Course Syllabus
E M 324 Mechanics of Materials - Spring 2025
Section 5 MWF 2:15 PM - 3:05 PM
Advanced Teaching and Research Building, Room 1302 (safety information)
Supplemental Instruction
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Course Information
Course Description (from ISU Course Catalog)
(3-0) Cr. 3. Plane stress, plane strain, stress-strain relationships, and elements of material behavior. Application of stress and deformation analysis to members subject to centric, torsional, flexural, and combined loadings. Elementary considerations of theories of failure, buckling.
Course Prerequisites (and previous knowledge expected)
Credit in Engineering Statics (C E 274)
- Free-body diagrams
- Force components and resultants
- Moment of a force about a point and about a line
- Finding forces and moments in structural members
- Shear force and moment diagrams and equations
- Centroid of an area
- Second moment of an area
- It is the policy of the College of Engineering to require all students enrolled in this course to have satisfied all of the course’s prerequisite requirements. If it is discovered that a student has not met any applicable prerequisite requirements, he/she will be required to immediately drop the course. Failure to drop the course will result in a final course grade of ‘F’, regardless of course performance. Students who discover they have improperly enrolled in a course without meeting the applicable prerequisite requirements are strongly encouraged to meet with advising staff to promptly drop the course and make alternative scheduling arrangements or discuss if an official waiver of the pre-requisite requirements may be applicable.
Course structure
- This class will use team-based learning (TBL) approach. All lecture videos and pdf files of lecture notes will be provided on Canvas. Although instructor’s notes will be provided students are encouraged to take their own notes while watching lecture videos.
- Students will be expected to watch lecture videos and start working on HW before each class meeting.
- During the class time students will be working in groups of 4-6 students (randomly assigned by instructor). These groups will be fixed for the duration of semester.
- In most cases, two problems will be assigned each class period. Each class meeting will have the following structure:
- Problem 1
- Every student will solve problem 1 individually.
- Each group will discuss differences in solutions (if any).
- Instructor briefly presents solution of the problem.
- Problem 2
- Every student will solve problem 2 individually.
- Each group will discuss differences in solutions (if any).
- Instructor briefly presents solution of the problem.
- Problem 1
Each group must submit one in-class assignment, signed by all group members, to serve as attendance verification.
Textbook
Philpot, Mechanics of Materials: An Integrated Learning System, 5e
Homework
All homework assigned on WileyPlus (integrated into Canvas) is required and a part of your course grade. Although students are expected to complete assignments by themselves, students are encouraged to work together on problem solving strategies and techniques.
Each assigned HW will be due at 11:59 pm CDT (Iowa time) of the following class meeting day.
Monday HW will be opened on preceding Friday and will be due on Wednesday,
Wednesday HW will be opened on preceding Monday and will be due on Friday,
Friday HW will be opened on preceding Wednesday and will be due on Monday.
Although HW will have above mentioned deadlines, it is strongly recommended to start
Working on your HW before each class.
Exams
Make-up exams will be given only for unusual circumstances and/or approved medical excuses. For anticipated conflicts with a scheduled exam, you must contact your instructor BEFORE the exam to request and attempt to arrange an alternate exam. All requests for make-up exams must be submitted in writing and must include the reason for the request and a copy of your schedule from accessplus.
Communications with course instructor:
Email:
You can also contact the Instructor of the course via email (zli5@iastate.edu) to submit questions that you may have (especially if the answer to your question is one that would not concern or help other students).
Part 2: Course Learning Objectives
Enduring Understanding
The purpose of this course is to develop the thought process and discipline of students to enable them to systematically solve structural loading and deformation problems confidently and competently, regardless of difficulty.
Students will understand that:
- The stretching, twisting, and bending of structural members is directly related to the forces and moments in the members.
- Forces and moments in structural members are generated by stresses distributed throughout the members.
Emphasis
This course is intended to familiarize students with basic concepts of stress and deformation as a basis for continued work in structural analysis and machine design.
Specific Course Learning Outcomes
By completion of the course, students should be able to:
- Define each of the following mechanical properties – modulus of elasticity, ductility, yield strength, ultimate strength, and coefficient of thermal expansion – and describe how each property characterizes the material response of a linear elastic, homogeneous, isotropic material or structure.
- Properly apply section properties (first, second and polar moments of area, radius of gyration) for the purpose of stress and deformation analysis of beams, shafts, and/or columns.
