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Department of Mechanical Engineering
Student Study Guide (Semester 1, 2021)
Subject: Strength of Materials 111 (STOM 201, SOMA 201, STRE138/331)
Lecture periods per week: Theory 2, Tutorial 1, Laboratory 1.
(Tutorial and Lecture periods will be used for additional Laboratory periods if required).
Recommended Text Book: Strength of Materials for Technicians, 4th edition by Jan Drotsky; Students are advised to
research other appropriate text books in the library. (Students should carefully work through all
the worked examples in the relevant sections in the text book).
The Strength of Materials 111 course builds on the foundation set in S2, simple frame structures are expanded to basic 3 member
space frames, the material testing section introduces Fatigue and Fatigue failure, the knowledge gained of bending moments,
shear force and section properties is applied to bending of built up sections, stresses induced in such beam sections, eccentrically
loaded columns and shear stresses induced in loaded beams. The basic stress section of S2 is enlarged to include Strain Energy
as well as Temperature Stresses. Stress transformation is introduced to help students with the follow up Strengths programme in
S4. Strength of Materials III contributes to the knowledge areas required for Applied Strength of Materials and Design for
S4. Strength of Materials III is developing the ECSA Graduate Attribute 1: Problem Solving, which will be assessed by an
assignment with a laid out rubric where a student is assessed for competency in the attribute. A student is either
competent or not. If a student is found incompetent, based on the report submitted, the student will be given a second
chance to submit the work such that he acquires competency in the attribute.
Section Basic Outline Outcomes
Space Trusses Simple trusses involving 3 members with one or 1. Be able to explain precisely what a tension
more applied vertical or inclined loads. coefficient is.
Note the graphical solution but concentrate only 2. Be able to use tension coefficients to solve
on solving basic trusses using Tension basic 3 member space frames having either
Coefficients. Chapter 1, sections 1.8 and 1.10. vertical, inclined or a combination of forces
Pages 9 to 17. acting.
Tutorial: Pages 22 to 24, Nos 1.14 to 1.21
Second Revision of S11, centroid, position of neutral Outcomes
Moment of axis, Parallel Axis Theorem, section modulus 1. Be able to calculate the position of the
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Area and (Z), use of standard steel sections (structural neutral axis and I for any built up section
Bending steel tables) and built up sections. Chapter 9, relative to the X and Y axes.
Moment and pages 135 to 144. Revision of SF and BM 2. Be able to use and interpret the section
Shear Force diagrams; relationship between loading, SF and tables to correctly read off IXX, IYY, ZXX and ZYY
BM. SF and BM diagrams for uniformly varying as well as the other properties of the various
loads, chapter 6 pages 85 to 101. sections.
Tutorial: Pages 141 to 144, Nos 9.1 to 9.9 and 3. Be able to calculate the SF and BM for a
Nos 6.7 to 6.21 uniformly varying load and draw the relevant
SF and BM diagrams.
Bending Derivation of the bending formula 1. Be able to give the units of and explain the
Stresses M σ E precise meaning of each term in the bending
= = formula as well as its application to a beam
I y R.
section.
Section Modulus and selection of a suitable 2. Be able to calculate the bending moment at
beam section from section tables. any section in a beam subject to a variety of
Chapter 10, pages 145 to 156. loading.
Tutorial: Pages 156 to 158, Nos 10.1 to 10.17 3. Be able to use the bending formula as well
as the section modulus to select a suitable
section for a given beam.
4 Be able to evaluate the actual stress in the
chosen section under the given loading and
draw the combined stress diagram.
Eccentric load Determination of the resultant maximum and 1. Be able to evaluate the direct and bending
on short minimum stresses induced in a section subject stress on an eccentrically loaded section and
columns and to a bending moment as well as a direct stress. draw the full stress diagram.
loaded beams. Chapter 10, pages 151 to 156. 2. Be able to determine the new position of the
Tutorial: Pages 158 to 160, Nos 10.18 to 10.25 neutral axis.
3. Be able to apply the bending equation and
the concept of an eccentric load to practical
problems.
Temperature Determination of temperature stresses induced 1. Be able to determine the stresses induced in
Stresses. in components in series or parallel with free, a bar or bars in series or parallel with free, fixed
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restricted or fixed ends. Chapter 7, pages 113 to or restricted ends when the temperature
120. changes.
Tutorial: Pages 120 to 122, Nos 7.1 to 7.11 2. Be able to calculate the change in length in
bars under the above conditions.
