Section outline

  • This unit focuses on types of loading, types of beams, shear force (SF) and bending moment (BM) diagrams, sign convention for shear force and bending moment, important points for drawing shear force (SF) and bending moment (BM) diagrams, methods for constructing the shear force and bending moment diagrams, shear force (SF) and bending moment (BM) diagrams for various types of beams with different loading conditions, and relationships between load, shear force, and bending moment.

    It introduces you to bending stresses, theory of simple bending with assumptions made, theory of simple bending, expression of bending stress, moment of resistance, bending stress in symmetrical sections, section modulus, bending stresses in unsymmetrical sections, shear stresses and shear stress formula.

    Introduction to combined stresses, resultant stress when a column of rectangular section is subjected to an eccentric load, stress distribution due to the position of the applied load, and resultant stress when a column of rectangular section is subjected to a load which is eccentric on both axes

    Introduction to defection and slope, relationships between loading, shear force, bending moment, slope and deflection of beam, methods for deflection of beams and formulae for slope and deflection of beams.

    Introduction to torsion, pure torsion, polar moment of inertia, torsion rigidity, power transmitted by a shaft, and composite shafts.

     

    It is essential to the understanding on how loading and both longitudinal and lateral dimensions of any structural elements influence its behaviour.

    The knowledge gain through this unit may serves a base to understand other future courses such as Theory of Structures, Introduction to Finite Elements, Bridge Engineering, etc.

     

    ILOs:

    At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

    1. Describe the behaviour of structural elements such as beams considering

        loads and other factors

    2. Understand all steps involved in determining shear force (SF), bending

        moment (BM), bending and shear stresses, deflection, and torsion and their respective

        effects on structural elements/members

    3. Establish differences between bending moment (BM) and deflection

    4. Apply data to the solution of Mechanics of Materials problems

     

    Learning resources

    1. Read carefully the attached lecture notes

    2. Read the relevant parts of various reference books attached on this course

    3. Re-do yourself various solved examples available in the attached lecture notes

    4. Solve different relevant tutorials attached on this course

    • Lecture 15 - 19 Folder
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • Home assignment 2
      Students must
      Mark as done

      Instructions:

       1. You should work in small groups of students, and please do not exceed the maximum number of 7 students          for each group.

      2. The report should be simple, concise and clean.

      3. Present your work in a legible writing and organized format.

      4. Submit the soft copies at UR E-learning platform by 10:59 AM on 05/05/2025.

      5. Under no circumstances a late submission can be accepted.

      6. Submit the hard copies by 10:59 AM in class (Muhazi – 0R05).