UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

FACULTY OF ENGINNEERING AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING MECHANICS - MECH 101

COURSE OUTLINE LAST DATE EDITED: 25/8/2022

LECTURERS:

 Eng. N. Nyoni -Group A (Section A) Lecturer [email protected]

 Eng. Rubunya -Group A Lecturer (Section A) [email protected]
 Eng. N. Shati -Group B Lecturer [email protected]
 Eng. S. Chinguwa. -Group B Coordinator [email protected]
Room ED 23 Phone +263 779 923 872

1.0 PREAMBLE

Typically, engineering mechanics is used to analyze and predict the acceleration and
deformation (both elastic and plastic) of objects under known forces (also called loads) or
stresses.

Engineering mechanics is a branch of the physical sciences and the practical application of
mechanics. Engineering mechanics examines the response of bodies (solids and fluids) or
systems of bodies to external forces. Some examples of mechanical systems include the flow
of a liquid under pressure, the fracture of a solid from an applied force, or the vibration of an
ear in response to sound.

Engineering mechanics, bridges the gap between physical theory and its application to
technology. As such, engineering mechanics is used in many fields of engineering, especially
mechanical engineering. In this context, it is commonly referred to as applied mechanics.
Much of modern engineering mechanics is based on Isaac Newton's the modern practice of
their application can be traced back to Stephen Timoshenko, who is said to be the father of
modern engineering mechanics.

2.0 AIM

The goal of this Engineering Mechanics course is to expose students to problems in

mechanics as applied to plausibly real-world scenarios. Problems of particular types are
explored in detail in the hopes that students will gain an inductive understanding of the
underlying principles at work; students should then be able to recognize problems of this sort
in real-world situations and respond accordingly.

1.0 MODULES FOR MECH 101

1.1 MODULE 1

STATICS OF PARTICLES

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)  Students should be able to replace two or

more forces acting on a given particle by a resultant force  The principles of equilibrium of
forces will help students to analyse practical engineering scenarios like selection of
equipment, machinery and structural elements  To understand the ideas and the application
of engineering mechanics concepts as guided by Newton’s laws of motion.

1.2 MODULE 2

EQUILIBRIUM OF RIGID BODIES

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)  Sketching a concept problem and extract a

free body diagram then analyse the causes and effects of forces involved.  Identify
reactions at supports and connections for 2 dimensional structure and find the unknown
forces acting on the supports such as pins, rollers, collars and links  To be able to solve
problems involving 2D statically determinate reactions like loaded beams, cranes, trusses,
frames and mechanical elements  Students to use the knowledge acquired in our daily lives
for construction of roofing trusses, bridges and machines 1.3 MODULE 3

CENTROIDS AND CENTRE OF GRAVITY

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)  To replace the numerous forces produced

by the action of gravity on a rigid body by its weight acting through the centre of gravity 
To be able to determine the centre of gravity for bodies of various shapes  The concept of
centroid will equip students with the ability to replace distributed loads on beams, structures
and practical engineering situations with an equivalent concentrated load

1.4 MODULE 4

ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

 To be able to solve unknown forces in trusses and structures by use of method of

joints and method of sections
  The module will enable the students to determine the various forces and reactions
exerted on structures which are vital for engineers when designing, loading and
costing materials for construction, machinery and engineering elements
 At this stage student should be able to analyse, design and cost roofing trusses,
pylons, cranes, bridges, frames and simple machines

1.5 MODULE 5 FRICTION

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

 To appreciate the mechanism and laws of dry friction

 Solve problems involving dry friction
 Apply the effects of friction on simple machines like wedges, threaded screws,
presses, bearings and flat belts

1.6 MODULE 6

KINEMATICS OF PARTICLES

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

To derive and apply the equations of motion of a particle (that predict its displacement,
velocity and acceleration)

Solve practical problems involving displacement, velocity and acceleration

1.7 MODULE 7

ENERGY AND MOMENTUM METHODS

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

 Use the principle of conservation of energy and momentum to solve problems

involving velocity, displacement and acceleration
 Evaluate the forces involved during impulsive collisions

1.8 MODULE 8

DIRECT STRESS AND STRAIN

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

 Appreciate the relationship of stress and strain (young modulus)

 Apply the effects of thermal strain and compound bars in engineering practice
 Solve problems related on effects of thermal strain and compound bars

1.9 MODULE 9

PURE BENDING IN BEAM

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

 Apply the Euler –Bernoulli equation to determine the stresses in beams subjected to
pure bending
 Calculate the second moment of area for complex sections and use it to find
maximum tensile and compressive stresses of such beams
 The bending equation will assist student in designing beams under pure bending

1.10 MODULE 10

FLUID STATICS

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

 Knowledge of properties of fluids, centre of pressure and hydrostatic forces.

 To evaluate hydrostatic pressure and forces exerted on engineering structures like
dams, tanks, reservoirs, boats, lock gates, sluice gates and dock gates
 Solve problems based on the above engineering structures

1.11 MODULE 11

FORCES IN BEAMS (SHEAR AND BENDING MOMENT DIAGRAMS)

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

 Be able to draw shear and bending moment diagrams under different types of loads
 Solve problems involving shear and bending moments
 The knowledge gained will assist student in the design and evaluation of beams and
structural element under different types of loading

1.12 MODULE 12

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)

SHEAR STRESS AND TORSION IN CIRCULAR SHAFTS

 Apply the torsion equation in the design and selection of solid and hollow shafts

2.0 LAB BASED PRACTICALS

Practicals will be carried out in the Industrial and Mechatronics laboratory

The students will carry out the following practicals so that they bridge the gap between
theory and practice

2.1. DEFLECTION OF CANTILEVER BEAM

2.2. DEFLECTION OF SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM

 2.3. ROLLING DISC: Demonstrates linear and angular motion and work done
to overcome friction

2.4. TORSION OF CIRCULAR SHAFTS

3.0 METHODS/ STRATEGIES OF TEACHING

INTENDED LEARNING ACTIVITIES (ILAs)

The course will comprise of 60 hours direct lecturing, presentations, assignments and tests,
tutorials and laboratory practicals.

