Module ENGI4211: Applied Mechanics

Department: Engineering

ENGI4211: Applied Mechanics

Prerequisites

• Level 3 MEng Mechanical Engineering route

Corequisites

• As specified in programme regulations

Excluded Combination of Modules

• As specified in programme regulations

Aims

• This module is designed solely for students studying School of Engineering and Computing Sciences degree programmes.
• The module will provide graduates with advanced knowledge and understanding of computational stress analysis, dynamics, fracture mechanics and fatigue, and of methods of application to modern complex structural analysis.

Content

• Fundamentals of fracture mechanics.
• Stress intensity factors and fracture toughness.
• Mechanics of the plastic zone at a crack tip in plane stress and plane strain.
• Methods of determining stress intensity factors.
• S-N approach to fatigue resistant design, including mean stress correction.
• Techniques for cumulative damage assessment.
• Strain-life approach to fatigue resistant design.
• Macro crack growth laws and damage tolerance assessment.
• Environmental effects on fatigue.
• Weighted Residual derivation of the Finite Element Method.
• Theory of 8-noded hexahedral isoparametric finite elements.
• Geometric and Material Nonlinearity.
• Elasto-plasticity theory.
• Newton-Raphson scheme for non-linear Finite Element Analysis.
• Determination of structural modes and natural frequencies.
• Equations of motion and matrix analysis.
• Orthogonality of modes and modal superposition.
• Stability of time-stepping schemes.

Learning Outcomes

• An appreciation and technical understanding of the mechanics of sub-critical crack growth under cyclical loading and brittle fracture failure under critical conditions.
• An understanding of Weighted Residual approaches to development of the finite element method.
• An understanding of the fundamentals of modern computational techniques for static and dynamic stress analysis, and an appreciation of their capabilities and limitations.
• An understanding of techniques for non-linear analysis in static and dynamic stress analysis.

• An awareness of current technology, analysis methods and industrial practices along with the ability to apply those methods in novel situations.
• To use effectively specialised, advanced computational tools (including MATLAB) for the analysis of stress and dynamics problems.
• The ability to carry out assessments of fatigue resistance of mechanical and structural components.
• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specialised and advanced technical and professional skills, an ability to perform critical assessment and review and an ability to communicate the results of their own work effectively.

• Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
• Highly specialised numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
• Highly specialised use of information technology (IT) relevant to the engineering profession.
• Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The courses Computational Stress Analysis,Fracture and Fatigue and Dynamics and Vibrations are covered in lectures, and are reinforced by problem sheets and worked examples, leading to the required problem solving capability.
• Students are able to make use of staff 'Tutorial Hours' to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis. These are sign up sessions available for up to one hour per week per lecture course.
• Written timed examinations are appropriate because of the wide range of analytical, in-depth material covered in this module and to demonstrate the ability to solve advanced problems independently.
• The Stress Analysis examination assess material from the Computational Stress Analysis,Fracture and Fatigue courses.
• the Dynamics and Vibrations examination covers material in the Dynamics and Vibrations course.
• The written examinations are supplemented by written coursework assignments based upon computational work. These written assignments provide the mechanism for the assessment of a student's ability to perform independent investigation, analysis and reporting.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University