Module overview
This module equips students with a comprehensive understanding of how mechanical systems move and deform when subjected to external forces. It first introduces the fundamental laws covering particle dynamics, before progressing to rigid body dynamics in both 3D and 2D situations. We then investigate stress and strain analysis and their graphical interpretation using Mohr’s circles. This enables students to fully understand what stresses and strains are present in a mechanical body and whether the material can withstand them, enabling them to design structures that are suitable for the real-world. We then progress to advanced topics including buckling and deformation of mechanical structures such as beams and cantilevers.
The module includes two coursework assignments covering fundamental principles and two laboratory experiments: stress-strain loading experiments and deformation of beams. Students will be supported by examples and tutorial questions with many real-life practical examples.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Analyse simple mechanical systems
- Predict motion of rigid bodies
- Apply superposition principle for analysis of combined loading
- Derive particle and vehicle trajectory equations
- Calculate stresses and strains in mechanical systems
- Calculate beams deflection and twisting of shafts
- Indentify failure criteria for mechanical systems
- Formulate stability criteria and explore mechanical instabilities
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Energy and momentum conservation
- Statically determinate and indeterminate systems
- Buckling and stability of columns
- Mechanical properties of matter
- Basic concepts and principles in mechanics of solids
- Relations between stress, strain and deformation
- Basics of beam design and structural analysis
- Energy methods
- Dynamics of particles and vehicles; rotation of a rigid body
- Applications of superposition principle
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate theory of mechanics applied to simple practical situations
- Explain the design principles for simple mechanical devices
- Apply mathematical methods and vector algebra to mechanical problems
- Explain the meaning and consequences of mechanics
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Work in a small team to conduct an experiment
- Operate simple instrumentation equipment
Syllabus
Introduction
- Basic Concepts
- Fundamental Laws
- Units
- Scalar & Vector
Particle Dynamics
- Newton's Laws of Motion
- Particle motion for constant and variable force
- Energy and Momentum
- Work done by Force
- Kinetic and Potential Energy
- Energy and Momentum Conservation
- Friction
- Linear Momentum
- Collisions between particles
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies
- Rotation of rigid body about a fixed axis
- Angular Momentum
- Conservation of Angular Momentum
- Moments of inertia
- Inertia Matrix
Mechanics of Engineering structures
- Statics, structural and solid body component
- Stress, strain and deformation, elastic and plastic deformation
- Tension, compression and torsion
- Determinate and indeterminate systems
Theory of Torsion
- Solid and thin-walled cylinder, torque, shear stress and angle of twist
Two Dimensional Analysis of Stress
- Stresses on a plane inclined to the direction of loading; normal and shear stresses
- An element subjected to a general two dimensional stress system
- Mohr's stress circle, principal stresses and planes, maximum shear stress
Shearing Force, Bending Moment and Torque Diagrams
- Sear force and bending moment diagrams; torsion of members
- Relations between torque, shear stress & strain, angle of twist
- Principle of superposition
Bending of Beams
- Shear forces, bending moment distributions and deformation
- Stress-strain relationship in pure bending
- Section modulus and flexural rigidity, properties of areas
- Deflection of beams due to bending moments, effects of support conditions, double-integration method and Macaulay's notations
- Beams made of dissimilar material
- Eccentric loading and Asymmetrical bending
- Statically Indeterminate Beams
Strain Energy
- Elastic strain energy, normal stress and shear, strain energy in bending
- Buckling Buckling instability, effects of support conditions.
Learning and Teaching
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wider reading or practice | 20 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 24 |
| Lecture | 33 |
| Seminar | 4 |
| Completion of assessment task | 18 |
| Revision | 16 |
| Follow-up work | 24 |
| Tutorial | 11 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Hibbeler RC (2008). Mechanics of Materials. London: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Beer FP, Johnston ER (1977). Vector mechanics for engineers: statics and dynamics. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Benham PP, Crawford RJ, Armstrong CG (1996). Mechanics of Engineering Materials. Harlow: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Bedford A, Fowler WL (2001). Engineering mechanics: dynamics. Prentice Hall.
Meriam JL, Kraige LG (2007). Engineering mechanics, Vol. 2, Dynamics. Wiley.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Final examination on stress-strain relations, Hook's law and beam theory (75%), 2 assignments on conservation laws (15%) plus 2 technical labs (10%) to consider Stress, Strain and Structural Beam Theory, addressing the above-listed learning outcomes. The labs are conducted under the umbrella of ELEC1029 but the marks contribute towards this module.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 75% |
| Technical Laboratories | 10% |
| Assignment | 10% |
| Assignment | 5% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Examination | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External