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Unit outline_

MECH3362: Materials 2

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims for students to understand the relationship between properties of materials and their microstructures and to improve mechanical design based on knowledge of mechanics and properties of materials. At the end of this unit students should have the capability to select proper materials for simple engineering design. Course content will include: short-term and long-term mechanical properties; introductory fracture and fatigue mechanics, dislocations; polymers and polymer composite materials; ceramics and glasses; structure-property relationships; selection of materials in mechanical design.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
AMME2301 AND (AMME2302 OR AMME1362 OR CIVL2110)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

(1) A good understanding of basic knowledge and principles of material science and engineering from Materials I and mechanics of solids for simple structural elements (in tension, bending, torsion); (2) Reasonable mathematical skills in calculation of stresses and strains in simple structural elements.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Li Chang, li.chang@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final exam
55% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Lab report
5% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Assignment 1
5% Week 03 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Assignment 2
5% Week 06 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Tutorial quiz Quiz 1
10% Week 07 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 3
5% Week 09 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Tutorial quiz Quiz 2
10% Week 13 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 4
5% Week 13 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Assessment summary

  • Lab report: Students are required to attend a lab session and submit a written report.
  • Assignment 1: Students will be required to submit an assignment in response to practical problems on basic mechanical behaviour of engineering materials.
  • Assignment 2: Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of failure analyses using failure and fracture criteria.
  • Assignment 3: Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge on the fracture and fatigue analyses of engineering materials.
  • Assignment 4: Students will be required to demonstrate exercises and the establishment of sound knowledge in fatigue, fatigue crack growth and creep analyses for engineering materials.
  • Final exam: Closed book examination.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction; 2. Engineering materials and material selection Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 02 The Elastic Moduli Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 03 1. Composite materials; 2. Anisotropy of elasticity; 3. Case studies Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 04 1. Yielding strength; 2. Tensile strength and ductility Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 05 Strengthening methods and plasticity Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 06 Brittle fracture and fracture toughness Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 07 1. Mechanisms of fracture; 2. Case studies Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 08 Fatigue failure Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 09 1. Fatigue design; 2. Life estimation on crack growth; 3. Case studies Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 10 1. Viscoelasticity; 2. Creep failure; 3. Case studies Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 11 Steel alloys Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 12 Oxidation and corrosion Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  
Week 13 Friction, abrasion and wear Lecture and tutorial (5 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • M. F. Ashby & D. R. H. Jones, Engineering Materials 1: An Introduction to Properties, Applications and Design (4th).

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. graph simple equations representing material props, interpret graphs and communicate the outcomes
  • LO2. design simple engineering structural elements such as beams and thin-walled structures against plastic yielding, brittle failure, creep rupture and brittle fracture and fatigue with the concept of damage tolerance using the basic principles in materials selection
  • LO3. design a simple engineering structure by applying both criteria against plastic yielding and brittle fracture
  • LO4. evaluate fatigue failure in terms fatigue plot, and crack growth based on a fracture mechanics approach (stress intensity factor range)
  • LO5. analyse rupture life of stead-state creep as a function of stress and temperature
  • LO6. understand the processing, structure and property relationships of advanced engineering materials such as composite materials and high performance alloys
  • LO7. understand the general relationship between materials microstructure and mechanical properties (e.g. modulus of elasticity, yield strength, fracture toughness, fatigue, creep resistance, friction and wear)
  • LO8. characterise mechanical behaviours of materials including basic mechanical property, fracture, fatigue and creep resistance.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

According to students' feedback in last year, more online learning materials will be provided.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.