Mechanical behavior of materials

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Recitations: 1 session / week, 1 hour / session

Here we will learn about the mechanical behavior of structures and materials, from the continuum description of properties to the atomistic and molecular mechanisms that confer those properties to all materials. We will cover elastic and plastic deformation, creep, fracture and fatigue of materials including crystalline and amorphous metals, semiconductors, ceramics, and (bio)polymers, and will focus on the design and processing of materials from the atomic to the macroscale to achieve desired mechanical behavior. We will cover special topics in mechanical behavior for material systems of your choice, with reference to current research and publications.

Prof. Krystyn J. Van Vliet
Dr. Jonathan Trenkle

Force distributions in structures (review); failure in context
Displacement → strain; Internal force → stress
Tensorial stress and strain; transformations

Lest you think that mechanical behavior of materials does not impact your intellectual or research interests, you will form small groups (4 people, max) around a common, special topic in mechanical behavior. 10 topics are listed on the wiki (e.g., mechanics of liquid crystals), and we can discuss additional, possible topics. The idea is that you will follow this special topic of significant interest to you throughout the entire class, from elasticity to fatigue failure. Each problem set will contain one problem for only your group (listed on the wiki) which may include readings from recent publications, and you will present a summary of this special topic in a brief lecture to the class at the end of the semester. Choose wisely and have fun!

Courtney. Mechanical Behavior of Materials. 2nd ed. Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press Inc., 2005. ISBN: 9781577664253.

We encourage you to work together on problem sets and lab analysis/discussion. However, all work turned in must be your own product, as it stands on the submission due date. What is cheating?

A student who cheats will receive a formal letter in his/her file at the Office of Student Discipline and may be reported to the Council on Discipline. You do not need to cheat to succeed in this class!

Prof. Van Vliet will grade the three quizzes noted above. Van Vliet will grade the wiki content related to special topics. A grader (TBA) will grade all problem sets, using solutions provided by Van Vliet and Trenkle. Don't bug Trenkle about the grading.

An "A" in 3.22 means that you have shown you can understand and apply the following quote to make a positive difference with your knowledge of material mechanical behavior:

"Give me matter, and I will construct a world out of it."

—Immanuel Kant

as quoted by Bedford and Liechti, Mechanics of Materials (2000).

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