FALL 2008 ME104Q LIFE'S STRUCTURES
mechanical design in nature
and in the technological world
date 
lect.#
lecture topics 
9/2/08 1 Intro.: course policy, requirements, grading, projects; example: design of Roman aqueduct (aqueduct vs. siphon)

9/4/08
2
 Discussion of project 1.

9/9/08
3
 The mechanical design process: determining forces through imposing equilibrium, strength verification, optimization. Dimensions and units: SI system, area, volume, speed, accel., force, pressure)
9/11/08
4
 Mechanical stress: definition, one and two dimensions. Newton's laws. Forces as vectors: graphical representation, components of vector.
9/16/08
5
 Algebra of vectors. Equilibrium of forces applied to a point. The equilibrium problem in analytical form : system of equations.  Moment of  a force.
9/18/08
6
 Review of static equilibrium. Moment of a force. Analytical solution of beam problems: simply supported. Free-Body Diagram (FBD) for the beam problem. Kynematic constraints and equivalent reactions.
9/23/08
7
 Moment of a force using components.  Analytical solution of beam problems: cantilever beam. Fully constrained support condition. Notion of a couple. Cantilever beam with applied forces and couples.
9/25/08
8
 Review of a couple as a component of support reactions and as an applied load. Statically indeterminate problem: cantilever beam with roller support. Statically indeterminate configurations: no unique equilibrium solution from rigid body statics; outline of solution based on assuming linear elastic deformations. Example problem: bar-rope structure: decomposition of forces using trigonometry.
9/30/08
9
 Discussion of Project 1.
10/2/08
10
 Bar vs beam: definitions, forces transmitted, structural differences. Example problems: bar-rope structure : decomposition of forces using trigonometry. Free-Body Diagram: arbitrary cut to separate internal and external forces, replace support conditions with equivalent unknown reactions, set up of equilibrium equations and solution process.
10/7/08
11
10/9/08
12
10/14/08
13
10/16/08
14
10/21/08
15
10/23/08
16
 EXAM #1 (evening exam, tme and place to be established)
10/28/08
17
10/30/08
18
11/4/08
19
11/6/08
20
11/11/08
21
11/13/08
22
11/18/08
23
11/20/08
24
11/25/08
25
12/2/08
26
12/4/08
27
12/9/08
28
12/11/08
29
EXAM #2

Renato Perucchio
 updated 2 october 2008 Go to top of this page

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