- Calculate and illustrate the normal & shear stress components, normal & shear strains, and deformation of standard idealized elements such as shafts, beams, columns and thin-shell pressure vessels due to axial, torsional, and flexural loads, pressurization, and/or changes in temperature.
- Calculate and illustrate the magnitude and orientation of the principal stresses and maximum shear stresses at any point within a structural element.
- Calculate and illustrate the normal and shear stresses at any point on any plane within a structural element.
- Given strain gauge measurements, calculate and illustrate both normal & shear strains & stresses at that point.
- Calculate and illustrate normal and shear stress concentrations resulting from discontinuities in section geometry (holes, fillets, grooves).
- Understand the basic types of mechanical failure for ductile and brittle materials, and buckling of columns. Calculate the conditions which would result in yielding, fracture, or elastic instability and the factor of safety relative to such failures.
Part 3: Topic Outline/Schedule
The assigned homework problems should be considered a minimum assignment. Students should do as many additional problems as is necessary to thoroughly understand the basic principles.
Topic |
Week |
Topic |
Readings |
HW |
||
|
1 |
M |
20-Jan |
University holiday - No Class |
|
|
1 |
W |
22-Jan |
Introduction; Review of Statics |
|
|
|
2 |
F |
24-Jan |
Normal & shear stresses |
1.2 & 1.3 |
HW2 |
|
3 |
2 |
M |
27-Jan |
Bearing stress, Punching shear stress |
1.4 |
HW3 |
4 |
W |
29-Jan |
Deformation; normal & shear strain |
2.1-2.3 |
HW4 |
|
5 |
F |
31-Jan |
Mechanical properties of materials |
3.1-3.4 |
HW5 |
|
6 |
3 |
M |
3-Feb |
Allowable stress design |
4.1-4.4 |
HW6 |
7 |
W |
5-Feb |
Axial loading |
5.1-5.4 |
HW7 |
|
8 |
F |
7-Feb |
Indeterminate axial loading |
5.5 |
HW8 |
|
|
4 |
M |
10-Feb |
In-class review for EXAM 1 |
|
|
9 |
W |
12-Feb |
Temperature effects |
5.6 |
HW9 |
|
|
W |
12-Feb |
NIGHT EXAM 1 (Topics 1 – 8) |
|
|
|
|
F |
14-Feb |
No Class |
|
|
|
10 |
5 |
M |
17-Feb |
Torsional shear stress & strain |
6.1-6.3,6.6 |
HW10 |
11 |
W |
19-Feb |
Angle of twist (Determinate) |
6.4-6.5 |
HW11 |
|
12 |
F |
21-Feb |
Statically indeterminate torsion |
6.9 |
HW12 |
|
13 |
6 |
M |
24-Feb |
Shear & moment diagrams |
7.1-7.3 |
HW13 |
14 |
W |
26-Feb |
Flexural stresses |
8.1-8.3 |
HW14 |
|
15 |
F |
28-Feb |
Flexural stresses |
8.4-8.5 |
HW15 |
|
16 |
7 |
M |
3-Mar |
Combined axial and flexural stresses |
8.7 |
HW16 |
17 |
W |
5-Mar |
Shearing stresses in beams |
9.1-9.5 |
HW17 |
|
18 |
F |
7-Mar |
Shear stresses in circular and I-beam shapes |
9.6-9.7 |
HW18 |
|
|
8 |
M |
10-Mar |
In-class review for EXAM 2 |
|
|
19 |
W |
12-Mar |
Beam deflection by discontinuity functions |
7.4,10.1-3,10.6 |
HW19 |
|
|
W |
12-Mar |
NIGHT EXAM 2 (Topics 1-18) |
|
|
|
|
F |
14-Mar |
No Class |
|
|
|
|
9 |
17-Mar |
21-Mar |
Spring Break - No Classes |
|
|
20 |
10 |
M |
24-Mar |
Beam deflection by discontinuity functions |
7.4,10.1-3,10.6 |
HW20 |
21 |
W |
26-Mar |
Beam deflection by superposition |
10.7 |
HW21 |
|
22 |
F |
28-Mar |
Beam deflection by superposition |
10.7 |
HW22 |
|
23 |
11 |
M |
31-Mar |
Statically indeterminate beam deflection |
11.1,2,4,5 |
HW23 |
24 |
W |
2-Apr |
Stress transformation |
12.1-12.7 |
HW24 |
|
25 |
F |
4-Apr |
Principal stresses; max shear |
12.8-12.9 |
HW25 |
|
26 |
12 |
M |
7-Apr |
Mohr’s circle for plane stress |
12.10 |
HW26 |
27 |
W |
9-Apr |
Mohr’s circle for plane stress |
12.10 |
HW27 |
|
28 |
F |
11-Apr |
Failure theories |
15.5 |
HW28 |
|
29 |
13 |
M |
14-Apr |
Strain transformation; strain rosettes |
13.1-13.7 |
HW29 |
30 |
W |
16-Apr |
Generalized Hooke’s law |
13.8 |
HW30 |
|
31 |
F |
18-Apr |
Thin-walled pressure vessels |
