Introduce the Design Project

1. Describe the design project and distribute the wood to the students (Figure 1).  
2. Present the development of a Gant Chart (students are required to develop one for their project).

Figure 1 - Wood given to students for design project in Fall of 1999.

Equilibrium in 2D and 3D:

1. Write the six equations of equilibrium on the board.  Reiterate that these are the key equations of statics which will be used to determine unknown forces and reactions in this course.
2. Briefly review the rules for drawing free body diagrams.
3. Have pairs of students each take a different support or connection from Tables 6.1 in the text.  Ask them to figure out why the free body given applies to their support or connection.  After about 5 minutes, have each group explain the modeling of their support or connection to the class.
4. Work an example on the board demonstrating how the use of Table 6.1 in constructing a FBD.
5. Have pairs of students draw the free body of a given system (such as problem 6.7), and tell them they can take a break after showing you their correct answer.
6. Explain why two force members can only have forces along the line connecting the pinned ends (illustrate that the shape of the two force member does not matter).
7. Work a problem which requires that a free body diagram be drawn and that unknown reactions be determined.
8. Have students work a problem in groups of four and turn it in when they are finished.  They can leave when they are finished.

Active Learning Exercises
Hands-On Active Learning Exercises
Instructor Demonstrations