Description
Fundamentals of Mechanics and Materials
Module title | Fundamentals of Mechanics and Materials |
---|---|
Module code | INT1111 |
Academic year | 2020/1 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Andrew Mackenzie Robertson (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Duration: Weeks | 10 | 10 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
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Description - summary of the module content
Module description
This module will introduce fundamental engineering concepts and theory across the areas of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics and will provide you with a solid grounding on which to build in later modules. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object’s response to its environment, whether it’s the forces imparted by traffic as it traverses a bridge or the forces of lift that allow an aircraft to fly. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding classical mechanics which you will study in this module. Within your study of materials you will be introduced to the broad range of materials used throughout engineering from concrete and bitumen to carbon nanotubes and nanocomposites. Finally, this module will introduce you to Electronic Engineering - a field that covers everything from radio to space flight.
The module is broken into 14 learning blocks with each block covering a discrete topic or theory in one of the three disciplines. Upon completion of each learning block, you will complete an online assessment which will allow you to evaluate your understanding of the material and diagnose areas that require further attention. For blocks containing laboratory exercises you will complete a short lab report. These continuous assessments provide ongoing feedback and support you to in actively manage your learning. The year will culminate in an Engineering Competence Structured Assessment (ECSA). This is a primarily verbal form of assessment whereby you are asked to convey your response and solution to a number of pre-seen engineering questions. The ability to articulate engineering concepts in a clear and accurate manner is a fundamental engineering skill. The ESCA affords you the opportunity to develop and utilise this skill.
The module is taught using a flipped learning methodology with each block running over 5 weeks. Each week, you will review background materials and complete question sheets in preparation for tutorial sessions with your lecturers. A flipped learning methodology allows you to extract more benefit from in-person tutorials, but also requires more upfront work by you in preparation. Each week concludes with a consolidation exercise allowing you to assess your progress on material covered that week.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to equip you with fundamental knowledge and skills in Mechanics, Materials and Electronics. It also consolidates a common knowledge base, and begins the development of a learning methodology appropriate to a professional engineer. Through both continuous assessment and the ECSA, the module encourages you to actively manage your own learning and seeks to develop your ability to communicate your understanding of engineering theory and concepts in a professional manner.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Apply basic principles of D.C. and A.C. circuit analysis to simple electrical systems
- 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of statics and dynamics
- 3. Carry out kinematic and kinetic analyses on simple mechanical systems
- 4. Solve basic problems in statics and dynamics, using free body diagrams, force balance equations, Newtons laws of motion, and energy methods
- 5. Demonstrate knowledge of shear forces and bending moments and construct shear force and bending moment diagrams for simply supported beams
- 6. Use the knowledge of hydrostatics perform analyses of submerged and sem1-submerged bodies
- 7. Use knowledge of hydrodynamics to perform analyses of fluids on motion
- 8. Understand the fundamental principles underlying and correlating structure, processing, properties and performance of materials systems
- 9. Understand the knowledge and acquire skills in exploring material structures and characterizing their behaviours
- 10. Demonstrate a knowledge of key properties of different classes of materials
- 11. Develop an understanding of the possible failure types in materials applications and underlying strategy in materials selections for engineering applications
- 12. Demonstrate knowledge demonstrate knowledge of material manufacturing techniques and their properties
- 13. Demonstrate knowledge of basic sustainability concepts for electrical, mechanical and materials systems
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 14. Utilise laboratory equipment correctly and safely, to make simple measurements
- 15. Record and interpret the results of laboratory experiments
- 16. Apply theoretical models to practical problems
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 17. Write clear accounts of laboratory experiments
- 18. Carry out directed private study using textbooks, and other provided resources
- 19. Set out calculations demonstrating solution of problems using theoretical models
Syllabus plan
Syllabus plan
The 14 learning blocks are divided equally among the three disciplines as indicated below. Each block is expected to require approximately 25 hours of student effort. This includes, pre-reading, completion of pre-tutorial challenge worksheets, in-person tutorials, completion of consolidation activities and laboratory activities and completion of assessments.
