48620 Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering

The objectives of this subject are to build on the engineering science fundamentals that were introduced in 48610 Introduction to Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering and which are required for later subjects, and to sharpen the focus on the university experience emphasised in early-stage subjects. Students should gain an understanding of the approach to learning required of university study; Newtonian mechanics, which is one of the fundamental sciences underlying engineering practice; the modelling concept, as applied to Newtonian mechanics; the idea of particle mechanics and its limitations; basic engineering concepts such as equilibrium, force and acceleration, work, energy and power, impulse and momentum, and the relationships between them; and the idea that acceleration may result from a change in direction as well as change in magnitude of velocity.

Topics include: drawing and understanding the use and purpose of free body diagrams, frames and machines; stress resultants; kinematics and dynamics of plane motion; work, energy and power; linear impulse and momentum; conservation of momentum, impact; centroids and centres of mass; and area moments of inertia.

Assessment: Typically assessment for this subject involves class participation and a final examination.

Typical availability

Spring semester, City campus