Engineering and design

Principles and Applications of Strength of Materials

Module code: H7102
Level 5
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Workshop, Lecture, Laboratory
Assessment modes: Unseen examination, Coursework

Have you ever asked yourself why objects break? It happens in nature and every area of human activity. To answer this question, we have to look not only at the shape of the object and the loads acting on it but also deep inside it – at the structure of the materials, the strength of the bonds between the particles making it, the purity of the material and many other factors.

In Newtonian Mechanics, you looked at the objects from an outside perspective. In this module, you look at what happens inside it – at the internal forces that develop and react to the external loading. To do this effectively and efficiently, we introduce and use the concepts of stress and strain.

This modules introduces you to fundamental concepts, which allow you to understand the physical phenomena that takes place when materials are under the action of forces.

By mastering those concepts, you are not only able to carry out quick calculations, but can use numerical tools, and even improve them. These concepts are vital to the mechanical design process.

Topics include:

  • internal forces in solids
  • stress and strain
  • uniaxial stress and strain
  • tension - compression
  • statically indeterminate systems in tension - compression
  • buckling
  • biaxial stress
  • thin-walled pressure vessels
  • plane stress
  • relationships between stress and strain
  • elastic failure criteria
  • stress measurement
  • torsional loading
  • springs
  • strain energy in torsion
  • beam bending theory
  • shear force and bending moment diagrams
  • stresses and deflections in bending
  • strain energy in bending
  • indeterminate beams
  • dynamic loading
  • thick wall cylinders
  • rotating discs
  • elementary plastic design.

Pre-requisite

Engineering Mechanics
Materials & Manufacturing Processes

Module learning outcomes

  • Analyse complex problems based on understanding and application of well-established engineering, mathematical and natural science principles to reach conclusions regarding the strength and deformation of parts subjected to various types of loading.
  • Apply appropriate analytical methods to model the stress field and strains in parts subjected to loading recognising their limitations and the simplifying assumptions made.
  • Select, evaluate and use technical literature to understand and analyse elastic and plastic behaviour of mechanical parts
  • Use experimental methods to evaluate strain and understand their importance and limitations