515.635.81 - Mechanical Properties of Materials

Expanded Course Description

This course uses a new online video format using “Lightboard.” This format mimics the interactive nature of an in-person class with the convenience of watching, pausing, and re-watching videos at your own pace. Students are expected to actively take notes while watching videos. Taking notes will be critical to learning the material and working through homework and exam problems.

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking 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

• Mechanical Properties vs Statics
• Introduction to Stress, Strain, and Tensors
• Elastic Properties of Crystals
• Elastic Properties of Isotropic Materials and Composites
• Introduction to Defects in Crystal Structures
• Plastic Properties-Dislocations in Motion
• Stress-Strain Curves and Mechanical Characterization Techniques
• Flow Stress and Strain Rate Dependencies
• Introduction to Failure and Crack Propagation
• Cyclic Loading and High Temperature Operating Conditions
• Thin Film and Nanostructured Materials
• Polymers and Viscoelastic Behavior
• Properties in the Context of Design Constraints

Course Goals

By completion of this course a student should be able to (1) identify the relationships between the structure and processing of a material and its resultant mechanical properties, (2) process experimental data to determine key mechanical properties information, and (3) work with a team to investigate and present a survey project relating mechanical properties to a real-world technical challenge.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Select appropriate materials for applications using design constraints
• Analytically model and predict elastic and plastic behavior in single crystal, isotropic, and composite materials
• Correlate micro and nano structures and defects to mechanical behavior
• Design materials to reach target elastic, plastic, and failure properties
• Evaluate elastic and plastic properties from destructive and non-destructive mechanical characterization experiments
• Assess failure mechanisms in materials and predict component lifespan

Textbooks

Mechanical Properties of Engineered Materials, W.O. Soboyejo (available online through the JHU Library)

Other Materials & Online Resources

Optional Textbooks: Materials Selection in Mechanical Design by Ashby (2nd edition or later)
ISBN-13: 978-0081005996
ISBN-10: 0081005997

Student Coursework Requirements

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting (tentative):

(30% of final grade) Take-home exams (individual assignment):
Exams will be open book and open notes. Students will have unlimited time over the one week to complete the exams, however the exams are designed to take approximately 3 hours. Exams will typically consist of short problem solving. Students may not discuss problems with any other persons or post questions to online forums for help. Students may consult existing online resources (i.e. Wikipedia), journal articles, or published books.

There will be two exams, one take home exam will be given out during Module 7 and the other will be distributed during Module 13. Each exam will be worth 15% of the final grade for a total of 30%.

(30% of final grade) Homework (individual assignments):
There will be 4-5 equally weighted homework assignments given throughout the semester. Students are allowed to use external resources and encouraged to work with each other to discuss the homework assignments. However, final work must be completed and turned in individually by students. Homework will comprise a total of 30% of the grade.

(15% of the final grade) Discussions and Literature Searches:
Students are expected to respond accordingly to discussion and literature search prompts. Topics will be posted approximately every other week and students are expected to write a short (250 words or less) description of a relevant journal article or application relevant to the proposed topic with links or citations for any references.

(20% of the final grade) Team Design Project (Group):
Students will collaborate in teams of at least 3 over the course of the semester on a mechanical design project to conclude in a <5 page report and a 10 minute presentation at the end of the course. Throughout the semester, teams will complete components of the project including an introduction, motivation, design constraint identification, property requirements, material selection, etc. These segments will be submitted to the instructor for specific feedback throughout the semester before the final report and presentation.

Grading Policy

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).

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.