41054 Applied Mechanics and Design A
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Subject handbook information prior to 2022 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade, no marksRequisite(s): 48610 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering AND 68037 Physical Modelling AND 33130 Mathematics 1
Anti-requisite(s): 48620 Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering
Description
The strength and stiffness of machine components are essential for safety and ensuring machines and structures meet minimum design life criteria. In this subject, students gain fundamental knowledge and skills required to undertake basic design for strength and stiffness of mechanical systems, including: conducting external load analysis by drawing free body diagrams and applying principles of equilibrium; calculating internal actions (normal and shear forces, bending and torsional moments) by drawing free body diagrams and applying principles of equilibrium; selecting suitable materials and calculating appropriate sizes by applying principles of mechanics of materials, e.g. stress, strain, material properties, ductile yield; referring to relevant standards and codes to assess design safety; using understanding of the above theoretical methods to use computational tools such as simulation software to conduct virtual testing; and, conducting experimental testing to verify and validate theoretical/simulation results.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Design simple machine structural components for strength and stiffness. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Analyse relatively simple machine structural components by applying fundamental engineering mechanics and mechanics of materials concepts to calculate internal actions. |
| 3. | Apply experimental and computational techniques to analyse simple mechanical components |
| 4. | Reference and apply relevant design standards to meet minimum safety and design requirements. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Students will learn how to design and analyse mechanical components through practice-based problem solving on their own, with peers and with tutor guidance in classes. Online learning resources such as videos, notes, quizzes and challenges will enable students to flexibly access, learn and use the subject content.
This subject consists of three main teaching modules and a single major project. Each module will be completed over a period of three weeks and formative quizzes undertaken to gauge student competency of these modules. Each module will comprise of (1) online learning materials, (2) weekly face-to-face tutorials, (3) weekly forums, and (4) possible lab classes.
Feedback and reflection on content will be provided during tutorials where students are required to actively participate in learning activities facilitated by the tutor.
Students are expected to complete online learning materials to facilitate in-class activities for tutorials and forums. This will include a number of individual and collaborative activities on theoretical and computational analysis where students will be encouraged to actively contribute.
Formative Quizzes will be used throughout learning modules to help student monitor their performance and provide feedback on progress and understanding of content.
A Mastery Exam will be undertaken to demonstrate student’s understanding of the course content.
After successfully meeting the requirements of the Mastery Exam students will have the option to undertake an individual major project. Feedback will be provided through direct engagement with tutors where students provided details of their approach to the projects and are given direction by tutors. This will be assessed through a professional technical report provided by the student and a brief presentation demonstrating their work.
Content (topics)
Design for strength ('static' loads)
Design for stiffness ('static' loads)
Frames, trusses, machines and components
Stress
Strain
Equilibrium of external loads
Free Body Diagrams
Equilibrium and internal actions
Shear, axial force and bending, torsion moment diagrams
Stress components at a point
Mechanical properties of materials (E, G, v, Sy, Suts, brittle v ductile failure, von-Mises stress (simplified explanation))
Standards and codes for design safety
Stress and deflection analysis using simulation software
Experimental strength and stiffness measurement
Finite element method stress analysis
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Mastery Exam
| Intent: | The Mastery Exam is the primary assessment for this subject. Students will take this exam to demonstrate their knowledge of the content. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 2 hours |
Assessment task 2: Major project
| Intent: | Students to apply subject knowledge and methods. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | Several pages of hand calculations. A spreadsheet of calculations. Several finite element analyses. Some physical testing of materials and components. An approximately 2000 word (equivalent) technical report. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject students must achieve a mark of 80% or more in the Mastery Exam.
Recommended texts
Hibbeler: Engineering Mechanics - Statics (or equivalent)
Hibbeler: Mechanics of Materials (or equivalent)
Mott: Machine Elements in Mechanical Design (or equivalent)