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MEEN10030

Academic Year 2024/2025

Mechanics for Engineers (MEEN10030)

Subject:
Mechanical Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Mechanical & Materials Eng
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Michael Gilchrist
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is an introductory mechanics module designed for engineering students based on the simple applications of Newton's laws. The module provides a fundamental foundation for students who will subsequently study more advanced topics including applied dynamics, mechanics of solids & structures, and mechanics of fluids. Topics studied in detail are related to 2D and 3D Statics, Friction, and Kinematics of a Particle and of a Rigid Body (1D and 2D). The particular topics include the following: (1) Statics: Scalars and vectors; (2) Newton's laws and Law of gravitation; (3) Forces; (4) Free body diagrams; (5) 2D and 3D force systems; (6) Equilibrium in 2D; (7) Equilibrium in 3D; (8) Distributed forces, centres of mass and centroids; (9) Friction; (10) Kinematics in 1D and 2D: Position, velocity and acceleration; (11) Motion in rectilinear and curvilinear coordinate systems; (12) Trusses and cables.

All laboratory activities are carried out with due regard to the School's Health and Safety protocols. Students should follow these during all laboratory activities, including wearing a laboratory coat, and relevant PPE when required. Further information is available at https://intranet.ucd.ie/smme/index.html. The laboratory activity of this module will require students to work together in teams and will be based on two selected topics from:
o Resultant of static forces and equilibrium of forces;
o Friction on an inclined plane;
o Compression and tension in trusses;
o Rectilinear motion: velocity and acceleration

Team Assignment: Teams of students will work together in a concentrated period (3 weeks) on a design & make challenge that relates to various topics covered in lectures in order to enhance their learning opportunities and to develop their engineering skills. They will be required to communicate the results of their efforts through a physical demonstration which is accompanied by a written report, and an optional video presentation.

Recommended Text (either of the following are suitable, as per student's choice):
o Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics & Dynamics, Beer & Johnston, McGraw Hill.
o Engineering Mechanics: Statics & Dynamics, Hibbeler, Prentice Hall.
o Engineering Mechanics: Statics & Dynamics, Meriam & Kraige, Wiley.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:
1. Visualise physical configurations and thereby construct simplified three-dimensional sketches and meaningful mathematical models in terms of real materials, actual constraints and the practical limitations which govern the behaviour of machines and structures.
2. Explain concepts of statics and kinematics.
3. Use Newton's laws to express and solve problems in the mechanics of solids and fluids in mathematical terms.
4. Analyse and interpret laboratory measurements of mechanics experiments.
5. Demonstrate an awareness of safe laboratory practice in the use of a range of laboratory equipment.
6. Work effectively as a member of a team/group in the collection, analysis, presentation and reporting of engineering information, while adhering to standard conventions for technical reporting but using diverse forms of communication.

Indicative Module Content:

(1) Statics: Scalars and vectors
(2) Newton's laws and Law of gravitation
(3) Forces
(4) Free body diagrams
(5) 2D and 3D force systems
(6) Equilibrium in 2D
(7) Equilibrium in 3D
(8) Distributed forces, centres of mass and centroids
(9) Friction
(10) Kinematics in 1D and 2D: Position, velocity and acceleration
(11) Motion in rectilinear and curvilinear coordinate systems
(12) Trusses and cables

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36
Tutorial

5
Practical

12
Laboratories

6
Autonomous Student Learning

66
Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
(1) Lectures with in-class MCQ assessments and end of trimester examination (assessed)
(2) Task-based learning in the form of two laboratory sessions (assessed)
(3) Problem-based learning in the form of a group assignment (assessed)
(4) Case-based learning in the form of on-line and timetabled tutorials (not assessed)

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
BSEN20010 - Engineering & Surveying, MEEN1008W - Mechanics for Engineers


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered

Not yet recorded.

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

A series of occasional in-class MCQ tests throughout the trimester, are designed to mirror course material and allow students to have individual formative feedback on their understanding of topics that have been taught during lectures. Timetabled tutorial sessions will complement a comprehensive set of online tutorials. The timetabled tutorial sessions provide students with direct opportunities to receive formative feedback on their understanding of course material during the trimester through them solving homework questions. The UCD Maths Drop-in Centre also provides support to students in respect of this module.

Vector Mechanics for Engineers (Statics and Dynamics) by Beer & Johnson (McGraw Hill)

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Thurs 17:00 - 17:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 20, 22, 24, 26, 30, 32 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 29 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 2 Week(s) - 22, 26 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 3 Week(s) - 23, 32 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 4 Week(s) - 24, 30 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 5 Week(s) - 25, 31 Tues 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 6 Week(s) - 21, 26 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 7 Week(s) - 23, 29 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 8 Week(s) - 24, 32 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 9 Week(s) - 25, 31 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 10 Week(s) - 21, 29 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 11 Week(s) - 22, 30 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 12 Week(s) - 24, 26 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 13 Week(s) - 23, 31 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Laboratory Offering 14 Week(s) - 25, 33 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
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