Sensor Integration
Understand deformation principles to properly position and interpret sensor data.
Mechanics of Materials
Mechanics of Materials, also called Solid Mechanics, Strength of Materials, or Mechanics of Deformable Bodies, is the branch of engineering that studies how solid objects deform and fail under applied forces, moments, and environmental conditions. This fundamental discipline provides the theoretical foundation for designing safe, efficient, and reliable mechanical components in everything from tiny MEMS devices to massive aerospace structures.
This course explores how materials behave when subjected to forces and deformations—knowledge essential for designing robust mechatronic systems that integrate mechanical, electrical, and control engineering.
Lesson Structure & Approach
Each lesson follows our systems-based pedagogical approach:
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🔧 Real-World System Problem Begin with complete mechatronic systems (robotic arms, actuators, pressure vessels) facing specific engineering challenges.
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📚 Fundamental Theory Develop the mathematical and physical principles needed to analyze and solve the system problem.
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🎯 System Application Apply theory to the original system with step-by-step engineering solutions and design verification.
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🛠️ Design Guidelines Extract practical rules and best practices for professional mechatronic system design.
Learning Path
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Build a Strong Foundation Master fundamental concepts of stress and strain that form the basis for all mechanical analysis.
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Analyze Material Behavior Understand how different materials respond to forces and predict their deformation.
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Apply to Complex Systems Learn to analyze multi-component systems with varying properties and constraints.
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Design for Real-World Applications Apply mechanics of materials principles to mechatronics challenges including sensors, actuators, and structures.
Course Structure
This course is organized into two major chapters:
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Fundamental Stress Concepts
Understanding stress calculations, material classifications, and Hooke’s Law.
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Strain and Mechanical Properties
Exploring deformation, Poisson’s ratio, and shear behavior in materials.
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Compound Bars
Analyzing multi-material systems and statically indeterminate structures.
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Thermal Stresses
Investigating how temperature changes affect dimensions and create internal stresses.
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Shaft Torsion
Studying the behavior of components subjected to twisting forces.
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Thin-Walled Pressure Vessels
Analyzing containers under internal or external pressure.
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Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams
Analyzing internal force distributions in robotic arm segments under transverse loading.
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Bending Stresses in Simple Beams
Calculating flexural stresses in cantilever gripper jaws using the beam bending formula.
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Beam Deflections and Stiffness Analysis
Predicting elastic deformations in CNC spindles under cutting loads for precision control.
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Combined Bending and Torsion Loading
Analyzing multi-axis loading in robotic wrist joints experiencing simultaneous bending and twisting.
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Composite and Built-up Beam Systems
Understanding multi-material beam behavior in CNC machine bed construction.
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Principal Stresses and Failure Criteria
Applying Mohr’s circle analysis for critical stress evaluation in mechatronic joint design.
Why Mechanics of Materials Matters for Mechatronics
Actuator Design
Create mechanical components that effectively transfer forces and motion.
Structural Optimization
Balance strength, weight, and material cost in space-constrained devices.
Failure Prevention
Predict and mitigate potential failure modes in automated systems.
Prerequisites
Basic calculus, vector mechanics, and elementary physics concepts.
Key Resources
- Textbooks: “Mechanics of Materials” (Beer et al.), “Engineering Mechanics of Solids” (Popov)
- Online: MIT OpenCourseWare Mechanics of Materials, NPTEL Solid Mechanics Course
Ready to begin? Navigate to the first module to start your journey into mechanics of materials!