Level 6 Graduate Diploma in Engineering (9210-01) - City & Guilds

Unit 130 Mechanics of machines and strength of
materials
Level: 6
Introduction
This unit covers two basic areas, mechanics of machines and strength of materials. Mechanics of
machines deals with mechanisms and machines when they work as mechanical systems, and
fundamentals of kinematics and kinetics of systems of particles and rigid bodies. Strength of
material deals with analysing strength of machine elements and structural members under service
conditions. The fundamental concepts of the two subject areas provide an opportunity for the
learner to study mechanisms and machines, their behaviour and strength of materials of machine
components and structural members.
Unit aim
The aim of this unit is to provide the relevant theoretical concepts supported by practical exercises
in order to provide the ability to analyse and understand various mechanisms and mechanical
systems in engineering applications, and to analyse machine components and basic structural
members for strengths before failure occurs.
Learning outcomes
There are ten learning outcomes to this unit. The learner will:
1. Explain static equilibrium, Newton's laws, and calculation of reaction and internal forces and the
basic concepts of different stresses and strains and determine stresses and strains of
components under loading conditions.
2. Solve problems involving simple and combined modes, including torsion and bending.
3. Analyse and design beams under bending loads and calculate deflection of beams using several
methods, including energy method.
4. Explain buckling of columns under different loading conditions.
5. Explain kinematic concepts of link mechanisms and their velocities and accelerations.
6. Explain the concepts of friction and friction devices.
7. Explain fundamental of vibration of rotating masses and the need to balance rotating masses
and determine unbalanced forces of systems with rotating masses and balance them.
8. Explain the principles, and explain use and application of different governors and cams.
9. Perceive vibration principles and develop skills in modelling simple vibratory systems with first
degree of vibration to solvable models.
10. Explain the use of flywheel in machines, turning moment diagram and fluctuation of energy and
law of conservation of energy.
Guided learning hours
It is recommended that 150 hours should be allocated for this unit of which 90 should be direct
taught hours and the remainder for laboratory practical work and independent study. The unit may
be carried out on a full time or part time basis.
142 Level 6 Graduate Diploma in Engineering (9210-01)