Programme And Module Handbook
 
Course Details in 2023/24 Session


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Module Title LC Engineering Materials
SchoolSchool of Engineering
Department Civil Engineering
Module Code 04 38089
Module Lead Dr Edward Tarte
Level Certificate Level
Credits 10
Semester Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions None
Contact Hours Lecture-22 hours
Tutorial-3 hours
Practical Classes and workshops-15 hours
Guided independent study-60 hours
Total: 100 hours
Exclusions
Description The aim of the module is to introduce the range of materials and their key properties used in engineering in order to allow them to select the appropriate materials for a given application. The module also introduces fundamental science that determines the electrical or mechanical properties of materials, such as atomic / molecular structures. In addition students will also be introduced to software which will allow them to model the properties and behaviour of engineering materials and analyse the results of experiments.

Syllabus: Lecture material

1. Introduction

a) Classification of materials into key groups based on chemistry and structure on different levels: metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, glasses and liquids

b) Identification of key physical properties affecting materials selection: Elasticity, deformation, failure and conductivity.

2. Basic Science:

a) Simple mechanics

i. Newton's laws, Work done, Kinetic and potential energy

ii. Elasticity and Hooke's law

b) Simple electrostatics

i. Definitions of electric field, electrostatic potential and forces

ii. Visualisation of electric fields using electric field lines.

iii. Gauss's flux law

iv. Electric field within a parallel plate capacitor

3. Atomic structure and material properties

a) Atomic orbitals and types of bonding

b) Structure of engineering materials, packing in metals and ceramics, molecular chains in polymers)

c) Insulators, semiconductors, metals

d) Bonding and Hooke's law

4. Deformation and mechanical failure

a) Tensile testing and hardness measurement

i. Methods

ii. Yield point and peak stress

iii. Ductile tearing versus brittle fracture

b) Young's modulus and stiffness

c) Hardness, plastic deformation and dislocations

i. Dislocations and slip

ii. Force on dislocation due to shear stress and dislocation energy

iii. Dislocation pinning and precipitate hardening

d) Toughness and fracture

i. Toughness and strain energy release rate

ii. Crack growth and critical length.

5. Conductivity and currents

a) Motion of charges in an electric field

b) Motion in vacuum

c) Motion in a solid

d) Mobility

e) Definition of current and current density

f) Sign conventions

g) Resistivity and conductivity

h) Ohm's law in microscopic and macroscopic form

6. Definition and measurement of whole life issues

a) Fatigue

b) Work hardening

Syllabus: Computer based exercised

Introduction to data analysis using mathematical computing software.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • ꮧExplain using mathematical arguments how the macroscopic properties of materials are determined by their microscopic and atomic structure and by physical laws
  • Choose suitable materials for a well-defined engineering application where components have simple geometries.
  • Use technical computing software in order to model the properties and behaviour of engineering materials and analyse the results of experiments.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Assessment:

Assessments: 1hr Centrally Timetabled Written Unseen Exam 60% and Coursework 40%

Reassessment:

Other
Reading List