MEC2102 : Principles of Mechanics
- Offered for Year: 2018/19
- Module Leader(s): Dr Michael Lau
- Demonstrator: Dr Eugene Wong, Dr Mohamad Bin Hussen
- Lecturer: Dr Didier Talamona
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Singapore
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
The module, firstly aims to bring all students to the level of Stage 1 competency in mechanics (statics and strength of material) and secondly to give students the knowledge and analytical skills in dynamics and simple machines.
Outline Of Syllabus
(1) A review of system of forces and moments, equilibrium and free-body diagrams; constraints and degrees of freedom; centroids and centres of mass; moments of inertia of area; dry friction
(2) Axial stress, shear stress, torsional stress; shear force and bending moments; second moment of area, simple beam theory, bending stress; beam deflection, superposition
(3) Newton’s Laws for linear and rotating systems; moments of inertia of mass and radius of gyration; Kinematic analysis of linkages; 2D rigid body dynamics and kinematics; pure translation; general plane motion; kinetic energy of rigid bodies; strain and potential energy; energy methods; work & power; free and forced vibrations of damped single degree of freedom systems.
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 72 | 1:00 | 72:00 | Structured presentation of syllabus may include skills demonstration, formative feedback, etc |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 60 | 0:30 | 30:00 | Recommended revision for exams, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 4 | 8:00 | 32:00 | Target non-timetable hours to complete coursework assignment submission |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | End of Semester 2 examination. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Mid Term Exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 4 | 5:00 | 20:00 | Extended activity (computing class) to apply taught material, develop professional skills |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 42:30 | 42:30 | Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures convey the underlying engineering science and the approaches required to apply this to the discipline-specific problems identified.
Tutorials support the students' self-study in reading around the lecture material and learning to solve the practical engineering problems posed by the Tutorial Questions.
Laboratory work enables students to attain hands-on experience in analysing and solving real engineering problems using software modelling tools.
Computer-based modelling assignments and reporting of these develop essential professional engineering skills in this field.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | M | 15 | Mid-term quiz (Semester 1 topics). |
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 60 | All topics. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 10 | Stress Analysis assignment (max 7.5hours). |
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 5 | Report and assessment (max 7.5 hours). |
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 10 | Reports and assessments (max 7.5hours). |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The examination provides an appropriate way to assess both theoretical understanding and practical problem solving skills under time-constraint as required in industry.
Laboratory work enables more realistic engineering problems to be set and may also assess data acquisition and software skills. The students will be aware of the definitions, SI units and dimensions of physical quantities and be able to apply the broad base of scientific principles, which underpin the characteristics and uses of engineering discipline, with some deeper knowledge and understanding in a chosen topic.
The software simulation and analysis assignment covers essential professional skills that cannot be assessed realistically in an examination.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC2102's Timetable