3. Be able to solve general stress problems
involving temperature changes superimposed
on other stress conditions.
Strain Energy Determination of energy stored in a body due to 1. Be able to explain precisely what Strain
due to direct gradually, suddenly and impact applied tensile Energy in tension and compression is.
stress (Tensile or compressive loads. 2. Be able to calculate the strain energy
and Chapter 8, pages 123 to 130. induced due to gradually as well as suddenly
Compressive Tutorial: Pages 132 to 134, Nos 8.1 to 8.17 applied and falling loads in single members as
only) well as members in series and/or parallel.
Fatigue Fatigue of ferrous and non-ferrous materials. 1. Be able to explain what is meant by the
Fatigue failure. fatigue of a material as well as the fatigue limit.
Fatigue fracture of materials; S-N diagrams; 2. Be able to illustrate an S-N curve and
Fatigue limit for ferrous metals; Factors explain how it is obtained for various materials
influencing fatigue strength; Stress under different atmospheric conditions and the
concentration factors; Fatigue tests; Effect of terms fatigue and endurance limit.
atmospheric conditions; Fatigue properties of 3. Be able to discuss the factors which
plastics. influence the fatigue strength of a material.
Tutorial: Pages 190 to 191 4. Be able to explain typical fatigue tests that
are carried out on materials.
Basic Two Determination of direct and shear stresses 1. Be able to convert a stress to a force.
Dimensional induced on any inclined plane due to applied 2. Be able to then resolve those forces normal
Stress external direct and or shear stresses, from first and parallel to the required plane.
Analysis principles as well as by formula. 3. Be able to convert the resolved forces to
Tutorial: Page 251, Nos 6.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.6, stresses on that plane.
16.7 and 16.8. (Ignore Mohr’s Stress circle) 4. Be able to use derived formula to determine
the induced stresses.
5. Be able to calculate the principle stresses
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as well as the maximum shear stress.
Shear Stress Derivation of the formula to calculate the shear 1. Be able to determine the average shear
In beams stress induced in a beam at any distance from stress induced in a beam section.
the neutral axis. Read pages 161 to 167. 2. Be able to explain the meaning of each term
Tutorial: Page 168, Nos 11.1 to 11.8 in the standard formula.
3. Be able to use the formula to determine the
shear stress profile as well as the shear stress
at any point from the neutral axis.
4. Be able to determine the shear stress and
load induced in rivets, bolts and welds that fix
the flange to the web of a beam section.
5. Be able to determine the percentage shear
force carried by any component of the beam
section.
Laboratory Work: Students will be divided into groups of 6 or 8 (depending on class size) and each group will perform two
practicals. Each group must submit a report on each practical which must be submitted on Blackboard
no later than one week after the particular practical session.
Reports are to be uploaded on Blackboard by 19h00 on scheduled dates. – late submissions will not be
accepted as the Blackboard link would have expired.
Evaluation: One 3 hour examination, 2 tests (30% of Test 1, 40% of Test 2), one combined laboratory mark (20%) and one
practical test/assignment (10%). The total is then 100%.
Course Mark: This will be evaluated thus;
[0,3xTest 1 %age + 0,4xTest 2 %age + 0.1xPractical test mark + 0,2xcombined laboratory mark %age]
For example, a student obtaining 45% for the first test, 63% for the second test, 30% for the prac
test/assignment and a combined laboratory mark of 68%, will have a course mark of;
[(0,3x45) + (0,4x63) + (0.1x30) + (0,2x68)] = 55.3%, which will be rounded down to 55%.
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Final Mark: Final Mark = (0,6xExam Mark %age) + (0,4xCourse Mark %age).
As an example, if the above student obtained 60% in the final exam, then his/her final mark would be;
(0,6x61) + (0,4x55) = 58.6 which would then be rounded up to 57%.
Revision Problems from the text book that should be done, not as possible examination questions, but to improve your
preparedness for the examination as these questions cover the work outlined in the syllabus ;
Space Frames: P23 examples 1.17 and 1.18; P24 No 1.20.
Temp Stress: P121 examples 7.5 and 7.8; P122 Nos 7.9, 7.10, 7.11.
Strain Energy: P133 examples 8.8 and 8.13; P134 Nos 8.15 and 8.16.
Bending Stress: P156 examples 10.2 and 10. 3; P157 Nos 10.9, 10.10, 10.11, 10.13, 10.14, 10.15 10.20, 10.23, 10.25.
Fatigue: Read pages 190and 191.
