Academic Catalog - Virginia Military Institute Admissions

Virginia Military Institute
12-13 Catalogue
ceramic, polymer, and composite materials. Material stress-strain diagrams, fatigue, creep,
phase diagrams and heat treatment diagrams will be emphasized.
ME 201. STATICS 3—0—3
Vector and scalar methods in the composition and resolution of forces; moments of forces;
equilibrium in two or three dimensions; simple structures including trusses and frames;
shear and moment in beams; distributed loads; friction; centroids and centers of gravity.
Corequisite: MA 124 unless previously completed.
ME 203. PROGRAMMING TOOLS FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERS 1—2—2
Programming fundamentals and introductory instruction in the use of mathematical
application software. Focus will be upon problem solving techniques and logical solution
development.
ME 206. SOLID MECHANICS 3—0—3
A study of the behavior of non-rigid bodies when subjected to external tension, compression,
bending, torsional loads, or combination of these loads. Development of mathematical
expressions that relate external loads, member properties, and internal stresses, strains,
and deflections. Includes elastic and plastic stress theory. Prerequisites: MA 124, ME 109,
ME 110 and a grade of C or higher in ME 201.
ME 243/244 ME DESIGN COMPETITION PARTICIPATION 0—1—0.5
Participation in a student design team competition team for underclassmen. Prerequisite:
Permission of a team adviser.
ME 255-256. SUMMER RESEARCH 0—2—1 to 0—6—3
ME 355-356. SUMMER RESEARCH 0—2—1 to 0—6—3
ME 455-456. SUMMER RESEARCH 0—2—1 to 0—6—3
Offered to mechanical engineering cadets engaged in summer research. Prerequisite:
Permission of department head.
ME 302. DYNAMICS 3—0—3
Vector and scalar methods in kinematics, including absolute and relative motion of particles
and rigid bodies; kinetics, with solutions of rigid bodies by the methods of force, mass and
acceleration, work and energy, and impulse and momentum. Prerequisite: ME 201.
ME 311. THERMODYNAMICS I 3—0—3
A study of the first and second laws of thermodynamics; basic energy concepts; the
properties of liquids and vapors including enthalpy and entropy; ideal gas concepts and
relationships. Prerequisite: MA 124 and ME 203.
ME 313. THERMODYNAMICS II 3—1—3.5
Gas-vapor mixtures, psychrometry and air conditioning process; real and ideal power,
refrigeration, heat pump, and air compression cycles; fuels and combustion processes; energy
system design and computer applications; laboratory experience to reinforce theoretical
concepts to include engineering team experience and report writing. Prerequisite: A grade
of C or higher in ME 331.
ME 314. FLUID MECHANICS 3—1—3.5
Elementary mechanics of fluids. fluid properties; hydrostatics; fluid kinematics; equations of
motion; energy equation; momentum principles; flow of liquids and gases in closed conduits;
compressible flow; principles of dimensional analysis and dynamic similitude; laboratory
experience to reinforce theoretical concepts to include engineering team experience and
report writing. Prerequisite: MA 124, ME 201, ME 311.
ME 321. DYNAMICS OF MACHINERY 3—0—3
Application of kinematics and dynamics to the design of mechanical components. Analysis
and synthesis of the relationship between machine forces and motions. Prerequisite: ME 302.
ME 322. MECHANICAL ANALYSIS AND DESIGN 3—0—3
Review of stress and stiffness analysis. Introduction to failure theories, fatigue, finite
elements, and material selection as it pertains to design of machine elements. Prerequisite:
A grade of C or higher in ME 206.
ME 325. INSTRUMENTATION LABORATORY 1—2—2
Measurement of temperature, pressure, flow, strain, stress, force, velocity and displacement.
Interpretation of data curve fitting, statistics. Signal conditioning, digital data acquisition,
data recording. Static and dynamic systems. Prerequisite: WR 102 and ME 203.
ME 336. HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER 3—1—3.5
Fundamental principles of heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation are
examined. Provides an introduction to mass transfer. Contains elements of design of fins and
composite walls. Finite difference techniques are introduced. Includes laboratory experience
to reinforce theoretical concepts to include engineering team experience and report writing.
Prerequisites: ME 311 and MA 311.
ME 342. ANALYSIS AND CONTROL OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS 3—0—3
Analysis of dynamic system in both the time and frequency domain, with application to the
design of basic feedback control systems. Mechanical, electrical, thermal, and fluid systems
are considered. Topics include transfer function determination, frequency response, error
analysis, root locus techniques, stability analysis, linear and non-linear systems. Prerequisite:
MA 311 and EE 351.
ME 343/344 ME DESIGN COMPETITION PARTICIPATION 0—1—0.5
Participation in a student design team competition team for underclassmen. Prerequisite:
Permission of a team adviser.
