Mechanics of Materials I: Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading Course Syllabus

Overview: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the mechanics of materials, focusing on stress, strain, and axial loading. Designed for engineers and engineering students, it blends theoretical foundations with practical applications in structural and mechanical systems. The curriculum spans six modules, totaling approximately 13 hours of content, and is self-paced to fit your schedule. You'll explore key concepts such as stress-strain relationships, material behavior, stress transformation, and advanced topics including thermal effects and plasticity. Real-world examples and analytical tools like Mohr’s Circle are integrated throughout to enhance understanding. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Module 1: Welcome

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Introduction to the course structure and objectives
• Overview of learning resources and tools
• Course navigation and expectations

Module 2: Stress and Strain Fundamentals

Estimated time: 3 hours

• General analysis approach to internal forces
• Concepts of normal and shear stress
• Maximum stress on inclined planes and 3D stress states
• Distinction between engineering and true stress
• Understanding normal strain

Module 3: Stress-Strain Diagrams and Material Properties

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Tension tests and interpretation of stress-strain diagrams
• Hooke’s Law and material elasticity
• Yield stress determination and strain hardening
• Poisson’s ratio and shear stress-strain relationships

Module 4: Stresses on Inclined Planes

Estimated time: 3 hours

• Stress transformation equations for inclined planes
• Application of Mohr’s Circle for plane stress analysis
• Principal stresses and maximum shear stress

Module 5: Stress Concentrations and Strain Measurement

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Identification and analysis of stress concentrations
• Plane strain conditions and Mohr’s Circle for plane strain
• Techniques for measuring strain in materials

Module 6: Advanced Topics in Mechanics of Materials

Estimated time: 2 hours

• Generalized Hooke’s Law for isotropic materials
• Factors of safety in design
• Non-linear behavior, plasticity, and statically indeterminate structures
• Thermal effects on material behavior

Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of statics and mechanics of rigid bodies
• Familiarity with units and system equilibrium
• Understanding of vector mathematics and free-body diagrams

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Understand the fundamental concepts of stress and strain in solid materials
• Analyze axial loading scenarios and their effects on structural elements
• Develop and interpret stress-strain diagrams for various materials
• Apply concepts of shear stress, shear strain, and material properties
• Utilize Mohr’s Circle for stress analysis on inclined planes