Lectures – Module/lectures sessions shall be for a maximum of 3 hours and each session
may take either one of the form or a combination of the following:

• Lecturer to conduct power point presentations on a specific topic as presented in the

modules or course outline. • Lecturer will solve selected sample problems on the
board.

• individual’s student or groups working out problems and presenting as assigned.

• Tutorials -These sessions shall be any or combinations of the following;

• Tutorials to be facilitated by a Tutor

• Group discussions on specific problems allocated to each group

• Presentation of group problem solutions to the class which will include questions to
the group.

• Worked examples jointly by the class with individuals volunteering to demonstrate

on the chalk board

• Laboratory practicals

• Class is divided into groups and each group carries out the slated practical in the
Mechanical Engineering Laboratory

• A minimum of 4 laboratory practicals per semester will be expected.

Workshop activity

A simple design and Workshop project and then outreach donation of the produced item.
Students are to design a simple tool or useful object needed by a certain group of people in
society. The best design is chosen and the item is produced very quickly among the groups at
a rate to be pegged. After quality testing and marking the item(s) are donated to the deserving
community.
ILO – Students are expected to convert waste into raw materials to produce meaningful and
strong items useful to the community. Students are also expected to have community needs as
part of their objectives in acquiring the engineering degree.

4.0 COURSE DURATION

The course will be covered over one Month in 60 hours plus.

5. 0 COURSE CONTENT

SECTION A OF THE SYLLABUS AND PAPER

No. Course Content Lecturer Time (hrs)
1. Kinematics of particles: Dr. Madanhire 4
Displacement, Velocity and Eng. Rubunya
Acceleration
2. Friction: Laws of friction Engineering Dr. Madanhire 2
applications of friction Eng. Rubunya

3. Distributed forces: Centroids and Dr. Madanhire 4

centre of gravity, distributed forces. Eng. Rubunya

4. Kinetics of particles: Newton’s second Dr. Madanhire 4

law Eng. Rubunya

5. Kinetics: Energy and momentum Dr. Madanhire 4

methods; Conservation of energy and Eng. Rubunya
momentum Impulsive collision
6. Velocity vectors Dr. Madanhire 2
Eng. Rubunya
7. System of forces :Equilibrium of rigid Dr. Madanhire 2
bodies Eng. Rubunya

8. Analysis of structures: Trusses and Dr. Madanhire 6

pinned frames; Method of joints and Eng. Rubunya
method of sections
9. Fluid statics: Properties of fluids, Dr. Madanhire 2
centre of pressure and hydrostatic Eng. Rubunya
forces.

10. Pressure and Head Dr. Madanhire 2

Eng. Rubunya
SECTION B OF SYLLABUS
 11. Direct Stress and Strain: Young Eng. Chinguwa 4
Modulus Stress and strain diagrams Eng. Shati
for different materials

12. Bending in beams: Pure bending of Eng. Chinguwa 6

elastic beams. Equation of bending Eng. Shati
theory bending theory Neutral axis
Moment resistance equation

13. Forces in beams: Types of beams and Eng. Chinguwa 4

supports, concentrated and distributed Eng. Shati
loads. Shear force and bending
moment diagrams for statically
determinate beams.
14. Stress in thin shells Thin cylinders Eng. Chinguwa 4
Thin spheres. Joint efficiency Eng. Shati

15. Compound bars in compression and Eng Chinguwa 6

tension. Thermal stresses. Bending Eng. Shati
stresses. Direct stresses

16. Thermodynamic Concepts and Eng. Chinguwa 4

definitions and properties of fluids Eng. Shati

6.0 TEACHING METHOD

The course shall be contacted through lectures, laboratory sessions and tutorials. The lectures
are expected to be student centered. Each student would be expected to read widely and be a
topic expert by doing presentations to enhance understanding of the topics introduced. The
lectures will be conducted online using lecture notes and slides.

7.0 METHODS/ STRATEGIES OF TEACHING

The course will comprise of 60 hours direct lecturing e-learning, presentations assignments,
tests and, tutorials plus practicals.

• Lectures - Lecture sessions shall be for a maximum of two hours and each session
may take either one of the form or a combination of the following:
 • Power point presentation from lecturer and digital projector

• derivations and computations by the lecturer on the white board or via E-platforms

• individual’s student or groups working out problems and presenting as assigned.

• viewing of videos and pictures of relevant topics

8. Recommended texts

1. Mechanics of Materials Volume 1, 3rd Edition by E.J. Hearn

2. Mechanics of Materials Volume 2, 3rd Edition by E.J. Hearn
3. Applied Mechanics by Hannah and Hillier
4. Mechanics of Materials by R.C. Hibbeler
5. Engineering Mechanics by Benham
6. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Strength_of_Materials
7. http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/materials-science-and-engineering/3-11-mechanics-of-
materials-fall-1999/modules/
(References are not exhaustive and other titles fall under Strength of Materials or
Engineering Materials)