3.0

Average Course Rating

This course provides students with an introduction to experimental solid mechanics, equipping them with the fundamental knowledge required to design, set up, and interpret laboratory tests to determine the strength, stiffness, fracture toughness, and strains and stresses in solids under quasi-static and dynamic loads. The course is divided into a series of modules, with each module containing a lecture and accompanying laboratory exercises in which students set up and execute experiments and analysis. Module topics include: the basics of experimental measurements, noise, and errors; strain gages; photoelasticity; digital image correlation; impact testing and high-speed imaging; fracture toughness measurements. By the end of the course, students will be able to formulate, design, and execute experiments to characterize the elastic, plastic, and dynamic response of a variety of materials, and compare their measurements with theoretical predictions. Recommended Course Background: knowledge of statics, mechanics and materials, and mechanics based design