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Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering

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MPHY0003: Materials and Mechanics

Module information

Unit value: 0.5
Year of study: 1
Term: 2
Course organiser: Dr P Garcia Souto
Second examiner: Dr J Griffiths

Purpose

The purpose of this module is to provide students with general knowledge of statics, dynamics and materials such that they can apply it in a range of real life situations, with focus on the biomedical engineering applications.

Aims and Objectives

Upon completion of this module students should be able to:

  • Obtain free body diagrams of various systems.
  • Analyse forces in cantilever and simple supported beams and obtain sheer stress, bending moment and maximum bending moment.
  • Analyse simple structures using the method of the joints and the method of the sections and obtain the ground reactions and internal forces.
  • Describe material testing techniques, and analyse the stress vs. strain curve.
  • Define and apply terminology and relationships related to 2nd moment of mass, 2nd moment of area and radius of gyration.
  • Compare different materials according to a wide range of properties, select a given material(s) for a specific application, and discuss the reasons and implications for their choice.
  • Describe different failure modes of materials.
  • Define and apply terminology and relationships related to Newton Laws, translational and rotational motion, work, energy, momentum and impulse.
  • Understand the principles and need of Finite Element Analysis, and analyse simple shapes with the relevant software.
  • Describe the use of the Instron ElectroPuls E3000 equipment, operate its software to set up customized static and dynamic tests, and analyse the results of various endurance and fatigue tests.
  • Apply knowledge of mechanics and materials to biomedical applications.

Teaching and exams

Teaching will consist of:

  • Lectures, 24 hours.
  • Seminars/problem classes, 8 hours.
  • Labs, 12-17 hours.
  • Required written work (2 Moodle activities, problem sheets), 16 hours.
  • Project work, 30 hours.
  • Private reading, 42 hours.

The assessment will consist of:

  • 1 Unseen written examination (2 hours) worth 60% of the total course mark.
  • Labs, workshops, coursework & Moodle activities(attendance/completion): (total 40%)

Prerequisites

We assume that you have met the minimum entry requirements for our undergraduate degree programmes (i.e. A level Mathematics (grade A preferred), Physics and one other A level at ABB or above, or equivalent). If you feel you meet the prerequisites through a non-standard route, please contact the module organiser. All variants of the module (MPHY102P) have the same prerequisites.

Specific knowledge assumed:

Mathematics: Familiarity with manipulation of equations, trigonometry, differential and integral calculus (mixed polynomial and exponential functions), exponentials, vectors, and basic matrices. Basic analysis and presentation of data skills are required (Excel, Matlab, etc.)

Physics / Engineering: Familiarity with forces and resolution of systems of forces. Familiarity with Newton equations, potential and kinetic energy, work, mechanical equilibrium, moments and conservation of energy would be helpful. 

Biology: None, but need to be willing to grapple with the life science concepts introduced within examples and practical activities of the module.

Other: None, but be aware that this module has a substantial problem-based learning and lab work element which requires independent learning, working in small groups, and the use of computers.

Description

This module balances theoretical knowledge and its application in the lectures, and trains students during the laboratory sessions in three key practical skills of great value for all engineers, i.e. employing Finite Element Analysis, designing and running mechanical tests, and selecting a material based on the application and other requirements. Although this module has a biomedical flavour, it provides students with general and very valuable knowledge and skills that will make them more desirable to prospect employers in a wide range of areas, and will help them to succeed in their careers.

Brief Syllabus

Statics:
• Cantilever and simple supported beams; point loads vs. UDLs and weights; shear stress; bending moment; maximum bending moment.
• Structures: pin-jointed frames. Method of joints, method of sections
• Centre of mass and 2nd moment of mass; centroid and 2nd moment of area; and radius of gyration.
• Stress, strain, Young’s modulus and relation with structures and beams

Materials:
• Introduction to engineering materials and their properties.
• Possible failures of materials, e.g. brittle fracture, fatigue failure, oxidation and corrosion.
• Identification of requirements and selection of appropriate material from the available range.

Dynamics:
• Newton Laws, translational and rotational motion
• Work – energy, momentum, impulse.

Core Texts

There is a range of books at the UCL library. Students are encouraged to browse through the options and choose those which they find more useful for each topic covered in this module. A single book does not have all the answers and personal preferences are different.

However if you prefer the traditional way, see the reading list.