Mechanics of Materials

What is mechanics of
materials?
Studying mechanics of
materials
What will graduates do?
Mechanics of Materials at
Aalto University

What is mechanics of materials ?

Mechanics of materials is a specialization within
technical mechanics which studies how structures
behave during loading
Structures: bridges, airplane wings, ships, paper,
tennis racket, thigh bones,...
Behaviour: displacement, strain, stress, fracture,
damage, vibration

v2

Loading: static, variable, dynamic

v1

Studying Mechanics of Materials

Strength based design and assessment:

theoretical and experimental

Basic understanding of mechanics,

mathematics, physics, data processing and
materials

Numerical methods, vibrations, fracture,

materials models, light-weight design,
optimisation

Studying Mechanics of Materials

Simulation and virtual prototyping needs to consider the mechanics

and physical laws of how a component or system works: physics
based engineering

Mechanics brings realism to virtual reality

Studying Mechanics of Materials

Kul-49.4100 Finite Element Method II (5 cr)

Instructor: Dr Jouni Freund, senior lecturer
Teaching period: Autumn 2012

Required course

Kul-49.3400 Dynamics of Structures (5 cr)

Instructor: Dr Jyrki Kulla
Teaching period: Autumn 2012
Kul-49.4350 Fatigue of structures (5 cr)
Instructor: Prof. Gary Marquis
Teaching period: Autumn 2013
Kul-49.4500 Continuum mechanics and Material Modelling (5 cr)
Instructor: Dr. Kari Santaoja, senior lecturer
Teaching period: Autumn 2012
Kon-67.4206 Design and analysis of welded structures (3 cr)
Kon-67.4207 Design and analysis of welded structures project (2 cr)
Instructor: Prof Gary Marquis and Assistant Markus Suomi
Teaching period: Spring 2014
Kon-67.44XX Fracture of Materials (5 cr)
Instructor: lecturer Anssi Laukkanen and Prof Gary Marquis
Teaching period: Spring 2013

Select 3 of these 5 courses

What will graduates do?

Analysis, assessment and design of
structures
Computer models and simulations
Theoretical development
Experimental work in a laboratory of in
the field
Work is available!

Mechanics of Materials at Aalto

Numerical methods
University
Ice mechanics: ice loads on structures

Relationship between manufacturing methods and mechanical behaviour

Material modelling
Structural modelling
Experimental methods and assessment
Fatigue
Vibration
Strength

Suitable side-modules
Innovative Structural Design
Digital Design and Manufacturing
Product Development

Finnish employers

ABB
Andritz Oy
Auramo Oy
Bronto Skylift Oy Ab
John Deere Forestry Oy
Kalmar Industries Oy Ab
KCI Konecranes Oyj
Kesla Oyj
Loglift Jonsered Oy Ab
Metso Oy
Patria Vehicles Oy
Ponsse Ojy

Ruukki
Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
Stalatube Oy
Stressfield Oy
Teollisuuden Voima Oy
Unisigma Oy
Valtra
VR Engineering
Wrtsil
VTT

Mechanics of Materials courses

Kul-49.4100 Finite Element Method II (5 cr)
33 + 20 (3 + 2)
Time: period I-II in alternate years (may be taken during the first or second year of the programme)
Instructor: Dr Jouni Freund, senior lecturer
Contents: To expand the theoretical background and approaches of finite element method.
Requirements: Exercises, examination and project work.
Literature: To be announced.
Prerequisites: BS level Finite element method course or consent of instructor
Kul-49.3400 Dynamics of Structures (5 cr)
33 + 22 (3 + 2) I-II
Time: period I-II (may be taken during the first or second year of the programme)
Instructor: prof. Jukka Tuhkuri, senior lecturer Dr Kari Santaoja
Contents: Theory of mechanical vibrations, exact and approximate solutions for continuous systems, modal analysis, experimental determination of eigenmodes and frequencies.
Requirements: Exercises, mid-term examinations or final examination and project work.
Literature: Inman: Engineering Vibration, 2nd edition, Prentice-Hall.
Prerequisites: BS level course in Dynamics.

Mechanics of Materials courses

Kul-49.4350 Fatigue of structures (5 cr)
24 + 12 (2 + 1)
Time: period I-II in alternate years (may be taken during the first or second year of the programme)
Instructor: Prof. Gary Marquis
Contents: This course will cover principals of design to avoid fatigue failure of mechanical engineering components and structures. Topics introduction to fatigue, dynamic loading of
structures, statistical aspects of fatigue, simple elastic-plastic deformation models for structural materials, integrated FE analysis and fatigue assessment for welded structures. The
critical roles of stress concentrations, defects, surface finish and residual stresses on fatigue strength will be presented.
Requirements: Exercises plus examination
Prerequisites: BS level course in mechanics of materials or deformation and failure of materials.
Literature: Course notes and R. I. Stephens et al., Metal Fatigue in Engineering, 2nd ed., Wiley Inter-Science
Kul-49.4500 Continuum mechanics and Material Modelling (5 cr)
26 + 13 (2 + 1)
Time: period I-II in alternate years (may be taken during the first or second year of the programme)
Instructor: Dr. Kari Santaoja, senior lecturer
Contents: Thermomechanics of internal variables is studied in order that the student will be capable of testing material models. The local field equations are derived from the global
basic laws of nature. These field equations are the foundation for mechanics of materials and for thermomechanics. The Levenberg-Marquardt method for determination of the
values for the material parameters is derived. The capability of this method is evaluated by examples. At the end of the course the implementation of material models into
commercial finite element computer codes is studied by examples. After passing this course the student is familiar with the foundations of mechanics of materials, he/she can
implement a material model in the ABAQUS finite element programme and he/she can determine the values of the parameters for a material model.
Requirements: Examination and a voluntary assignment.
Literature: Lecture notes in English.
Prerequisites: BS level course in mechanics of materials or consent of instructor.

Mechanics of Materials courses

Kon-67.42XX Design and analysis of welded structures (2 cr)

(24+0)
Time: first year period III-IV
Instructor: Prof Gary Marquis
Contents: This course is intended for students with backgrounds in welding technology or applied mechanics who need advanced understanding of the interactions between
fabrication processes and structural performance. Topics include design and analysis methods for statically and dynamically loaded structures, the role of residual stresses,
performance enhancement methods and special requirements for complex structures. Requirements: Exercises and examination
Literature: English language course notes
Prerequisites: BS level course in mechanics of materials or deformation and failure of materials or consent of instructor
Note: Simultaneous registration in Kon-67.42XX Design and analysis of welded structures project (2 cr) is recommended
Kon-67.42XX Design and analysis of welded structures project (2 cr)
(24 + 0)
Time: first year period III-IV
Instructor: Prof Gary Marquis
Contents: This course is intended for students with backgrounds in welding technology or applied mechanics who need advanced understanding of the interactions between
fabrication processes and structural performance. Topics include design and analysis methods for statically and dynamically loaded structures, the role of residual stresses,
performance enhancement methods and special requirements for complex structures. Requirements: Project
Literature: English language course notes
Prerequisites: Simultaneous registration in Kon-67.4204 Design and analysis of welded structures (2 cr)