SOLID MECHANICS 1 (BDA 10903)

PROJECT 1

Objective of the project:

1. to study an engineering problem and propose appropriate solutions based on the knowledge
of solid mechanics (C2, LO1).
2. to demonstrate good understanding and commitment within a group in solving the given
problem (A3, LO5).
3. to write a technical report related to solid mechanics’ project (C2, LO11).

Background of the project:

A beam is a structural member that is designed to support multiple transverse loads that are applied
perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The beam resists the loads by a combination of internal
transverse shear force (from the shear stress distribution) and bending moment (from normal stress
distribution). Figure 1 shows a simply supported beam, subject to a transverse load, P.

Figure 1: A simply supported beam subject with load.

Work in a group of 4-5 members to construct a beam for the above application. The required
specifications and design considerations are as follows:

(i) The beam should be built using the selected materials, i.e., ice-cream sticks. The result of
tensile test for the ice-cream stick is given in Appendix 1. Enhancement of the beam using
other materials is allowed as long as the materials cost is presented with valid proofs.
(ii) The beam should be able to support a transverse load, P, of a least 10N. Length L of the
beam is fixed to the length of the ice-cream stick.
(iii) The total cost should be kept as minimum as possible. The cost will be calculated based on
the cross-sectional area (e.g., I or T shape) of ice-cream sticks and other enhancement
materials (if any) used in this project.

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Assessment scheme:
The project will be evaluated through a demonstration of the designed beam under loading (50%)
and a report writing (50%).

Format of the report (to fulfil the requirement of PLO11 – Problem Analysis):
The report should consist of the following:
(i) Front page (refer to Appendix 2)
(ii) Chapter 1: Introduction (objectives and scopes)
(iii) Chapter 2: Description of the proposed beam including calculation of the cost
(iv) Chapter 3: Theoretical calculations relevant to the beam (e.g., on shear force, bending
moment, moment of inertia of the beam’s cross-sectional area, maximum stress and
etc.)
(v) Chapter 4: Experimental procedure, results and discussion.
(vi) Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommendations.
(vii) References
(viii) Appendices (if any)

Submission date:
The report should be submitted by the end of this course.

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