2025
Engineering Mechanics I
Name: Engineering Mechanics I
Code: EME13006L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Mechanical Engineering
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Provide the fundamental concepts of Mechanics and an introduction to its application in engineering, in the description, modelling and analysis of mechanical systems comprised of rigid bodies in static situations.
Capabilities to be developed:
(a) use vectors to model and analyze structures and mechanisms assumed as collections of rigid bodies;
(b) identify the actions over any element of a structure by drawing its free body diagram;
(c) write the equilibrium equations and evaluate the static equilibrium of a rigid body in 2D or 3D;
(d) determine the connection forces between members of statically determinate structures and mechanisms;
(e) calculate and draw the bending, shear and tension diagrams of beam like components;
(f) evaluate the effects of the presence of friction over the equilibrium conditions of mechanical systems and structures.
(g) start developing some independence in the study of new subjects.
Capabilities to be developed:
(a) use vectors to model and analyze structures and mechanisms assumed as collections of rigid bodies;
(b) identify the actions over any element of a structure by drawing its free body diagram;
(c) write the equilibrium equations and evaluate the static equilibrium of a rigid body in 2D or 3D;
(d) determine the connection forces between members of statically determinate structures and mechanisms;
(e) calculate and draw the bending, shear and tension diagrams of beam like components;
(f) evaluate the effects of the presence of friction over the equilibrium conditions of mechanical systems and structures.
(g) start developing some independence in the study of new subjects.
Contents
1. Revisions: the concept of force, parallelogram law for the addition of forces, vectors, static equilibrium of particles in 2D and 3D.
2. Rigid body. Moment of a force about a point. Couple of forces. Equivalent systems of forces. Distributed forces. Reduction to a resultant force or force-couple.
3. Free body diagram. Equations governing the static equilibrium of rigid bodies in 2D and 3D.
4. Center of gravity, mass and centroid.
5. Static analysis of rigid body trusses, structures and mechanisms in 2D and 3D. Static determinacy.
6. Determination of internal force resultants in bars, beams and cables.
7. Analysis of rigid body structures in the presence of dry friction. Study of wedges, screws, sliding bearings, belts and cables.
8. Second moments of area. The parallel axis theorem. Principal axis of an area.
2. Rigid body. Moment of a force about a point. Couple of forces. Equivalent systems of forces. Distributed forces. Reduction to a resultant force or force-couple.
3. Free body diagram. Equations governing the static equilibrium of rigid bodies in 2D and 3D.
4. Center of gravity, mass and centroid.
5. Static analysis of rigid body trusses, structures and mechanisms in 2D and 3D. Static determinacy.
6. Determination of internal force resultants in bars, beams and cables.
7. Analysis of rigid body structures in the presence of dry friction. Study of wedges, screws, sliding bearings, belts and cables.
8. Second moments of area. The parallel axis theorem. Principal axis of an area.
Teaching Methods
Teaching is organised into weekly lectures and theoretical-practical classes. Lectures introduce and discuss the fundamental concepts and principles of Statics, using application examples to promote an understanding of their relevance to the analysis of engineering problems. Theoretical-practical classes focus on problem solving, enabling students to apply and consolidate the concepts studied while progressively developing their skills in modelling, analysing and interpreting mechanical systems in equilibrium.
The practical component also includes laboratory activities aimed at relating theoretical models in Statics to the observation and analysis of physical phenomena, as well as an integrative practical assignment developed progressively throughout the semester, involving the combined application of the course contents.
Throughout the semester, weekly office hours are available to students for clarification of questions and support with their learning.
The practical component also includes laboratory activities aimed at relating theoretical models in Statics to the observation and analysis of physical phenomena, as well as an integrative practical assignment developed progressively throughout the semester, involving the combined application of the course contents.
Throughout the semester, weekly office hours are available to students for clarification of questions and support with their learning.
Assessment
Continuous assessment comprises two individual written tests {T1, T2}, one practical assignment {TP}, and a laboratory assessment component {LAB}. All assessment components are graded on a scale from 0 to 20.
Tests T1 and T2 are held approximately midway through and at the end of the semester, respectively, and together cover the Statics contents included in the course syllabus. The practical assignment is integrative in nature and is developed progressively throughout the semester, promoting the combined application of the knowledge acquired. The laboratory component comprises the scheduled laboratory activities and an individual assessment of the knowledge and skills developed through these activities.
Under continuous assessment, the final grade is calculated as:
N = 0.35 × T1 + 0.45 × T2 + 0.15 × TP + 0.05 × LAB
A minimum grade of 8.0 out of 20 is required in each of the T1, T2, TP and LAB components.
As an alternative to continuous assessment, students may take a final examination {E1, E2} on either of the two scheduled examination dates, covering the course syllabus. Under this assessment regime, the final grade corresponds entirely to the grade obtained in the examination:
N = E
Students pass the course unit with a final grade of 9.5 out of 20 or higher.
Tests T1 and T2 are held approximately midway through and at the end of the semester, respectively, and together cover the Statics contents included in the course syllabus. The practical assignment is integrative in nature and is developed progressively throughout the semester, promoting the combined application of the knowledge acquired. The laboratory component comprises the scheduled laboratory activities and an individual assessment of the knowledge and skills developed through these activities.
Under continuous assessment, the final grade is calculated as:
N = 0.35 × T1 + 0.45 × T2 + 0.15 × TP + 0.05 × LAB
A minimum grade of 8.0 out of 20 is required in each of the T1, T2, TP and LAB components.
As an alternative to continuous assessment, students may take a final examination {E1, E2} on either of the two scheduled examination dates, covering the course syllabus. Under this assessment regime, the final grade corresponds entirely to the grade obtained in the examination:
N = E
Students pass the course unit with a final grade of 9.5 out of 20 or higher.
Teaching Staff
- José Eugénio Semedo Garção [responsible]
Accreditations and Certifications
