Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

English Language to IELTS 6.0 or Pearsons 54 or equivalent. Satisfy admissions or progression requirement for entry to Stage 1 of an engineering degree programme at Level 3, including A-Level Mathematics or equivalent and normally an A-Level in science or equivalent.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

There are two parts to this module:

- Cylindrical components are often critical in engineering applications, from pipes and pressure vessels to shafts and collars. These lectures look at stresses within cylinders under pressure in order to determine elastic limits, burst pressures and appropriate finishes for effective interference fits.

- Real engineering systems almost always have motion in more than one dimension. These lectures introduce vector descriptions and methods, and show how careful use of free body diagrams and identification of constraints allow general plane motion and the dynamics of connected systems to be described.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus is structured around two main areas:

1. Cylindrical Stresses (6 lectures, 3 tutorials + 3-hour lab, FF)

Lamé’s equations are used to describe stresses in cylinders where the thin-walled approximation breaks down, and the limiting pressure before onset of yield is determined. The growth of the plastic region with increasing pressure, leading to eventual burst, is looked at, along with the benefit of using compound cylinders. Interference fits are an important tool for mechanical engineers, and surface finish tolerances of shafts and holes can be used to determine suitable interferences.

There will be a laboratory session giving students hands-on experience of using strain gauges to measure hoop strain, and tensile testing to obtain material properties.

2. Dynamics (16 lectures, 8 tutorials, BG)

To describe motion in more than one dimension, it is necessary to have a careful vector description of forces, velocity and acceleration, and also moments, angular velocity, angular acceleration and inertia too. Careful use free body diagrams and well defined constraints are important steps towards solving complex motion.

These lectures focus on planar motion, looking at the kinematics of the crank-slider and the rack and pinion; and the Newton-Euler method is introduced to study the kinetics of connected systems, with a look at the problem of shaft whirling.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module, the student will:

- Be able to interpret surface finish tables used in engineering manufacture to control tolerances, interferences and clearances of shafts and holes.[C2]

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of this module, the student will:

- Be able to apply thick-walled cylinder theory to engineering applications of cylindrical pressure vessels.[C1]

- Be able to analyse complex problems such as whirling of shafts and interference fits of shaft collars.[C2]

- Be able to apply appropriate kinetic and kinematic methods and principles to complex planar dynamic problems.[C3]

- Be able to use practical laboratory and workshop skills to apply strain gauges and carry out tensile tests.[C12]

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures deliver the core engineering theory and the methods for applying this to engineering applications. Tutorials support the students' self-study in reading around the lecture material and learning to solve the practical engineering problems posed through tutorial questions.

The laboratory session will give students hands-on experience of using strain gauges to measure the change in hoop strain of a thin-walled pressure vessel when the pressure is released; tensile testing will be used to obtain material properties necessary to determine the burst pressure.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The online examination assesses the students’ ability to apply engineering principles and theory to a variety of problems covering cylindrical pressure vessels, interference fits and planar dynamics.

The students are asked to write a laboratory report describing the equipment, methodology and results of the strain measurement and tensile tests, and drawing conclusions about internal pressure and burst pressure.

General Notes

N/A