Study information

Basic Mechanics - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEBasic Mechanics CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENG1202DA MODULE CONVENERUnknown
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 0 1 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 25
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
Without the careful measurement of static and hydrostatic forces, structures like the Hoover Dam or the Tamar bridge could not have been built. This examination of the static behaviour of solids and fluids, which underpins much of civil engineering and mechanical engineering design, is just one of the key areas you will explore on this module. 
 
You will encounter fluid and solid static equations and principles, including tension and compression.  You will learn how to determine the forces, pressures and deformations in fluid scenarios and solid structures.  In a hands-on laboratory session, you will measure the force generated by a water jet, hitting different surfaces, and then illustrate your results in diagrams. 
 
On completing this module, you will be familiar with the basics of fluid and solid principles. The knowledge and skills learnt will be applied to practical problems, such as determining the loading capacity of bridges, power-transmission shafts in cars, and turbines, a floating pontoon, planning for bridges, buildings, mixing fluids in chemical plants, designing transportation systems of fluids, and detecting the flaws or failures in fluid systems. You will have an excellent foundation in critical measurement techniques and be proficient in using a hydraulic bench, in this case, equipped with a pump and simple system to measure flow rate.
 
Prerequisite module: ECM1200 Core Engineering or equivalent
 
AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to introduce you to fundamental concepts of solid mechanics and fluid mechanics, separated into two sections. For solid mechanics this includes stress/strain relationships, axial members, torsion and beams. For fluid mechanics this covers fluid properties, hydrostatic pressures, buoyancy and stability, continuity, momentum, energy equations, and applications to engineering problems.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

Discipline and Module Intended Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1 learn the basic theory and concepts behind statics and hydrostatics; the behaviour of static solid and fluid systems

2 apply the principles of statics and dynamics to the analysis of simple mechanical and fluid systems             

3 become familiar with units and magnitudes used in statics and hydrostatics

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

4 understand the importance and application of statics and hydrostatics to engineering projects

5 become familiar with the mathematical and analytical concepts required for statics and hydrostatics

6 record and interpret the results of observed practical experiments and demonstrations

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

7 write clear accounts (of laboratory experiments and demonstrations)

8 carry out directed private study using textbooks, and other provided resources

9 demonstrate an awareness of health and safety issues applicable to working in a supervised laboratory

10 develop the ability for self-study and monitoring

11 provide constructive feedback to teaching staff

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
Solid mechanics: 
• Stress concept
o Mohr Circle
• Axial members
o Stress and Strain
o Stress and deformation
• Torsion
o Stress and deformation
• Beam
o Shear Force, Bending Moment 
 
Fluid mechanics: 
• Hydrostatics
o Fluid Definitions, Types, and Basic Properties
o Definition and Conversion between Pressure and Head
o Static Forces on Fully Submerged and Semi-submerged Surfaces
o Buoyancy and Stability
• Fluid Dynamics
o Flow Behaviours and Reynolds Number
o Continuity of Flow and Flow in Pipe
o Momentum Equation and its Applications
o Jet Flow Experiment and Analysis
o Energy Equation and its Applications
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 50 Guided Independent Study 40 Placement / Study Abroad 60
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 24 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 24 Tutorials
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 2 Laboratories
Guided independent study 40 Guided Independent Study
Placement 60 Learning at work

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 50 Written Exams 50 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Examination 50 2 hours 1-11 Students can request feedback after exam
Coursework 1 Solid Mechanics 25 2 hours 1-11 Feedback through Bart 
Coursework 2 Fluid Mechanics 25 2 hours 1-11 Feedback through Bart

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Examination Examination  1-11 Referral /deferral period
Coursework 1 Solid Mechanics Coursework 1-11 Referral /deferral period
Coursework 2 Fluid Mechanics Coursework 1-11 Referral /deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

 

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment.. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%.

If the Deferral or Referral relates to 

Examination – A similar Examination which assesses the same Intended Learning outcomes would be set

Coursework 1: A similar coursework which assesses the same Intended Learning Outcomes would be set.

Coursework 2: This is a practical exercise which would not be practical to repeat. Therefore, a coursework that assesses the same learning outcomes would be set.

 

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

 

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

 

Other Resources:

 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Beer, F. P. Mechanics of Materials McGraw-Hill Education 2015 9780073398235
Set Douglas, J.F., Gasiorek, J.M., Swaffield, J.A. Fluid Mechanics 6th Pearson/Prentice Hall 2011 10: 0273717723
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 4 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10th July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 4th October 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Solid mechanics; beam theory; fluid mechanics; incomprehensible flow.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.