421-112 Dynamics and Measurement Systems

421-103 Engineering Statics.

Topics covered include: Newton's laws of motion for a particle in inertial reference frames; conservation of energy (kinetic and potential), linear momentum and angular momentum; the motion of a rigid body including the conservation laws; the dissipation of energy and the conversion of energy to heat; the analysis of motion of constrained and unconstrained bodies; the determination of frequencies of motion of a pendulum, a simple spring-mass system, a string and simple flexural systems; the response of undamped and damped single-degree-of-freedom systems to a variety of input and/or initial conditions using classical and numerical modelling techniques; introduction to multi-degree-of-freedom systems; shear stress in a fluid in motion with an emphasis on Newtonian fluids; description of laminar and turbulent flows and the importance of Reynolds number; the basic principles and design of measurement transducers (strain gauges, LVDTs, pressure transducers, accelerometers, etc) and other systems of measurement; principles and techniques for data acquisition and data logging using measurement transducers; the design of experiments using measurement systems.

A 2-hour examination (60%) and progressive assessment based upon 5 quizzes and 3 assignments each up to 2000 words, to be held throughout the semester (40%). Students must submit all assignments and quizzes and achieve a grade of at least 50% in the examination in order to pass the subject.