Introductory description

As a fundamental subject in an engineering context, the intention of this module is to give an overview of different concepts of mechanics and thermodynamics and how to employ them in order to solve mechanical and thermodynamical problems.
Students need to understand fundamental laws and principles of mechanics and thermodynamics and develop their skills in order to be able to simulate, analyze and solve engineering problems using analytical approach.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Solid Mechanics:

• Basic Concepts
• Force and moment; equivalent forces
• Degrees of freedom (DoF)
• Free body diagrams
• Truss analysis
• Introduction to the Mechanics of materials
• Beam analysis

Energy Methods:

• State and equilibrium
• Properties of a system (temperature scale, pressure, property diagrams, equation of state—Ideal gas)
• Zeroth law of thermodynamics
• Forms of energy and energy transfer
• First law of thermodynamics (energy balance, specific heat, mixing chambers, heat exchangers)
• Second law of thermodynamics (heat engine, refrigerators, heat pumps, Carnot cycle)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate the understanding of principles of static mechanics
• Apply principle of static equilibrium to particles, rigid bodies, beams and trusses
• Understand properties and types of thermodynamic systems and processes; mechanical work and power; Laws of Thermodynamics and definitions of temperature, heat, heat capacity and energy storage
• Contemplate the applications of energy methods in appropriate industrial sectors

Indicative reading list

• Mechanical Science (W. Bolton) (Blackwell Pub., 2006. 3rd ed.), ISBN 9781405191104.
• Statics and mechanics of materials (R.C. Hibbeler) (Pearson, 2019 5th ed.) ISBN 9781292177915
• Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics and Dynamics (F.P. Beer, E.R. Johnston Jr., D. Mazurek, P.J. Cornwell, B. Self ) (McGraw-Hill, 2015) ISBN 9780077687441.
• Fundamentals of thermal-fluid Sciences (Y.A. Cengel, R.H. Turner) (McGraw-Hill, 3rd or 4th ed.) ISBN 9781259151323.
• Fluid Mechanics (F.M. White) (McGraw-Hill Education) ISBN
  9789814720175
• Analysis and Design of Energy Systems (Hodge) (Pearson) ISBN 978-0135259733

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

• solving engineering problems
• ability to think critically in solving mechanics problems.
• ability to analyze and solve static mechanics problems
• ability to analyze beams and trusses
• understanding fundamental laws of thermodynamics
• understanding properties and types of thermodynamic systems and processes
• understanding the influence of materials in engineering mechanics,

Transferable skills

• ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering
• ability to conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
• ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
• teamwork and working effectively with others
• communication
• problem-solving
• Digital literacy
• Self-awareness
• Critical thinking
• critical thinking