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Introduction of Emerging Technologies in Mechanics of Materials

Abstract

Though technologies have advanced dramatically in the last century and Mechanics of Materials(MoM) has found more applications in many new technologies, the MoM curriculum has been fixed for decades. This paper presents our efforts in keeping MOM curriculum current with the times by incorporating examples from emerging technologies and everyday life.

To fill the gap between the real life and idealized model problems, which were usually well set-up using simple symbols representing load conditions and the objects under study, we added the teaching of modeling process through many examples as they appear in the real world. Students learn how to grasp the fundamental aspects of real problems, make reasonable assumptions, and reduce these examples into solvable mechanics problems. Because residual stress is a pervasive issue in Very Large Scale Integrated Circuits, which are usually composite structures, we expanded the teaching of thermal stresses and included examples such as thermal stresses in composite rods, thin films, solder joints in printing circuit boards, and bi-metallic strips. To increase student awareness of the application of MoM in emerging technologies, several examples of beams in Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) were analyzed and illustrated.

Besides content update, we also made some changes in teaching methods. Since the course has no laboratory component, we adopted four simple home experiments to enhance the understanding of basic concepts. In the classroom we demonstrate beam bending, column buckling, and torsion of a tube etc. Also, some time was allocated for students to solve problems after the instructor had solved a similar one. With help from the instructor and their peers, students can identify their deficiencies, clear some misconceptions and grasp the content more effectively.

From surveys conducted for the course and instructor evaluation, student feedback appears to be very positive.

Introduction

Mechanics of Materials (MoM) is the first course in solid mechanics, which covers stress, deformation and strength of simple shaped members, and their applications. Topics include concepts of stress and strain, uni-axial loading, torsion, beam bending, column buckling and stress/strain transformation, etc. As a mandatory course, it has far reaching effects in students’ future learning and career development.

Since the introduction of Timoshenko’s book, [1] Strength of Materials, the subject has become so well defined that the content and coverage of the course have been almost

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Yu, H., & Delale, F. (2006, June), Introduction Of Emerging Technologies In Mechanics Of Materials Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--947