Undergraduate - UnitMEC3455 - Solid Mechanics

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Synopsis

This unit aims to develop an understanding of the analytical methodologies used in strength and stiffness assessment of engineering structures and components. It allows students to translate real-world forces into abstract form for engineering modelling of a range of common problems found in industry and gain knowledge of the relationship between analysis and design. Students will be exposed to a wide range of analytical tools and modeling philosophies. To complement these analytical solution techniques, students will now taught the fundamentals of finite element analysis.

Outcomes

Understanding of the relevance of strength and stiffness aspects of engineering structures and components.
Appreciation of a range of modeling tools and analytical methodologies.
Understanding of the role of solid mechanics in engineering analysis and design.
Knowledge and skills to translate real-world forces into abstract form for engineering modeling.
Understand the concept of loads and load paths.
Knowledge of alternative analytical tools to solve similar problems.
Apply and contrast a range of analytical tools.
Calculate elastic and inelastic stresses and deflections in simple and compound beams.
Calculate stresses and displacements in pressure vessels.
Analyse torsion of non-circular cross-sections.
Analyse stresses and deflections of flat plates.
Analyse shear stresses in thin-walled sections.
Appreciate the relationship between solid mechanics and engineering design.
Confidence in evaluating new engineering problems and formulating original solutions.

Assessment

Assignments: 10%, Laboratory reports: 20% and Examination (3 hours): 70%
Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component (assignments, tests, mid-semester exams, laboratory reports) and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Chris Davies

Contact hours

3 hours lectures, 3 hours practice sessions/laboratories (this may alternate with 2 hours lectures and 4 hours practice sessions/laboratories) and 6 hours of private study per week

Prerequisites

MEC2402 and MEC2403 and MEC2406