Stress Analysis Page 251 No 16.1, Page 252 No and Page 253 No 16.7.
Shear Stress Page 168 No 11.3, Page 169 Nos 11.5 and 11.6.
You must work through the worked examples in all sections.
Additional References in the University library:
1. Mechanics of Materials – 8th edition by J M Gere and B J Goodno.
2. Structural Stress Analysis – 2nd edition by T H G Megso.
3. Mechanics of Materials – latest S I addition by J M Gere and S P Timoshenko
4. Strength of Materials by Stephens
5. Eng Science for Technicians Vol 1 & 2
6. Eng Materials 8th edition
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7. Mechanics of Materials by Hibbler, R.C. 2013
8. Mechanics of Solids by C T F Ross
9. Mechanics of Materials 2nd edition. SI by Pytel, A. & Kiusalaas, J. 2012
10. Strength of Materials for Dummies
11. Mechanics of Materials Brief edition, SI. Goodno, Barry J.
Important rules regarding tests and examinations.
1. Videos and notes of a topic will be posted on blackboard prior to the lesson. Students are urged to read
the notes, watch the videos and prepare for the lesson to enable them to better understand the materal
when such is explained during MS teams/contact classes. This will enhance facilitation of the lesson and
understanding of students as they will be in a position to ask questions based on their preparation.
2. Once you write the test or examination, you take the mark; under no circumstances after this will
any reason for poor performance in the test or examination be entertained.
3. If you miss a test you must email the lecturer [[email protected]] immediately to inform her
that you will need a make- up test, you must provide a valid reason (doctor’s certificate, death certificate
or affidavit) immediately lectures resume at the university after the particular test session, either to the
lecturer concerned or to the secretary of the department; on receipt of your reason for missing the test the
lecturer will then decide whether to issue a makeup test for you. If you are allowed to write a make-up test
you must be prepared to immediately write the test; when consulting a doctor you must inform him/her
that you have a test on that particular day, this is important as in some instances it may influence his/her
decision to issue a certificate. The certificate must state clearly that you visited the doctor on that day
and were unable to write the test.
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Once the test dates are published and you have a reason before the test for not being able to write, you
must discuss this with the lecturer and a decision will then be made by the lecturer regarding your
particular case.
A doctors certificate is also required if you miss a laboratory session.
4. Course Marks: 4.1 A DP mark of 39 will normally be adjusted to 40.
4.2 There will be no negotiation re course marks, it is in your best interests to work
hard and obtain a course mark well above 50!
5. Test and Laboratory marks: No changes to any of these marks will be allowed after the scripts
have been issued back to students. For any queries or errors in marking, the lecturer will only attend to
them on the same day the scripts are returned to students. Students must run their report though
Turnitin to check for plagiarism and the submission report must contain the Turnitin report
showing highlighted text of sites where information was extracted. Failure to do so will result in a
zero mark. The acceptable similarity index is 15%. Reports are to be uploaded on Blackboard by
19h00 on scheduled dates. – late submissions will not be accepted as the Blackboard link would
have expired.
5. Final Examination Results: Under no circumstances will the lecturer issue these to students. Students
will have to wait for final publication of exam marks by the Exams department.
Please, it is in your own interest to be on time for lectures, by coming
late you disrupt the lecture
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SAIMechEng This is the SA Institution for Mechanical Engineering and is your home body dealing with all
matters pertaining to mechanical engineering; you can join as a student member, free of charge, and also attend
their local meetings which are held once a month. There is also a website www.saimeche.org.za which you
should look at as there is a facility to promote yourself when looking for WIL.
They also detail a Professional Development Plan (PDP) listing assessment criteria that will be used to assess
your professional state when registering and it is in your own interest to familiarize yourself with the criteria so
that you can plan your own professional development once you are working.
ECSA (Engineering Council of S A)
To ensure that your qualification remains meaningful, the department of mechanical engineering as well as the
programmes offered must be accredited by ECSA every four years; at ECSA’s next accreditation visit they will
be evaluating our programmes against applied competencies and skills. Graduates must be able to demonstrate
competence in ECSA’s 12 graduate attributes of:
Problem Solving, application of scientific and engineering knowledge, engineering design, investigative
experiment and data analysis, engineering methods, professional and technical communication, sustainability
and impact of any engineering activity, individual and team work, independent learning ability, engineering
professionalism and lastly workplace practices.
In order to comply with the above outcomes, course work, tests, examinations, laboratory work and assignments
will all have to develop the skills and competencies as outlined above and described in the ECSA document.
