UNION COLLEGE

Mechanical Engineering Department

Spring 2018

Strength of Materials

MER-214

Lectures: TTH 10:55AM-12:40PM, Lippman 012. Labs TTH 1:50-4:40 PM, Butterfield 206 (Prof. Ramasubramanian). Click HERE for class presentations and lab tests.

Register Description:  A branch of applied mechanics that deals with the behavior of solid bodies subjected to various types of loading.  The solid bodies considered in this course include axially-loaded members, shafts in torsion, thin shells, beams, columns and structures that are assemblies of these components.  Strength of materials analysis determines the stresses, strains and displacements produced by the loads.  Includes a laboratory component.  Prerequisite: MER 201.  Corequisite:  MER 214L.

Required Text:  Beer FP, Johnston ER Jr, DeWolf JT, Mazurek DF. Mechanics of materials. 7e. McGraw Hill, 2015.

Homework:  Homework (HW) problems have been suggested according to the schedules provided in this syllabus but will not be collected.  Solutions will be available for all problems.  Exam problems will be very much like these problems.  The most successful students will work as many additional problems in the text as possible.

Exams:  Three exams will be administered, two during lab periods and one during the final exam period.  The final exam will be comprehensive.  One single sided formula sheet prepared by each student will be allowed for each exam.

Laboratories:  Several laboratories will be conducted; details for each will be provided.  Attendance is mandatory for any credit on laboratory assignments.  The laboratory component of this class provides students with the opportunity to design experiments (DE), conduct experiments (CE) and analyze and interpret data (AID), as noted for each lab in the schedule portion of this syllabus.

Finite Element Project:  Teams of students will analyze a simple structure using analytical and finite element methods.  Further details will be provided.

Office Hours: T 3:30-5:00 & TH 2:00 - 4:00 PM, or by appointment. Students can see me whenever I am free.

Grades:  Course grades will be determined from: 25% each term exam, 25% final exam, and 25% laboratories including project, and this scale:

All grading must be contested prior to the beginning of the lecture period following the period at which the original assignment was returned.  Contestations must be accompanied by a written explanation of how your work was incorrectly penalized.

Learning Objectives:  Satisfactory completion of this course should demonstrate that students have:

• the ability to identify and formulate elementary level engineering problems related to strength of materials in the conceptual form as well as in terms of mathematical and physical models

• the ability to apply the basic principles of strength of materials to the analysis of solid bodies subjected to various types of loading

• the ability to understand and effectively communicate the fundamentals of strength of materials and to articulate the basics concepts

• the ability to effectively generalize the basic axioms of strength of materials analysis and to extrapolate those concepts to engineering structures not necessarily covered specifically in the course presented

Relationship of Course to ABET Program Outcomes:  Upon successful completion of this course, students will have:

• an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering

• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

• an ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability

• an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems

• an ability to communicate effectively

• a recognition of the need for and ability to engage in life-long learning

• knowledge of contemporary issues

• an ability to use techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Attendance & Punctuality:  Each student will be responsible for knowledge of all scheduling changes and announcements made in class.  Without exception, no prior, late, or makeup homework, laboratory, exam or any other assignment will be administered, accepted or allowed without a College approved excuse.

Recording:  No audio, photographic or video recording may be made in class or in the office of the professor without the expressed consent of the professor.

Classroom Decorum:  Consider the classroom as our place of business (that is not to say that we won't have a laugh nor have fun).  Arrive in time so that you are prepared to work when the class period begins.  Do not begin packing to leave until class is dismissed.  Food is not allowed in the classrooms.  Refrain from rising and leaving during class for a break unless it is absolutely necessary.  You have completed your exam if you leave the room during the exam.

Department Statement on Academic Honesty:  The highest levels of ethical behavior are required of those in the profession of engineering and, by extension, of those preparing themselves to enter the profession.  Furthermore, ethical behavior, especially in the area of academic honesty, is critically important to the entire educational and academic mission of the College.  Therefore the Mechanical Engineering Department takes matters of academic dishonesty and cheating very seriously.

To foster and enforce the highest standards of academic honesty, the Mechanical Engineering Department fully supports Union's Honor Code and Honor Council.  Specifically, Union's academic Honor Code requires that "Any suspected violations of the Honor Code must be reported ..."  All Mechanical Engineering faculty will strictly adhere to this guidance.  Any suspected violations of the Honor Code will be reported.  The Honor Code further states:  "Normally, for a first violation of the Honor Code, a student would fail the course."  Because of the importance of honesty and ethics in engineering, the Mechanical Engineering Department understands and supports the significant penalties outlined in the Honor Code for academic misconduct.

Further information on Union's Honor Code can be found here:  honorcode.union.edu.

Remember, it is the responsibility of each student to understand and comply with instructions for what sorts of study aids, references, outside resources and/or collaborations are allowed and disallowed for each assignment in each course.  Ignorance of what is disallowed is not a defense.

Honor Code Affirmation:  "As a student at Union College, I am part of a community that values intellectual effort, curiosity and discovery.  I understand that in order to truly claim my educational and academic achievements, I am obligated to act with academic integrity.  Therefore, I affirm that I will carry out my academic endeavors with full academic honesty, and I rely on my fellow students to do the same."  This Affirmation is implicitly in effect for every academic endeavor of each student regardless if signed or not.

Students With Disabilities:  Contact the Office of Student Support Services for appropriate documentation to present to your professor should you require reasonable accommodations for your disability.  It is your responsibility to arrange for any accommodations in a timely manner.

COURSE SYLLABUS

SUGGESTED HOMEWORK PROBLEMS

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