We are all surrounded by different types of
structures.
Buildings, bridges, dams and cranes, you name
it!
Have you ever wondered why we can drive along
the bridges and live in skyscrapers while
the structures can remain stable and safe?
How can the cranes carry heavy loads, like
containers, with ease?
In fact, structures are properly designed
by engineers to withstand the loadings they
are exposed to, and statics, the most fundamental
course in Mechanics, plays an important role
in calculating the forces that a structure
should withstand.
Hello
I am Prof. Lambros Katafygiotis, Professor
of Civil Engineering at the Hong Kong University
of Science and Technology.
It is my pleasure to introduce my online course
“Mastering Statics”.
In this course you will learn the conditions
under which an object or a structure subjected
to static forces is in equilibrium
- i.e. the conditions under which it remains
stationary or moves with a constant velocity-.
You will also learn how to calculate the reaction
forces as well as the internal forces experienced
throughout the structure so that later you
can properly design and size the foundation
and the members of the structure to assure
the structure’s safety and serviceability.
From my long experience of teaching Statics,
I understand that students find certain concepts
related to this course especially confusing.
I will present these concepts in a crystal
clear manner that will leave no room for confusion and ambiguity.
The content will be primarily delivered using light
board.
I am going to write and sketch with color
markers directly on the board while facing
you.
You will have an exciting and interactive
learning experience online!
I will help you to build up your knowledge in Statics,
assuming no prior knowledge,
although past knowledge of physics can prove particularly 
helpful to the point where you will be able
to perform the static analysis of rather complicated structures
This course is suitable for learners with
interest in different Engineering disciplines
such as civil engineering, architecture, mechanical
engineering, aerospace.
Non engineering disciplines may also find
the course very useful, from archeologist
who are concerned about the stability of their
excavation sites to dentists interested in
understanding the forces transmitted through
dental bridges, to orthopedic surgeons concerned
about the forces transmitted through the spine,
or a hip or knee joint.
This course will help you build an
extremely solid foundation in Statics which
will prove invaluable in your subsequent
courses of mechanics, such as solid mechanics,
soil mechanics, fluid mechanics, dynamics,
or structural analysis and design.
Summarizing, I am going to teach you in the
clearest possible way, all concepts and
all the tricks you need to know for “Mastering
Statics”, welcome on board!
