ENS1003DA | 2025 | University of Exeter

MODULE TITLE	Fundamental and Applied Mechanics	CREDIT VALUE	30
MODULE CODE	ENS1003DA	MODULE CONVENER	Dr Ehsan Gholamalizadeh

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	4	4

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	25

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Without the careful measurement of static and hydrostatic forces, structures like the Hoover Dam or the Tamar bridge could not have been built. This examination of the static behaviour of solids and fluids, which underpins much of civil engineering and mechanical engineering design, is just one of the key areas you will explore on this module.

You will encounter fluid and solid static equations and principles, including tension and compression. You will learn how to determine the forces, pressures and deformations in fluid scenarios and solid structures. In a hands-on laboratory session, you will measure the force generated by a water jet, hitting different surfaces, and then illustrate your results in diagrams.

On completing this module, you will be familiar with the basics of fluid and solid principles. The knowledge and skills learnt will be applied to practical problems, such as determining the loading capacity of bridges, power-transmission shafts in cars, and turbines, a floating pontoon, planning for bridges, buildings, mixing fluids in chemical plants, designing transportation systems of fluids, and detecting the flaws or failures in fluid systems. You will have an excellent foundation in critical measurement techniques and be proficient in using a hydraulic bench, in this case, equipped with a pump and simple system to measure flow rate.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to introduce you to fundamental concepts of solid mechanics and fluid mechanics, separated into two sections. For solid mechanics this includes stress/strain relationships, axial members, torsion and beams. For fluid mechanics this covers fluid properties, hydrostatic pressures, buoyancy and stability, continuity, momentum, energy equations, and applications to engineering problems.

The following Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module:

• C.1 - Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Some of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study

• C.2 - Analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1	learn the basic theory and concepts behind statics and hydrostatics; the behaviour of static solid and fluid systems
2	apply the principles of statics and dynamics to the analysis of simple mechanical and fluid systems
3	become familiar with units and magnitudes used in statics and hydrostatics
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4	uunderstand the importance and application of statics and hydrostatics to engineering projects
5	become familiar with the mathematical and analytical concepts required for statics and hydrostatics
6	record and interpret the results of observed practical experiments and demonstrations
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:
7	write clear accounts (of laboratory experiments and demonstrations)
8	carry out directed private study using textbooks, and other provided resources
9	demonstrate an awareness of health and safety issues applicable to working in a supervised laboratory
10	develop the ability for self-study and monitoring
11	provide constructive feedback to teaching staff

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Basics of Mechanics

• Forces and Free-body Diagrams

• Moments

• Objects and Structures in Equilibrium

• Friction

• Straight Line/Curvilinear Motion

• Force, Mass and Acceleration

• Energy Methods

• Momentum Methods

Applied Mechanics

Solid mechanics:

• Stress concept

o Mohr Circle

• Axial members

o Stress and strain

o Stress and deformation

• Torsion

o Stress and deformation

• Beam

o Shear Force, Bending Moment

Fluid mechanics:

• Hydrostatics

o Fluid Definitions, Types, and Basic Properties

o Definition and Conversion between Pressure and Head

o Static Forces on Fully Submerged and Semi-submerged Surfaces

o Buoyancy and Stability

• Fluid Dynamics

o Flow Behaviours and Reynolds Number

o Continuity of Flow and Flow in Pipe

o Momentum Equation and its Applications

o Jet Flow Experiment and Analysis

o Energy Equation and its Applications

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	76	Guided Independent Study	170	Placement / Study Abroad	54

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	40	Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	32	Tutorials
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	4	Laboratories
Guided independent study	170	Further reading, reflection on scheduled learning and teaching, preparation for assessments
Placement	54	Learning at work

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	50	Written Exams	50	Practical Exams

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Examination	50	3 hours	1-11, C1, C2	On request after exam
Coursework 1	25	2 hours	1-11, C1, C2	Via Bart
Coursework 2	25	2 hours	1-11, C1, C2	Via Bart

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Time scale for re-assessment
Examination	Examination (3 hours, 50%)	1-11, C1, C2	Referral/deferral period
Coursework 1	Coursework (2 hours, 25%)	1-11, C1, C2	Referral/deferral period
Coursework 2	Coursework (2 hours, 25%)	1-11, C1, C2	Referral/deferral period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment.. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

If the Deferral or Referral relates to

Examination – A similar Examination which assesses the same Intended Learning outcomes would be set

Coursework 1: A similar coursework which assesses the same Intended Learning Outcomes would be set.

Coursework 2: This is a practical exercise which would not be practical to repeat. Therefore, a coursework that assesses the same learning outcomes would be set.

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Author	Title	Edition	Publisher	Year	ISBN
Beer, F. P.	Mechanics of Materials		McGraw-Hill Education	2015	9780073398235
Douglas, J.F.,	Fluid Mechanics	6th	Pearson/Prentice	2011	10: 0273717723
Gasiorek, J.M., Swaffield, J.A.			Hall	2012	0750663812

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE	30	ECTS VALUE	15

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	4	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Tuesday 3rd June 2025	LAST REVISION DATE	Tuesday 30th September 2025

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Solid mechanics; beam theory; fluid mechanics; incomprehensible flow.

Fundamental and Applied Mechanics - 2025 entry