Experimental Methods in Mechanical Engineering

Objectives

It is intended that the student''''s contact with various experimental techniques allows them to know or predict the responses exhibited by structures subjected to static or dynamic loads. In the presence of these responses, the student is asked to compare them with those obtained through theoretical models. Explaining the differences between the results obtained by both methods is one of the important tasks that the student should be able to perform.

As the various experimental works are carried out in groups, it is essential for the student to promote their development and critical work in this environment, as well as to manage their time correctly. It is also intended, with the preparation and discussion of the reports, that the student develops his/her skills in technical writing and oral presentation.


General characterization

Code

8451

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Pedro Samuel Gonçalves Coelho, Raquel Albuquerque Soares Brás de Almeida

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 59

Teaching language

Português

Prerequisites

As an integrative discipline, it is necessary that students already have a consolidated background in Statics and Dynamics of rigid bodies, Mechanics of Solids, and very importantly in Mechanical Vibrations.

Bibliography

Encyclopedie VISHAY d''''''''Analyse des Contraintes" Ed da VISHAY Micromesures.

"Fundamentos de Extensometria Eléctrica" - A.P. Vale Urgueira FCT- 2003

"The Strain Gage Primer",  CC Perry, HR Lissner, McGraw Hill

"Dinâmica - Mecânica Vectorial para Engenheiros",  Beer and Johnston Mc Graw Hill 1998

RS Figliola, DE Beasley; "Theory and Design for Mechanical Measurements", John Wiley Sons

KG McConnell "Vibration Testing - Theory and Practice", John Wiley Sons

Maia et all, "Theoretical and Experimental Modal Analysis", RSP

JH Ginsberg "Mechanical and Structural Vibrations - Theory and Applications", JWS

Teaching method

Available soon

Evaluation method

Assessment implies the completion of all laboratory work (LW) and reports for four of them, previously defined. These reports are then subject to discussion with each student group, and after the oral discussion, each student''s grade may differ from that of the other group members. All laboratory work with reports carries equal weight in the final average of each student, meaning that the final grade is determined by the following weighted average:

Final grade = 0.25LW1 + 0.25LW2 + 0.25LW3 + 0.25LW4 ≥ 9.5 points.

There is NO possibility of taking an exam (at any time) since the course evaluation is based on the reports and discussion of the laboratory work completed.

Subject matter

Statics: Experimental determination of the center of gravity of a structure.

Dynamics: Determination of the moments of inertia of rigid bodies using the compound and bifilar pendulums.

Experimental Stress Analysis: Principles of electrical strain gauging and photoelasticity. Installation of strain gauges. Wheatstone bridge. Strain gauge rosettes. Stress concentration analysis.

Mechanical Vibrations: Vibration analysis, determination of damping, motion transmissibility. Introduction to experimental modal analysis of vibratory systems.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: