writing "neat & clear" homework you
develop an important component of effective communication. Up to 5% of bonus points
may be awarded for each homework conforming to the following guidelines:
1. FREE BODY DIAGRAM: In any problem where FORCES are being determined, a free
body diagram is essential. It should show the rough shape of the body (not just the Center
of Mass), without the surrounding environment (ground, support roller or rope) that acts
on it. It should unambiguously show and name ALL the known and unknown forces
acting on the body, along with any additional known information such as force direction
or magnitude. The coordinate system should be defined if it differs from the norm. Any
points about which moments are taken should be labeled (for example, call a point “P”
so that moments about it can be named “MP”). Dimensional information is also helpful.
2. EXPLANATIONS: Simply listing calculations is poor communication. Please provide
explanations as necessary so the reader can follow and understand your solution. Any
of the following can significantly improve clarity: Defining quantities with words or
pictures; naming the equations or giving them in symbolic form; describing the solution
strategy; explaining how a given result meets expectations or what it ‘means’.
3. WRITING: Please write neatly and clearly. A single column organization is often easier
to follow. Please also ‘box’ your answer. Numerical results should be given to 3-4
significant digits and accompanied with units. (Using units in intermediate computation
stages will help you detect errors.) Leaving one or two blank lines before the next
problem enhances readability.
4.NOTATION: Use consistent symbols for variables in figures equations and answers.
Clearly distinguish vector quantities from scalar ones, by following default notation as
used in lectures. All vectors named in a figure or used in an equation (where they would
be bold in the text) should be given an arrow or caret. All terms in vector expressions
must have the same vector character.

Homework Submission Rule: Each homework is due by 11:59 PM on the Friday of

the week that is posted on the schedule. It is to be submitted via Canvas. Late HW will
NOT be accepted because the solution will be posted right after the deadline.

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Canvas & Communications
Course material (announcements, assignments, grades, etc.) is accessible using the
“Canvas” online system, located at canvas.northeastern.edu. Canvas will be constantly
updated with announcements, course documents, assignment instructions, grades, and
other material as they become available. It can help you communicate with the instructor
and your peers, and it is expected that you will check it frequently for information.

Special Accommodations
If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities that you believe may
require accommodations for this course, please meet with me after class or during my
conference hours to discuss appropriate adaptations or modifications which might be
helpful for you. The Disability Resource Center (DRC), which is located on campus in 20
Dodge Hall (ext. 2675) can provide you with information and other assistance to help
manage any challenges that may affect your performance in your coursework. You will
need to provide documentation of your disability to the DRC if you do require special
accommodations for your coursework.

Academic Integrity Policy

Northeastern University expects students to complete all examinations, tests, papers,
creative projects, and assignments of any kind according to the highest ethical standards,
as set forth either explicitly or implicitly in this Code or by the direction of instructors.
The following is a broad overview, but not an all-encompassing definition, of what
constitutes a violation of academic integrity: http://www.northeastern.edu/osccr/academic-
integrity-policy/.
Specific instructions will be announced for submission of assignments and tests in the first
class.

Feedback on the Course

Feedback, in terms of your ability and opportunity to learn, is highly encouraged. While
there are several avenues for this, it is hoped and expected that students will BEGIN with
their primary instructor. If you are uncomfortable doing this for any reason, feel free to
contact any of the course staff, with the understanding that any procedural issues, or issues
of presentation, may be communicated to the relevant individuals.

In ME2350 we will provide several parallel opportunities to learn the course material, so
please keep in mind that if there are issues with instructor communication and/or style, it
will be recommended that you take advantage of one of these. All the instructors involved
in the course have your education as their primary concern and WANT YOU TO LEARN.

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Diversity and Inclusion
Northeastern University is committed to equal opportunity, affirmative action, diversity,
and social justice while building a climate of inclusion on and beyond campus. In the
classroom, members of the University community work to cultivate an inclusive
environment that denounces discrimination through innovation, collaboration, and an
awareness of global perspectives on social justice. Please visit
http://www.northeastern.edu/oidi/ for complete information on Diversity and Inclusion.

Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects individuals from sex or gender-
based discrimination, including discrimination based on gender-identity, in educational
programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Northeastern’s Title IX
Policy prohibits Prohibited Offenses, which are defined as sexual harassment, sexual
assault, relationship or domestic violence, and stalking. The Title IX Policy applies to the
entire community, including male, female, transgender students, faculty, and staff. In case
of an emergency, please call 911. Please visit www.northeastern.edu/titleix for a complete
list of reporting options and resources both on- and off-campus.