BS1159 Mechanics of Solids

Mechanics of Solids is an important subject in engineering which deals with the behaviour of solid bodies subjected to various types of loading. This field of study is also known as the ‘Mechanics of materials’, ‘Strength of materials’ and ‘Mechanical of Deformable bodies’.
This course in Mechanics of Solids gives you the opportunity to learn a basic engineering subject and, at the same time, develop your analytical and problem solving abilities.
Application deadline: 25th August

Considerable emphasis is placed on how to analyse mechanical and structural systems and most of the examples and problems require that you do some original thinking.

Mechanics of Solids studies the internal effects caused by the external loads acting on  real bodies that deform (objects that can stretch, bend or twist) The objective of an analysis in Mechanics of Solids is usually the determination of the  stresses, strains and displacements produced by the loads. If these quantities can be found for all values of load up to the failure load, we will have a complete picture of the mechanical behaviour of the body.

A thorough understanding of mechanical behaviour is essential for the safe design of all structures, whether buildings and bridges, machines and motors, submarines and ships, biomechanical devices and human prostheses. A successful design must address three mechanical concerns:

• Strength: Is the object strong enough to withstand the loads that will be applied to it?  Will it break or fracture? Will it continue to perform properly under repeated loading?
• Stiffness:  Will the object deflect or deform so much that it cannot perform its intended function?
• Stability: Will the object suddenly bend or buckle out of shape at some elevated load so that it can no longer continue to perform its function?

Contact Information

sciencetech@universityofgalway.ie

www.universityofgalway.ie/courses/adult-and-continuing-education-courses/science-technology-studies-degree