ME 412. SOLAR ENERGY 3—0—3
A study of energy resources, consumption, policies and possible future energy scenarios
of the U.S.A. and the world. The study and practices of energy conservation principles
coupled to economic considerations. An in-depth investigation of Sun-Earth geometric
relations and calculations of extraterrestrial and terrestrial instantaneous and long-term solar
radiation on surfaces. The study of thermal characteristics of buildings related to passive
and superinsulation design technologies. The analysis and design of solar systems including
solar collector domestic hot water systems. A number of computer-aided design projects
are assigned during the course. Prerequisites: ME 311.
ME 413. AIRCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEMS 3—0—3
Design and analysis of atmospheric propulsion engines and systems. Thermodynamics,
combustion fundamentals, turbo machinery and the aerothermodynamics of inlets, diffusers,
combustors, and nozzles as related to the design of gas turbine and rocket engines and
components. Matching of propulsion system to vehicle requirements. Prerequisite: ME 313.
ME 414. TURBOMACHINERY 3—0—3
Theory and performance characteristics bearing on the design of fluid dynamic machines
such as centrifugal and axial flow pumps, fans, compressors, and turbines. Prerequisites:
ME 314 and ME 311.
ME 415. FLIGHT MECHANICS 3—0—3
Properties of the earth’s atmosphere. Aerodynamic parameters, generation of lift, airfoils
and wing theory. Boundary layer, aerodynamic drag. Aircraft performance: climb, range and
endurance. Introduction to stability and control. Prerequisite: 2nd class standing or higher.
ME 416. FUNDAMENTALS OF AERODYNAMICS 3—0—3
Introduction to differential analysis of fluid motion, incompressible external inviscid flow,
incompressible external viscious flow, steady one-dimensional compressible flow: Fanno
Line Flow, Rayleigh Line Flow, Normal Shocks. Prerequisites: ME 311 and ME 314.
ME 417. AIRCRAFT STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS 3—0—3
Introduction to the linear, static structural behavior relating to aircraft design. Classical
methods of analysis will be applied to practical problems. Prerequisites: ME 201 and ME 206.
ME 418. THERMAL ENVIRONMENT ENGINEERING 3—0—3
Analysis and synthesis of systems to produce control of the thermal environment of
enclosures for human occupancy, processes of special equipment. Psychrometrics of air,
heating and cooling load calculations, and systems design. Prerequisite: ME 311.
ME 419. THERMAL-FLUID SYSTEMS DESIGN 3—2—4
Application of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer to energy conversion
processes. Design of engines, heat exchangers, compressors, valves, fans, blowers, vessel
design, and power and refrigeration cycles. Prerequisite: ME 313, ME 314, ME 336.
ME 425. MECHANICAL DESIGN 3—2—4
Design of mechanical components subject to static and fatigue loads. Practical design
and applications of materials to power screws, fasteners, springs, bearings, gears, chains,
and belts. Design of power transmissions. Introduction to the finite element method.
Prerequisite: ME 322.
ME 427. INTRODUCTION TO AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS 2—2—3
Introduction to computer-aided manufacturing. Familiarization with standard manufacturing
processes. Study of commercial CNC programming languages, CNC mill operation and
CNC lathe operation, and pick-and-place robots. Extensive hands-on-operation of robots,
CNC units and machinery. Open-ended design of manufacturing processes and design for
manufacturability. Prerequisites: ME 110 and ME 109.
ME 431. POWER PLANT DESIGN 3—0—3
The production of power from the Rankine, Brayton, and combined cycles will be studied.
Realistic cycles similar to those found in current use will be analyzed. Consideration will
be given to economics, materials selection, and environmental concerns. Each cadet will
perform an economic analysis on a cycle design. The use of nuclear energy as a source of
thermal energy will be considered. Prerequisites: ME 313, ME 336, and ME 314.
ME 443. ME DESIGN COMPETITION 1—4—3
The first semester of a two semester sequence. A cadet team will design and build a working
device in order to compete in a national design competition. This first course is intended to
be coupled with ME 444 in the spring semester. Prerequisite: Permission of department head.
ME 444. MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DESIGN 1—4—3
A full-semester team-project internship. Cadets in three-person teams serve as consultants
to an industrial client. Emphasis on conducting a professional-level design study, and the
preparation of a verbal, plus written, report to industry. Prerequisites: ME 419 or ME 425.
ME 457. SEMINAR 0—1—0.5
Weekly seminars will cover job placement, graduate schools, ethics, design safety and
preparation for the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. Oral and written reports on engineering
ethics case studies are required.
ME 458. SEMINAR 1—0—0
Weekly seminars will provide preparation for the spring Fundamentals of Engineering Exam.
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