Elements of behaviour of mechanisms and machines. Kinematics of solid bodies and systems of bodies (mechanisms and gears). Simple cases of kinetics of solid bodies. Applications, including linkages, gear trains, clutches, mechanical power transmission, robotics.
This subject develops the concepts of dynamics by extension to principles and practice relevant to machines and mechanisms. By integration of basic theory and engineering applications, students learn the elements of important engineering hardware and how to analyse their dynamic behaviour. This subject aims to give students of all fields of engineering and science an understanding of the significance of motion in systems with mechanical components. The course aims to provide a basic knowledge of dynamics which will provide a foundation for later study in a diverse range of engineering subjects dealing with fluid mechanics, vibration and acoustics, theory of machines, structural dynamics, and control systems.
Beer, F. P. and Johnston, E. R. (1990) Vector Mechanics for Engineers - Dynamics, Second SI Metric Edition. McGraw-Hill, Singapore. (This book is available at the university bookshop.)
The book starts with Chapter 11 as it is the second volume of a two volume set. The first part of Chapter 11 (Rectilinear motion of particles) will be assumed known.
Buying the book is a good investment as most of the examples and exercises will be taken from it. Also, it will be used in the ME111 Engineering Mathematics subject.
In tutorial sessions students can apply the techniques, presented in the lectures, to solve problems under the guidance of tutors. At these sessions students are also encouraged to discuss any questions which arise from the lectures and practical sessions. It is important that students take advantage of the scheduled tutorial sessions to ensure that the material being covered in lectures is well understood.
During the semester between 7 and 9 tutorial assignments will be set during the lectures and must be submitted to your tutor during the specified tutorial session. Click here to see the currrent list of assignments and the submission dates.
These assignments are to be done individually. The assignments will not carry any marks towards the final grade but will be marked by your tutor and will be returned to you. Thus they will provide valuable feedback on your progress in the subject. The assignment results may be considered in cases where students are on the border-line between two grades for the subject.
A few weeks after questions have been set in the lectures, sets of worked solutions will be placed in the Kept At Desk (KAD) collestion in the Physical Sciences and Engineering Library.
Each student will attend two practical sessions throughout the semester. No exemptions will be granted for previously completed work. These sessions will be on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm in Room 50-S406. For details of when the sessions will be held for your group, refer to the Roster for Laboratory Work on the back of the First Year Bachelor of Engineering Timetable. If you have difficulty attending your scheduled session because of committments in another subject, please see Dr. Jacobs at least 2 weeks before your scheduled session to arrange attendance at an alternative session.
During lectures, Dr. Jacobs will go through the theory and procedures for the experiments, before you do them. To ensure the safety of everybody at the practical sessions, it is important that you follow any directions given to you by the tutor in charge.
At the end of a practical session each group should present their results to the tutor. In addition, each person should submit a question sheet. The question sheet will be checked and signed by the tutor and will be retained by the tutor as a record of your satisfactory completion of the experimental tasks. If the tutor considers that your work is not satisfactory, you should complete the experiment and/or answer questions under the direction of the tutor.
Students should check the First Year Noticeboard regularly for updated information concerning the administrative details of this subject. The first Year Notice board is opposite the Faculty Office, near the door to Room 50-S204 (Office of the Executive Dean).
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Last updated 25 February 1998