Strength of Materials

Abstract

Strength of materials is the science of engineering methods for calculating the strength, rigidity and durability of machine and structure elements. Elements of mechanical engineering and building structures during operation are subjected to the force action of different nature. These forces are either applied directly to the element or transmitted through joint elements. For normal operation of engineering structure or machine, each element must be of such sizes and shapes that it can withstand the load on it, without fracture (strength), not changing in size (rigidity), retaining its original shape (durability). Strength of materials is theoretical and experimental science. Experiment – theory – experiment – such is the dialectic of the development of the science of solids resistance to deformation and fracture. However, the science of strength of materials does not cover all the issues of deformable bodies mechanics. Other related disciplines are also involved: structural mechanics of core systems, elasticity theory and plasticity theory. Strength of materials is general engineering science, in which, on the basis of experimental data concernimg properties of materials, on one hand, and rules of theoretical mechanics, physics and higher mathematics, on the other, the general methods of calculating rational sizes and shapes of engineering structures elements, taking into account the size and character of loads acting on them are studied. Strength of materials tasks are solved by simple mathematical methods, with a number of assumptions and hypotheses, as well as with the use of experimental data. Strength of materials has independent importance, as the subject, knowledge of which are required for all engineering specialties. It is the basis for studying all sections of structural mechanics, the basis for studying the course of machine parts, etc. Strength of materials is the scientific basis of engineering calculations, without which at rescent time it is impossible to design and create all the variety of modern mechanical engineering and civil engineering structures. The peculiarity of this course book is its focus on performing the term paper in strength of materials, which includes 14 tasks covering the entire course. The manual summarizes the main material for the topic of each task, outlines the statement of the task, and examples of solutions. The appendices provide the example of term paper structure (title page, contents, example of solving the task) and reference materials needed for its performance. All this will contribute to deeper course learning and independent performance of the term paper.