MSE 25000 Physical Properties in Engineering Systems

Credits and Contact Hours: 3 credits. Weekly Schedule for 15 weeks: three 50 minute lectures.

Instructors or Course Coordinators: Rodney Trice, Anter El-Azab.

Textbook: Distributed Power point notes. Optional texts: R.C. Hibbeler, Engineering Mechanics: Statics, multiple editions; Beer and Johnson, Mechanics of Materials, multiple editions.

Specific Course Information

  1. Catalog Description: Class connects math, science and engineering practice and applications. Presents foundational aspects of engineering problem solving, use of computer math tools for engineering problem solving, basic engineering statics, dynamics and mechanics, introduction to stress tensors, group problem solving approaches, and introductory aspects of design and materials selection.
  2. Prerequisites: PHYS 17200, Corequisites: MSE 23000, MA 26500 (or MA 26200)
  3. Course Status: MSE 25000 is a required course.

Specific Goals for the Course

1. All Students


A. Construct free body diagrams for static loading that include both forces and moments.

B. Be able to mathematically write and solve simple mathematical relationships that pertain to a physical situation including:

  • Be able to write force and moment vectors and manipulate them.
  • Be able to write force reactions in x, y, and z directions and solve them simultaneously.
  • Perform 2-D force rotations to a new coordinate axis.
  • Calculate bending, torsional, transverse shear, and tension stresses and deflections for a variety of loading conditions.
  • Determine if a material, with a known yield strength, will yield given the principal stresses.

C. Be able to interpret the effects of loading on a beam including:

  • Draw the shear and moment diagrams for a loaded beam.
  • Be able to draw the shear and moment diagrams for 3 and 4 point flexure and discuss differences during mechanical testing.

2. Most Students


A. Be able to design a component that is part of a larger system including:

  • Be able evaluate which type of stress (bearing, shear, bending, tension) will cause failure for a member subject to stresses from forces and moments.
  • Design the cross-section of a beam to meet certain design criteria.

B. Be able to analyze a complex loading state including:

  • Being able to identify which stresses act on an element.
  • Be able to construct a 3-dimensional element and correctly place the stresses on it.
  • Be able to write the stress tensor for a complex loading state.
  • Be able to write the rotation matrix for a stress tensor to solve for principal stresses.

Relation of Course to Student Outcomes:

(MSE-1, ABET-1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex materials engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

Topics Covered: Stress and Strain in 1d, 2d, and 3d, stress and strain tensors, tensor differentiation, rotation of tensors, Statics including: free body diagrams, Bending stresses, Beams with simple, cantilevered and distributed loadings, shear and moment diagrams for beams, bending and shear stresses in beams as a function of cross-section, position in the beam, and position through the beam thickness. Brittle and ductile failure, Torque, torsional strain and displacement, elastic modulus and stress-strain behavior, Thin-walled pressure vessels.