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ME30030: Structural mechanics

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CW 15%, EX 85%
Assessment Detail:
  • FEA Assignment (CW 15%)
  • Examination (EX 85%)
Supplementary Assessment:
ME30030 - Re-Assessment Examination (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Description: Aims:
To broaden the understanding of Solid Mechanics by considering elastic and plastic deformation for a variety of component shapes and loadings.
To introduce the critical usage of a commercial finite element package.

Learning Outcomes:
After successful completion of this unit the student will be able to:
* Calculate stresses and deformations in thick cylinders due to a variety of loading conditions including interference fits.
* Manipulate stress and strain components in three dimensions under elastic and plastic deformation. Understand the nature of plastic yielding in relation to pressure vessels and beams in bending.Determine stresses and deflections in laterally loaded circular plates under a variety of loading and support arrangements.
* Use a commercial finite element package to predict stresses and strains and appreciate the importance of validation to the credibility of the solution obtained.

Skills:
Problem solving: numeracy; working independently.

Content:
Relations between stress and strain components in three dimensions, yield criteria, plastic bending in beams, Stresses and deformation of pressurised thick cylinders. Linear bending theory for circular platesIntroduction to and critical usage of a commercial finite element package.

Programme availability:

ME30030 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFB16 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEME-AKB16 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEME-AFB47 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEME-AKB47 : BEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UEME-AFM47 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering (Year 3)
  • UEME-AKM47 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical with Automotive Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 4)

ME30030 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM04 : MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM04 : MEng(Hons) Aerospace Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM38 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Manufacturing and Management with Year long work placement (Year 5)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.