Basics of Structural Mechanics (5 cr)

Objective

On completion of the course the student can:
• identify axial stress
• identify shear and bending stress
• describe the principle of deformations and displacements
• calculate deflection of a beam
• explain how to size a beam for bending
• recognise the maximum eccentricity of normal load not causing tension in a member
• solve forces of truss members
• explain the buckling of a compressed member
• explain the design of a compressed member.

Content

• Basic assumptions of strength theory, mechanical properties of materials
• Elastic and plastic behaviour: tension/compression, bending, shear
• Hooke's law
• Beam deflection lines and shear and moment diagrams without numerical values and calculations
• Determining the deflection of simple beams using tables
• Principles of sizing a beam for bending
• Stress and strain diagrams
• Trusses
• Euler's formulas for slender columns
• Principles of dimensioning of rod structures under compression against buckling
• Basics of torsion
• Use of appropriate computer software to check hand calculations

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

On completion of the course the student can:
• identify axial stress
• identify shear and bending stress
• describe the principle of deformations and displacements
• understand deflection of a beam
• explain how to size a beam for bending
• recognise the maximum eccentricity of normal load not causing tension in a member
• understand forces of truss members
• explain the buckling of a compressed member
• explain the design of a compressed member.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

On completion of the course the student can:
• calculate axial stress
• calculate shear and bending stress
• calculate deformations and displacements
• calculate deflection of a beam
• measure a beam for bending
• understand the maximum eccentricity of normal load not causing tension in a member
• solve forces of truss members
• calculate the buckling of a compressed member
• measure a compressed member.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

On completion of the course the student can:
• interpret and calculate axial stress
• interpret and define shear and bending stress
• derive and calculate deformations and displacements
• generalize and apply deflection of a beam
• design and develop a beam for bending
• apply the maximum eccentricity of normal load not causing tension in a member
• calculate and apply forces of truss members
• examine and derive the buckling of a compressed member
• design and justify the behaviour of compressed members.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

On completion of the course the student can:
• identify axial stress
• identify shear and bending stress
• describe the principle of deformations and displacements
• understand deflection of a beam
• explain how to size a beam for bending
• recognise the maximum eccentricity of normal load not causing tension in a member
• understand forces of truss members
• explain the buckling of a compressed member
• explain the design of a compressed member.
• solve forces of truss members
• explain the buckling of a compressed member
• explain the design of a compressed member.

Qualifications

Statics