Engineering Statics with MATLAB®

<p>This text makes use of symbolic algebra and vector-matrix algebra to demonstrate a new approach to learning statics. Symbolic solutions are obtained together with the types of solutions covered in other texts so that students can see the advantages of this new approach.</p><p>This innovative text is an extension of second-generation <i>vector Statics</i> courses to a new third-generation <i>matrix-vector Statics</i> course a course that addresses deformable as well as rigid bodies and employs MATLAB®.</p><p>MATLAB® is used as a “calculator” whose built-in functions are used to solve statics problems. This text uses vectors and matrices to solve both statically determinate rigid body problems and statically indeterminate problems for deformable bodies.</p><p>The inclusion of statically indeterminate problems is unique to this text. It is made possible by using symbolic algebra and a new simplified vector-matrix formulation that combines the equations of equilibrium the homogeneous solutions to those equations and a description of the flexibilities found in the deformable elements of a structure to solve directly for the unknown forces/moments.</p>