Description
The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the essential mechanical principles associated with engineering applications.
Topics included in this unit are: behavioural characteristics of static, dynamic and oscillating engineering systems including shear forces, bending moments, torsion, linear and angular acceleration, conservation of energy and vibrating systems; and the movement and transfer of energy by considering parameters of mechanical power transmission systems.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to explain the underlying principles, requirements and limitations of mechanical systems
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Identify solutions to problems within static mechanical systems.
Shafts and beams:
The effect of shear forces on beams
Bending moments and stress due to bending in beams
Selection of appropriate beams and columns to satisfy given specifications
The theory of torsion in solid and hollow circular shafts
2. Illustrate the effects that constraints have on the performance of a dynamic mechanical system.
Energy and work:
The principle of conservation of energy and work-energy transfer in systems
Linear and angular velocity and acceleration
Velocity and acceleration diagrams of planar mechanisms
Gyroscopic motion
3. Investigate elements of simple mechanical power transmission systems.
Simple systems:
Parameters of simple and compounded geared systems
Efficiency of lead screws and screw jacks
Couplings and energy storage:
Universal couplings and conditions for constant-velocity
Importance of energy storage elements and their applications
4. Analyse natural and damped vibrations within translational and rotational mass spring systems.
Types of motion:
Simple harmonic motion
Natural frequency of vibration in mass-spring systems
Damped systems:
Frequency of damped vibrations in mass-spring-damper systems
The conditions for an external force to produce resonance