Section outline

  • Module Code: TRE1262

    Module Title: Mechanics of Materials

    Semester: 2 (2024-2025)

    Credits: 15 & Hours: 102

    Co-requisites: Physics for Engineers I & Mathematics for Engineers I

     

    Dear Class,

    Welcome everyone to TRE1262 Mechanics of Materials!

    My name is Philbert HABIMANA, I am an Assistant Lecturer in the department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatics Engineering (CEGE) delivering a couple of courses including the Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures I, Basics of Reinforced Concrete Design, Civil Engineering Drawing, Engineering Drawing & CAD, Engineering Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Mechanics of Materials, Construction Materials & Technology, Structural Analysis I & II, and Concrete Technology among others.

     

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION 

    Mechanics of Materials is one of key courses in different engineering fields such as civil engineering and mechanical engineering.

    The course aims to develop an understanding of forces systems (including the application of forces on both rigid and deformable bodies and their effects), equilibrium of particles and bodies, truss analysis, mechanical properties of materials, behaviour of different types of materials and geometrical properties of sections.

    It introduces stress and strain characteristics and their application in engineering field. In Laboratory, tests, particularly, of tension, compression, shear, etc. are performed to strengthen   the theory on mechanical properties of some materials and its behaviour.

    Later on, the knowledge gained through this course might help you in selection of materials (i.e. its nature, its size, its geometry, etc.) that might be used in any civil engineering field especially transportation engineering.

    Mechanics of Materials is a module offered to Year 1 Undergraduate Students in the department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatics Engineering (CEGE) – Transportation Engineering Option (Nyarugenge Campus). This is a 15 credits course and supposed to be delivered twice a week with a total of 102 contact hours.

    The Module intends to develop in the student an ability to understand principles of Mechanics of Materials and instrumental techniques for the practical issues of every life within the engineering field.

    • The course aims to provide the basics of Mechanics of Materials as applied to Engineering practice.
    • The Mechanics of Materials course delivered here combines the essential of both Engineering Mechanics (Statics & Dynamics) and Strength of Materials previously delivered in the old Civil Engineering program. Therefore, both rigid and deformable bodies are studied taking into account all necessary details. 
    • This course has three major parts: Statics, dynamics and strength of materials.
    1. The statics part covers the following topics: Force systems in 1D, 2D & 3D, equilibrium of a particle and equilibrium of a force in 1D, 2D & 3D, truss analysis (both methods of joints & sections), properties of areas (centroid or centre of gravity, first/statical moment of area, second moment of area or moment of inertia, section modulus and radius of gyration), and friction.
    2. The dynamics part covers the following topics: Rectilinear and curvilinear motions (in kinematics), equation of motion, angular momentum, work and energy, and impulse and momentum (in kinetics).
    3. The strength of materials part covers the following topics: Mechanical properties of materials, simple stresses and strains, elastic constants, strain energy, geometrical properties of sections, compound stresses and strains, shear force and bending moment, bending stresses in beams, combined direct and bending stresses, deflection of beams, and torsion.
    • This course is the pre-requisite for other important courses in any engineering field and particularly in transportation engineering.

     

    Key units to be covered include:

    1. Statics _ Force systems, equilibrium of a particle and plan truss analysis, properties of areas, and friction.
    2. Dynamics _ Kinematics and kinetics
    3. Properties of materials, simple stresses and strains, and strain energy
    4. Compound stresses and strains
    5. Equilibrium of beams-Shear force (SF), bending moment (BM), bending and shear stresses, combined direct and bending stresses, deflection, and torsion in members

     

    LEARNING OUTCOMES  

    1. Describe the basic concepts of Mechanics of Materials.
    2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Engineering Mechanics (statics and dynamics of rigid bodies subjected to a force under various conditions) and its importance in engineering field.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Strength of Materials (stress-strain relationship, behaviour of materials (both rigid and deformable) subjected to various exposure conditions and selection of materials (both rigid and deformable) for a particular service based on its characteristics) and its importance in engineering field.
    4. Apply data to the solution of Mechanics of Materials problems, undertake self-learning in Mechanics of Materials and be able to produce simple written reports of some tasks.

     

     

    Instructor: Ir. Philbert HABIMANA

                       Room: 1R11  in Einstein Block (Former KIST 2 Building)

                       Email: phabimana@ur.ac.rw/titiriva10@gmail.com