48642 Strength of Engineering Materials

This subject draws on, and brings together, the knowledge and skills developed in earlier subjects such as 48620 Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, 60101 Chemistry and Materials Science, and 48331 Mechanics of Solids. It also prepares students for the more dedicated design subjects to come and exposes them to practical aspects of mechanical engineering design. The objectives are that students should be able to: understand, describe and use the methodology of modelling material properties and behaviour; understand and describe the fundamental differences in the behaviour of different types of materials; understand and describe how and why things fail; realise the importance of material selection in engineering design; predict, or design to avoid, failure given the material, environment and loading conditions; and use analytical skills in stress analysis and knowledge of material properties in mechanical design.

Topics include: the use of stress analysis and material properties in materials selection and mechanical design; stress analysis – revise concept of normal and shear stress; combined stress; structures and m/c components; impact; material behaviour – time dependent material properties; strength; failure modes – theories, criteria for static failure (e.g. Tresca, von Mises, Mohr), fracture, creep, and fatigue; and strain energy methods.

Assessment: Typically assessment for this subject involves assignments, lab work and reports, a mid-semester quiz and a final examination.

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus
Spring semester, City campus
Autumn semester, Hong Kong
Spring semester, Hong Kong
Summer session, Hong Kong
Winter session, Hong Kong