14.1-4 |
HW31 |
|
|
14 |
M |
21-Apr |
In-class review for EXAM 3 |
|
|
|
W |
23-Apr |
No Class |
|
|
|
|
W |
23-Apr |
NIGHT EXAM 3 (Topic 1-31) |
|
|
|
32 |
F |
25-Apr |
Combined loading in 3D |
15.1-4 |
HW32 |
|
33 |
15 |
M |
28-Apr |
Combined loading in 3D |
15.1-4 |
HW33 |
34 |
W |
30-Apr |
Combined loading in 3D |
15.1-4 |
HW34 |
|
35 |
F |
2-May |
Buckling |
16.1-3 |
HW35 |
|
36 |
16 |
M |
5-May |
Stress concentrations |
5.7,6.10,8.9 |
HW36 |
|
W |
7-May |
In-class review for FINAL |
|
|
|
|
F |
9-May |
In-class review for FINAL |
|
|
Part 4: Grading Policy
Graded Course Activities
Percentage |
Description |
51 % |
Exams 1, 2, and 3 at 17% each |
21 % |
Final Exam |
20 % |
Homework |
8 % |
In-class Assignments |
Note: Course grades will not be curved.
Late Work Policy
Be sure to pay close attention to deadlines – there will be no make-up exams or late homework accepted without a serious and compelling reason and instructor approval.
Viewing Grades on Canvas
Points you receive for graded activities will be posted to the Canvas Grade Book page. Click on the My Grades link on the left navigation to view your points. Your instructor will update the online grades after each exam is graded. “Total” column does not reflect your current grade. Current grade may be estimated using weight distribution of all assessments mentioned above.
Letter Grade Assignment
Letter grades will be given only for the final course grade and will be no lower than the following grade scale
Letter Grade |
Percentage |
Performance |
A |
90-100% |
Excellent Work |
A- |
88-89.99% |
Nearly Excellent Work |
B+ |
85-87.99% |
Very Good Work |
B |
80-84.99% |
Good Work |
B- |
78-79.99% |
Mostly Good Work |
C+ |
75-77.99% |
Above Average Work |
C |
70-74.99% |
Average Work |
C- |
68-69.99% |
Mostly Average Work |
D+ |
65-67.99% |
Below Average Work |
D |
60-64.99% |
Poor Work |
D- |
58% - 59.99% |
Mostly Poor Work; some Failing |
F |
0 -57.99% |
Failing Work |
Part 5: Course Policies
Public Health
If you are not feeling well, you should stay home and focus on your health. Should you miss class due to illness, it is your responsibility to work with your instructor to arrange for accommodations and to make up coursework, as consistent with the instructor’s attendance policy.
Information on how to succeed in the course:
- Check your Iowa State email regularly
- Log into the course Canvas daily
- Check telegram group messages daily
- Communicate with your instructor and visit online office hours
- Start working on your assignments as soon as they are assigned
- Create a study schedule so that you don’t fall behind
- Resources for obtaining additional help, such as tutors, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction visit the
Academic Success Center website http://www.asc.dso.iastate.edu/
Build Rapport
If you find that you have any trouble keeping up with homework or other aspects of the course, make sure you let your instructor know as early as possible. As you will find, building rapport and effective relationships are key to becoming an effective professional. Make sure that you are proactive in informing your instructor when difficulties arise during the semester so that we can help you find a solution.
Understand When You May Drop This Course
It is the student’s responsibility to understand when they need to consider dis-enrolling from the course. Refer to ISU’s policy for dates and deadlines for registration. After this period, a serious and compelling reason is required to drop from the course. Serious and compelling reasons includes: (1) documented and significant change in work hours, leaving student unable to attend class, or (2) documented and severe physical/mental illness/injury to the student or student’s family.
