535.706.81 - Mechanics of Solids and Structures: Theory and Applications II

Expanded Course Description

This course provides an overview of the area of the mechanics of solids and materials, with the intent of providing the foundation for graduate students interested in research or advanced engineering practice that involves these disciplines. The course is based on the principles of continuum mechanics, and covers the fundamental concepts of elasticity, plasticity, and fracture as applied to materials. One objective is to get graduate students to the point that they can understand significant fractions of research seminars and papers in this area. This mathematically rigorous course emphasizes the setup and solution of boundary value problems in mechanics, and attempts to integrate the primary behaviors with deformation and failure mechanisms in materials. This course does not require Mechanics of Solids and Structures: Theory and Applications I as a prerequisite. It is recommended that students taking this course have taken a prior course in Mechanics of Materials, preferably at the upper-level undergraduate level.

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the course menu. A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates. 

Course Topics

• Index notation, tensors, coordinate systems
• Kinematics of solids, metric changes, linearized strain
• Strain compatibility
• Stress, balance laws, linear elasticity
• Boundary value problems: governing principles, plane elasticity
• Boundary value problems: Airy stress functions in plane elasticity
• Boundary value problems in Cartesian and polar coordinates
• Boundary value problems involving stress concentrations and singularities
• Torsion boundary value problems using St. Venant's Semi-Inverse method and Prandtl's stress functions
• Phenomenology of plasticity and mathematical formulation of plasticity laws
• Solution strategies for boundary value problems involving elastic-plastic behavior
• Thermoelasticity

Course Goals

To identify and use the general mathematical tools and equations describing the kinematics of solids to analyze the elastic, elastic-plastic, and thermoelastic mechanics of solids. Students will solve boundary value problems to obtain equilibrium displacement, strain, and stress fields throughout solids subjected to a variety of boundary conditions.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Identify and use the general mathematical tools and equations describing the kinematics of solids.
• Describe the mathematical models used to analyze the elastic, elastic-plastic, and thermoelastic mechanics of solids.
• Construct boundary value problems to analyze the behavior of materials and structures subjected to a variety of loading conditions.
• Select the appropriate approach for solving boundary value problems that combine the relevant equations and solution strategies.
• Simplify solution approaches based on dimensionality reduction, elasticity principles, and assumptions of solution features.
• Solve boundary value problems to obtain equilibrium temperature, displacement, strain, and stress fields throughout structures.

Textbooks

Sadd, M. H. (2020). Elasticity: theory, applications, and numerics. Academic Press. (Available online through the JHU Library)

Other Materials & Online Resources

Sadd, M. H. (2020). Elasticity: theory, applications, and numerics. Academic Press. (Available online through the JHU Library)

Student Coursework Requirements

Student assessment will involve:

• Homework assignments (50%), given in 11 of the 14 class Modules with problems designed to assess understanding of that module’s content.
• Completion of a midterm exam (17.5%) and a final exam (17.5%), given in Modules 10 and 14 to assess understanding of class content to-date. The exams will be closed-book and timed (using an honor system).
• Participation in asynchronous discussions on MS Teams (15%), which will involve providing a brief summary of reading assignments and asking questions to the instructor or class about reading or course content.

Grading Policy

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.