Additional teaching tools for this course can be found on the website for Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics, by Beer, Johnston, and Eisenberg.

Amazing Weight Loss Program

Summary: This is a simple and rapid demonstration of the perpendicular and parallel components of a force vector on an inclined plane. By weighing a student or instructor first on the floor and then at some inclination, a “loss of weight” is observed.

Pulleys: The Equilibriator Challenge

Summary: This is a simple demonstration of the mechanical advantage associated with pulleys and a solution method for pulley problems. By building a pulley system in the classroom, students can gain a physical appreciation for the problem at hand.

Uniformly Loaded Cables: The Suspension Bridge!

Summary: This is an opportunity to hang something from the ceiling and excite the students about their ability to analyze real world structures. After a few weeks of statics lessons, students possess the ability to determine the maximum and minimum force in a cable suspension bridge through equations of equilibrium.

Truss Me on This; The Zero Force Member Demonstrator

Summary: This is a simple model that will demonstrate the use of zero force members (ZFM) in trusses. Wooden beams are attached with dowels to form a simple truss, which is acted on by an external force. The zero force members are identified by placing a load on a truss and then removing pins at the joints to see if the truss is affected.

K"Necting with Students; Truss Models

Summary: Demonstrate how trusses are enormously strong and stiff as compared to their own weight using this pair of simple K’NEX models. The trusses are built out of K’NEX pieces and topped with a construction paper roadway. Text books are used to load the trusses to demonstrate their high capacity to self-weight ratio.

Cables with Concentrated Loads: The Ski Gondola

Summary: This physical model demonstrates how cables subjected to concentrated point loads establish equilibrium through geometry – i.e., the slope of each cable segment will change (as will the support reactions) as different loads are placed on the cable.

Zero Force Member using K'nex

Summary: Demonstrate the concept of zero force members in a truss using K'nex conectors. A truss bridge is built with several zero force members in the assembly. The truss is supported at both ends and loaded. Students are then asked to identify and remove zero force members.

fundamentals of structural analysis

Summary: thank you