Disability Accommodation
Iowa State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have a disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, please contact the instructor to set up a meeting within the first two weeks of the semester or as soon as you become aware of your need. Before meeting with your instructor, you will need to obtain an SAAR form with recommendations for accommodations from the Disability Resources Office (http://www.dso.iastate.edu/dr/student), located in Room 1076 on the main floor of the Student Services Building. Contact by phone at 515-294-7220 or email disabilityresources@iastate.edu. Retroactive requests for accommodations will not be honored.
Academic Dishonesty
The class will follow Iowa State University’s policy on academic misconduct (5.1 in the Student Code of Conduct). Students are responsible for adhering to university policy and the expectations in the course syllabus and on coursework and exams and for following directions given by faculty, instructors, and ISU Test Center regulations related to coursework, assessments, and exams. Anyone suspected of academic misconduct will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct in the Dean of Students Office. Information about academic integrity and the value of completing academic work honestly can be found in the Iowa State University Academic Integrity Tutorial.
Posting any course assignment that should be submitted for grading (exam problems, HW problems, in-class assignments, quizzes) on the internet at various websites (Chegg.com, Coursehero.com, etc.) is prohibited. If at any point it will be determined that a student has posted those assignments at any website and/or presented posted on internet (or otherwise obtained) solution as a student’s own solution, that student will receive F for the course, even if grades for those assignments have been posted on Canvas. If at any point it will be discovered that anyone provided exam solution (partially or fully) to others or presented not their own work on exam, then such students(who provided solutions to others, and who presented not their own work on exam) will receive F for the course.
Prep Week
This class follows the Iowa State University Prep Week policy as noted in section 10.6.4 of the Faculty Handbook.
Free Expression
Iowa State University supports and upholds the First Amendment protection of freedom of speech and the principle of academic freedom in order to foster a learning environment where open inquiry and the vigorous debate of a diversity of ideas are encouraged. Students will not be penalized for the content or viewpoints of their speech as long as student expression in a class context is germane to the subject matter of the class and conveyed in an appropriate manner.
No employee, student, applicant, or campus visitor is compelled to disclose their pronouns. Anyone may voluntarily disclose their own pronouns.
Discrimination and Harassment
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, Hotline 515-294-1222, email eooffice@iastate.edu
Inclusive, Professionalism and Mutual Respect
The classroom will be a place where everyone is treated with due respect. That includes accommodation of recipients’ choice of pronouns or titles. Your comments to others should be constructive and free from harassing statements. Strive to include everyone and select ideas and solutions on their merits, not based on prejudices and personalities. Mutual respect is expected inside and outside the classroom. Please contact the instructor if you have suggestions for improving the classroom environment.
Religious Accommodation
Iowa State University welcomes diversity of religious beliefs and practices, recognizing the contributions differing experiences and viewpoints can bring to the community. There may be times when an academic requirement conflicts with religious observances and practices. If that happens, students may request the reasonable accommodation for religious practices. In all cases, you must put your request in writing. The instructor will review the situation in an effort to provide a reasonable accommodation when possible to do so without fundamentally altering a course. For students, you should first discuss the conflict and your requested accommodation with your professor at the earliest possible time. You or your instructor may also seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office at 515-294-1020 or the Office of Equal Opportunity at 515-294-7612.
Accessibility Statement
Iowa State University is committed to assuring that all educational activities are free from discrimination and harassment based on disability status. Students requesting accommodations for a documented disability are required to work directly with staff in Student Accessibility Services (SAS) to establish eligibility and learn about related processes before accommodations will be identified. After eligibility is established, SAS staff will create and issue a Notification Letter for each course listing approved reasonable accommodations. This document will be made available to the student and instructor either electronically or in hard-copy every semester. Students and instructors are encouraged to review contents of the Notification Letters as early in the semester as possible to identify a specific, timely plan to deliver/receive the indicated accommodations. Reasonable accommodations are not retroactive in nature and are not intended to be an unfair advantage. Additional information or assistance is available online at www.sas.dso.iastate.edu, by contacting SAS staff by email at accessibility@iastate.edu, or by calling 515-294-7220. Student Accessibility Services is a unit in the Dean of Students Office located at 1076 Student Services Building.
Academic Issues
If you are experiencing, or have experienced, a problem with any of the above issues, email academicissues@iastate.edu.
Course policies are subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to check the course Canvas page for announcements and corrections or updates to the syllabus. Any changes will be posted in Canvas.
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