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ME30030: Structural mechanics

[Page last updated: 03 June 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
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:
Learning Outcomes: After successful completion of this unit the student will be able to:
* Calculate stresses and deformations in thick cylinders and discs due to a variety of loading conditions including interference fits, thermal change and rotation.
* Manipulate stress and strain components in three dimensions under elastic and plastic deformation. Understand the nature of plastic yielding in relation to beams in bending.
* Use a commercial finite element package to predict stresses and strains and appreciate the importance of validation to the credibility of the solution obtained.


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.

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. Introduction to and critical usage of a commercial finite element package.

Course availability:

ME30030 is Compulsory on the following courses:

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 courses:

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 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses 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.