The aims of this module include:
To further the learners' knowledge of common engineering materials, from the range of metals, metal alloys, ceramics, and polymers. To introduce students to the Material Index and its application in selecting materials for specific applications.
To provide the learner with comprehensive and theoretical instruction in fatigue failure analysis and to refine the student’s ability to solve complex machine design problems using this analysis.
To provide the learner with an understanding of the fundamental theory of mechanical vibrations, including un-damped and damped free vibrations of a single degree of freedom system and un-damped and damped forced vibrations of a single degree of freedom system.
Materials – Properties, Processing and Applications
Classification of materials. Introduction to properties, applications and processing of ceramics and polymers. Selection of materials including economic, environmental and societal considerations.
Materials Selection
Material property charts. Identification of optimum balance of materials properties using the Materials Index (MI). Use the MI together with material selection charts to choose a material to meet specified requirements.
Failure Mechanism - Fatigue
Cause of fatigue failure. Fatigue life methods. Endurance limit; fatigue strength; factors affecting endurance limit; stress concentration and notch sensitivity; characterising fluctuating stress; torsional fatigue strength; combination of loading modes; considerations for design and development of components subject to dynamic loads; mechanical, thermal and chemical surface hardening treatments to reduce the possibility of fatigue.
Introduction to Mechanical vibrations
General introduction to vibration. Vibration effects, sources, reason for studying vibration. Basic concepts of vibration. Simple harmonic motion. Vibration definitions. Vibration analysis procedure. Spring, mass and damping elements. Damping.
Free vibrations (un-damped and damped) of SDOF
Equations of motion for linear and angular un-damped vibrations. Equations of motion for linear and angular vibrations with viscous damping. Logarithmic Decrement.
Forced vibrations (un-damped and damped) of SDOF
Harmonic excitation of the mass. Harmonic excitation of the base. Rotating unbalance excitation of a system. Vibration standards: vibration severity for machines, structures and humans.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 60 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 40 |