Mechanics of solids (or indeed mechanics of materials or strength of materials) is the study of the behaviour of structural and machine members under the action of external loads (ignoring negligible body forces), considering the internal stresses created and the resulting deformations. A prior knowledge of "engineering mechanics - statics" is a starting point for this module. This is the first and introductory course to be studied by the appropriate engineering students under the broader subject of mechanics of solids. It concentrates on developing analysis techniques from basic principles for a range of practical problems, which includes simple structures, pressure vessels, beam and shafts. Analysis is directed towards determining the limiting loads which the member can withstand before failure of the material or excessive deformation occurs. The ability to solve problems can be gained through a combination of practical experience of particular problems and the systematic study of underlying principles. Although both are necessary for the practising engineer, the study of principles leads more rapidly to a genuine understanding and makes it possible to solve new problems not previously encountered. The Learning Outcomes will establish a basis for students' ability to understand, analyse and solve more complex design tasks throughout their subsequent modules and projects. To this end three basic but fundamental sets of relations can be obtained. Throughout the module it will be shown how these conditions are brought into play. It will not always be necessary to apply all the conditions, as simplified analysis may be suggested by symmetry or approximations. Conditions of Equilibrium. The external forces and reactions on a member (including inertia forces if necessary) must form a system in equilibrium and are therefore related by a certain number of equations, known as the conditions of equilibrium, depending on the configuration. Compatibility. Sometimes a number of relations can be obtained between the strains or deformations to ensure that the system derived from any assumptions made is compatible, i.e. the deformations can exist concurrently. Such conditions clearly arise where a number of parts must fit together, as in the analysis of compound bars, beams, and cylinders. Stress-Strain Relations. It will be shown that for a given material there are relations between the strains (i.e. deformation) in a member and the stresses (i.e. internal forces) producing them. These stresses and strains can be analysed by methods to be developed, and equations connecting them can be obtained. The number of such relations depends on the complication of the system. The establishment and definition of the above governing relationships will equip the students with the requisite knowledge to solve many engineering problems.

The students will study various theories of solid mechanics and appreciate the importance of stress analysis in the safe design of structures. Normal Stress & Strain, Shear Stress & Strain, uniaxial, biaxial and triaxial stress and strain fields; The Poisson effect in the deformation of engineering structural materials; Constitutive relations; Mechanical properties - Young's modulus, yield strength, proof strength, ultimate tensile strength, elastic and plastic strain, ductile versus brittle materials and the associated failure mechanisms, and post-failure analysis: fractography; Relationship between Elastic Constants; Hydrostatic stress and strain and dilatation; Thermal Stress & Strain, Compound Bar or mechanical systems of differing materials; Thin Pressure Vessels - hoop and axial stress and strain; Rotational Stresses; Centroids, 2nd Moments of Area; Shearing Forces and Bending Moments in Beams; Theory of Bending; Theory of Torsion in cylindrical sections and power transmission; Complex Stresses and Mohr's stress circle, Principal stresses; The students will perform mechanical tests on materials and structures in a laboratory environment, and use the collated data for the determination of fundamental material mechanical properties.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Define and compare the fundamental concepts of Normal Stress & Strain, Shear Stress & Strain, uniaxial, biaxial and triaxial stress and strain fields and thus calculate these mechanically induced phenomena and responses, including dilatation; conceptualise and apply the Poisson effect in a complex stress field, and within a wide variety of loadings such as thermal, pressurisation, torsional and bending conditions; 2. Define and apply important associated mechanical properties - Young's modulus, yield strength, proof strength, ultimate tensile strength in mechanical design calculations, and formulate a relationship between Elastic Constants; 3. Discuss and compare observations of elastic and plastic strain, classify ductile versus brittle materials and the associated failure mechanisms, fractography; 4. Locate Centroids of cross-sections; Calculate the second moments of area of various shaped beam cross-sections; and thus combine shear force and bending moment diagrams to evaluate bending stresses in straight, prismatic beams.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate their understanding of the importance of stress analysis in the ethical and safe design of structures and thus the "fail-safe" nature of structures.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Perform various mechanical tests to characterise the mechanical response of engineering materials to a variety of loading types.

The module's overarching rationale and syllabus will continue to build on the university's academic excellence in fostering an active, student-centred learning environment, building upon and developing practical, challenge-driven and enquiry/problem-based learning modes, which stimulate active, experiential and applied learning - by engaging in active classroom learning via working through practical examples and engaging in design discussions and by applying their newly learned theories to real world problems and engaging in the practical, hands-on laboratory exercises. In class demonstrations, using modern strain measurement technology, will allow students to appreciate the concepts of stress, strain and volumetric dilatation. Demonstration rigs designed, manufactured and commissioned by the module leader, allow the students to appreciate the evolution of strain in a structure, live in class. Online resources will be available through the VLE. Graduate attributes: The students will collaborate in groups, collating and analysing data from experiments, manipulating these data and determining experimentally derived mechanical properties of an engineering material, assessing the reliability of such derived values for properties, investigate and appreciate the failure modes of the samples under investigation and collaboratively coauthor a structured report on their findings and critically assess the results and experimental limitations - here we will allow the students to be forensically curious in their investigations and allowed latitude to be courageous in reporting their findings. The above activities will allow the students to articulate their reasoning and discuss their findings. The module will provide an opportunity to be ethical and responsible in their problem-solving abilities by assessing their designs and calculations - is their suggested solution sufficiently strong to withstand the required working conditions - can they determine and appreciate the Factors of Safety for their suggested solutions? Will they appreciate the differing failure modes of engineering materials. Can they learn and develop from past structural failures and tragic disasters - examples of such tragic events will be discussed openly.