01 / Reading Guide
Reading Guide
Citation
Hibbeler, R. C. (2022). Engineering Mechanics: Statics (15th ed.). Pearson.
Chapter Summary
The fifteenth edition has eleven chapters, followed by an appendix, Mathematical Review and Expressions, and sections of partial solutions and answers to the Fundamental Problems and of review problem solutions. Pearson's description says the book is built around highly visual, methodical applications; that it shows how to draw correct free-body diagrams, set up and solve equilibrium problems systematically, and prepare for dynamics and mechanics of materials; and that about 30% of the problems in this edition are new, with practical applications from different fields of engineering. Pearson's description lists the topics as force vectors; equilibrium of a particle and of a rigid body; force system resultants; structural analysis of trusses, frames and machines; internal forces; friction; centre of gravity and centroid; moments of inertia; and virtual work.
Chapter 1: General Principles
The general principles of the subject, the starting point for the force and equilibrium chapters that follow.
Chapter 2: Force Vectors
Force vectors, the representation of forces that all later chapters use.
Chapter 3: Equilibrium of a Particle
Equilibrium for a single particle, the simplest case, and a natural place for the free-body diagram that Pearson's description puts at the centre of the book.
Chapter 4: Force System Resultants
How a system of forces (and moments) is reduced to a resultant.
Chapter 5: Equilibrium of a Rigid Body
The extension of equilibrium from a particle to an extended body.
Chapter 6: Structural Analysis
Trusses, frames and machines, the structural applications of rigid-body equilibrium named in the publisher's description.
Chapter 7: Internal Forces
Forces inside members, as opposed to the external forces on a body.
Chapter 8: Friction
Friction in equilibrium problems.
Chapter 9: Center of Gravity and Centroid
Locating the point through which weight, or the geometric centre of an area, acts.
Chapter 10: Moments of Inertia
Area moments of inertia and related geometric properties.
Chapter 11: Virtual Work
The principle of virtual work as a further method for equilibrium problems.
Appendix and problem sections
Appendix A, Mathematical Review and Expressions, is followed by sections of "Fundamental Problems Partial Solutions and Answers" and "Review Problem Solutions".
Key Concepts
Chapters 1–3: particles and vectors
- Force vectors: the mathematical representation of forces used in every later chapter.
- Free-body diagram: the sketch that isolates a body and the forces on it; Pearson says the book shows how to draw correct ones.
- Particle equilibrium: the first equilibrium problems.
Chapters 4–6: rigid bodies and structures
- Force system resultants: replacing a force system by an equivalent resultant.
- Rigid-body equilibrium: the conditions for equilibrium of an extended body.
- Trusses, frames and machines: the structures analysed in Chapter 6.
Chapters 7–11: internal forces and geometric properties
- Internal forces: forces within a member.
- Friction: its role in equilibrium.
- Centroid and centre of gravity; moments of inertia: geometric properties used in later courses.
- Virtual work: the final chapter's topic.
Critical Analysis
Strengths
- A conventional, readable sequence. The eleven chapters run from principles and vectors through particle and rigid-body equilibrium to structures and then to topics that serve later courses (centroids, moments of inertia, virtual work), so the book can be used in the order printed.
- Support for problem practice. The contents list partial solutions and answers to the Fundamental Problems and review problem solutions, and Pearson reports that about 30% of this edition's problems are new.
- Digital companions. Pearson offers an eTextbook and Mastering Engineering, and separately sells access to videos that accompany the title.
- Forward-looking. Pearson says the book builds a foundation for dynamics and mechanics of materials; centroids and moments of inertia (Chapters 9 and 10) are quantities the latter relies on.
Limitations
- Statics only. The book stops at equilibrium; motion belongs to a separate dynamics volume.
- Several versions. Pearson lists the fifteenth edition under several ISBNs (print, eTextbook, Mastering) and a separate SI units edition, so confirm which version a course uses.
- Geometric topics come late. Centroids and moments of inertia are Chapters 9 and 10, so a course that needs them earlier has to jump ahead.
Where It Fits in the Course
Hibbeler's Engineering Mechanics: Statics is the statics text in the statics-and-dynamics list. Meriam and Kraige's Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics is the dynamics text, to be read after it. Bird and Ross's Mechanical Engineering Principles builds statics, dynamics and basic strength of materials step by step from simple mathematics, and is a gentler route for students who are unsure of their mathematics. Moebs, Ling and Sanny's University Physics Volume 1 covers calculus-based mechanics including static equilibrium and is a good source for physical background.
Williams's Fundamentals of Applied Dynamics and Rao's Mechanical Vibrations are later reading in dynamics and vibration; neither replaces a statics course.
How to Use This Book
The book is a first course in statics for engineering students, preparing them for dynamics and mechanics of materials. Vector algebra, trigonometry and basic calculus are the natural preparation; Appendix A provides a mathematical review.
A practical plan:
- Core: Chapters 1–5 in order, as one block: vectors, particle equilibrium, resultants and rigid-body equilibrium form the base for everything else.
- Applications: Chapter 6 (structures) and Chapter 8 (friction) next, then Chapter 7 for internal forces.
- Geometric properties: Chapters 9 and 10 can be taken early, for readers who will go on to mechanics of materials.
- Optional: Chapter 11 on virtual work is the most easily shortened or deferred.
- Practice: use the Fundamental Problems, which have partial solutions and answers at the back, as a quick check before attempting the book's other problems, and begin each problem with a free-body diagram.