ME 570: Experimental Mechanics

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ME 570 - Experimental Mechanics

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Catalog Description

570 Experimental Mechanics. (Crosslisted with EMA 570.) I; 3cr. Experimental methods for design and analysis of mechanical components, structures and materials. Electrically and optically recorded stress, strain and deformation data; computer aquisition/reduction/presentat techniques; applications to static and transient events, sensors, transducer design, NDT, fracture and residual stresses. P:ME 306 or EMA 214 or 303 or 304 or cons inst.

Course Prerequisite(s)

See catalog description above.

Prerequisite knowledge and/or skills

Students should have a strong background in basic solid mechanics or mechanics of materials.
An elementary knowledge of electrical circuits and basic electronics will be useful.
Computer skills should include the use of spreadsheets, word processors and presentation graphics.
Some knowledge of laboratory practices and procedures would be an advantage.

Textbook(s) and/or other required material

Experimental Stress Analysis by J.W. Dally & W.F. Riley (3rd Edition)
Elementary Text in Mechanics of Materials

Course objectives

This course shall develop a student's knowledge of experimental techniques and measurement systems for the characterization of the response of mechanical components, structures and materials.
This course will develop students' abilities to work in groups in the formulation of analytical models, configuration of measurement systems, interpretation of experimental and theoretical results, and concise presentation of conclusions in an oral and written manner.
This course will introduce students to the use of digital data acquisition systems, computer aided data reduction and display, and the use of commercial software packages for component modeling and data analysis.

Topics covered

Statistical Characterization of Experimental Data.
Displacement Measurement, Sensors and Signal Conditioning.
Strain Measurement using Electrical Resistance Strain Gages.
Strain Gage Circuits, Signal Conditioning and Measurement Interpretation.
Digital Data Acquisition Systems and Characteristics.
Transducer design, calibration and applications.
Dynamic Measurements.
Brittle Coating Applications to Strain Measurements.
Theory and Application of Photoelasticity.
Moire' Methods of Surface Displacement & Strain Measurements.

Class/laboratory schedule

The number and type of course meeting sessions varies with the topics being covered and the experimental activities which are being conducted.
Typically there are two course sessions a week for 75 minutes each. However, as the experimental activities and group efforts progress there are additional meetings setup by the groups to pursue the work necessary to complete their projects.

Contribution of course to meeting the professional component

This course contributes primarily to the students' knowledge of college-level mathematics and/or basic sciences and does provide experimental experience.

The following statement indicates which of the following considerations are included in this course: economic, environmental, ethical, political, societal, health and safety, manufacturability, sustainability.

One of the primary objectives of this course will be to investigate the reliability of economic component design through the use of theoretical and experimental analysis. In conducting laboratory exercises health and safe use of testing and measurement equipment is emphasized. Students are encouraged to seek out, analyze, and impliment best practices in a physical testing situation.

Relationship of course to undergraduate degree program objectives and outcomes

This course serves students in a variety of engineering majors. The information below describes how the course contributes to the college's educational objectives.

The intent of this course is to provide a hands on experimental experience for students. This experience includes the design of experiments, analysis of data, and application of basic engineering knowledge. Students must convey their learning and understanding of engineering investigations through the use of computer assisted oral presentations of their experimental projects. Almost all assignments in this course are group activities which require the students to work effectively within their groups, contribute leadership, and produce a comprehensive/coherent written and oral description of their results.

Assessment of student progress toward course objectives

There are written reports and some graded individual assignments in this course. The primary mode of assessment is a subjective evaluation by the instructor and all students within the course of the oral presentations prepared and presented by the student working within a group, on a specific project. Each student will work with at least four different groups during the semester, and present the results as a group effort with a written report and oral presentation. Students, and the instructor, define from the presentation, what the group did well, what improvements could have been made, and the overall quality of the work and presentation.

Copyright 2007 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System
Date last modified: 03-Aug-2007
Content by: deptinfo@me.engr.wisc.edu
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