I. Mechanics
- Forces and static equilibrium
- Equilibrium equations
- Free body diagrams
- Truss Analysis: Method of Joints
- Truss Analysis: Method of Sections
- Introduction to shear forces and bending moments
- Shear forces and bending moments in statically determinate beams and frames
- Principle of superposition
- Introduction to torsion
- Torsion in circular bars
- Non-uniform torsion
- Dimensional analysis (incl. Reynolds and Froude numbers)
- Forces on submerged bodies and buoyancy
- Pressure and head
- Control volume
- Mass conservation
- Friction
- Straight line and curvilinear motion
- Force, mass and acceleration
- Momentum methods
- Damped & undamped simple harmonic motion
- Velocity
- Laminar, transitional and turbulent flow
- Continuity and momentum equations
- Energy equation
- Bernoulli’s equation
- Application of the energy equation
- Measurement techniques
II. Materials
- –Material types
- Atomic structure and bonding
- Structure of crystalline solids
- Imperfections in solids
- Microscopic techniques
- Elasticity
- Disclocation and strengthening mechanisms
- Materials processing and effects on mechanical behaviours
- Characterisation techniques
- Introduction to plasticity
- Failure by deformation
- Failure by brittle fracture
- Failure by creep
- Failure by fatigue
- Casting, moulding and machining
- 3-D printing
- Geometric properties
- Stress and Strain
- Poisson’s Ratio
- Definition of Young’s modulus
- Stress-strain curve
- 1D Hooke’s law
- Properties of concrete and mix design
- Injection moulding
- Material selection
- Manufacture of structural steel
- Timber as a construction material
- Biomaterial fabrication and applications
- Nanomaterial fabrication and applications
-
II. Electronics
- Introduction to electronics
- Electricity, current, charge and potential
- Resistors, potential divider circuits
- Kirchhoff’s Law
- Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits
- Superposition and nodal circuit analysis
- Frequency, amplitude, phase, average and RMS values of AC signals
- Capacitors and inductors
Learning and teaching
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
200 | 100 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled learning and teaching activities (synchronous) | 200 | Tutorials |
Tutorial preparation and guided independent study (asynchronous) | 100 | Online lectures and activities |
Assessment
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
42 | 0 | 58 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Coursework - online assessment worksheets and lab reports. One piece of assessment per block (14 total at approx. 1 hour each) | 42 | 14 hours | 1-19 | Marked and returned to student |
Mechanics Examination (online) | 25 | 1.5 hours | 2-7, 16 | Written feedback returned to student |
Materials Examination (online) | 25 | 1.5 hours | 8-12, 16 | Written feedback returned to student |
Electronics Examination (online) | 8 | 1.5 hours | 1 | Written feedback returned to student |
Re-assessment
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Coursework online assessment worksheets and lab reports. | Written Examination (40%) | 1, 3-7, 13-16, 19 | Next exam period |
Mechanics Examination (online) | Examination (online) | 2-7, 16 | Next assessment period |
Materials Examination (online) | Examination (online) | 8-12, 16 | Next assessment period |
Re-assessment notes
If a student fails to meet both criteria in the Mechanics or Materials component, that component alone can be reassessed via a 2 hour exam. The mark for that component will be capped at 40%. The original mark stands in all other passed components.
Resources
Module has an active ELE page
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
Reading list for this module:
Author |
Title |
Edition |
Publisher |
Year |
ISBN |
Callister, WD |
Materials Science and Engineering: an introduction |
8th |
John Wiley & Sons |
2007 |
978-0470505861 |
Ashby & Jones |
Engineering materials 1 : an introduction to their properties, applications and design |
Electronic |
|
2012 |
0750663812 |
Bedford A & Fowler W |
Engineering Mechanics - Statics & Dynamics Principles |
|
Prentice-Hall |
2003 |
9780130082091 |
Nelson, E W et al |
Schaum's outlines Engineering Mechanics Statics |
|
Mc Graw Hill |
2010 |
978-0071632379 |
Nelson, E W et al |
Schaum's outlines Engineering Mechanics Dynamics |
|
MC Graw Hill |
2011 |
978-0071632379 |
Floyd, Thomas L, Buchla, David M
|
Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices and Applications
|
|
Pearson
|
2010 |
978-0135096833
|
Credit value | 30 |
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Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 4 |
Available as distance learning? | Yes |
Origin date | 12/11/2019 |
Last revision date | 23/07/2020 |