MAE244 Dynamics and strength laboratory SYLLABUS a.

MAE 244 Syllabus

1. Course Goals:
The purpose of this course is to experimentally examine concepts developed in
static, dynamics and strength of materials courses. Students will have the opportunity to
test theories proposed in these courses, check the validity of assumptions and explore
limitations of the theory. They will also gain hands on experience with test equipment and
develop their writing skills through the preparation of lab reports.

2. Course Description:
Students will conduct basic experiments in dynamics and strength of materials,
including mechanical properties and stress-train curves of materials under tension, shear
and tension, shear and torsion, Electrical resistance strain gages, stress concentrations
through fringe pattern analysis, hardness, fatigue, and fracture of metals, vibration of
components.

3. Course Outcomes:
This course contributes to outcomes: (a) an ability to apply knowledge of
mathematics, science, and engineering; (b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as
well as to analyze and interpret data; (e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve
engineering problems; (g) an ability to communicate effectively; (k) an ability to use the
techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice;

4. Instructor: Konstantinos A. Sierros

263 ESB (new addition)
293-3111 ext.2310
kostas.sierros@mail.wvu.edu

5. Office Hours: W and Th, 9:30 – 10:50 am

6. Course Web page: http://thinmaterials.blogspot.com

7. Textbook: For notes and lab material please visit the Course Web Page
Textbooks of MAE 241, 242, 243.
Practical Physics, 3d Edition, C. L. Squires, Cambridge University
Press

8. Optional Refs.: Experimental Stress Analysis, by James W. Dally and William F.

Riley, McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1991.

9. Prerequisites: MAE 241, MAE 242 and MAE 243

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10. Course Requirements

Attendance: Attendance and participation count for 10% of the course grade.
Students are required to attend and participate in all labs.
Participation points are lost in case of being late to class or failing to
contribute to performing the experiment. Every effort should be
made to inform the instructor or T.A. if a schedule conflict exists (in
extreme circumstances), so that arrangements can be made to make
up the lab during a different session. Please do not bring food or
drinks to class.

Prelab Quiz: Take home pre-lab quizzes are found at the end of this manual
laboratory exercise. Pre-lab quizzes must be completed and turned
in at the start of the lab session. No late pre-lab quizzes are accepted.

Lab Reports: Mandatory: 10 point penalty for each day late (Maximum 30 points).
Reports are due at the start of the next lab session. Lab report must
be submitted by each student. According to the guidelines for
writing a lab report in this manual, reports should be prepared using
a word processor for text and graphics package for data plotting. The
students are also encouraged to use Pro ENGINEER TM for the
schematic representation of the lab test setup and the associated
modeling analysis.

Ethics: Each student must submit their own report. No photocopying except
for lab data sheets. Students are encouraged to discuss lab reports
with other students, but lab reports must be original and from one
student. Reports that resemble another student’s report will be
returned with a score of zero. Students are responsible for following
the rules and guidelines for academic honesty and plagiarism that are
specified in the Student Handbook.

Grading: For a 'normal' distribution, final grades will be based on an average of all lab
scores and according to the following scale.
90 - 100 A
80 - 89 B
70 - 79 C
60 - 69 D
0 - 59 F
Depending on the distribution, however, the grades may be 'curved'. An average grade is a
C. The instructor reserves the right to raise a student’s grade by one letter depending on the
student’s overall performance.

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Grading Policy of Laboratory Exercises

Attendance: 10%
Prelab Quizzes: 20%
Short Lab Reports 70%
________
100% Total
The format outlined below will be required of the regular lab reports. Reports that do not
follow the format will be returned without a grade. It should be noted that this format is
very typical from many university lab report formats and is not too different from the
format required for manuscripts in technical journals. Refer to "Guidelines for Writing a
Lab Report" for specific directions. Format of the short lab reports will be explained in
class.

Report Grading:

Cover Page and Introduction 10 pts

Schematic of setup 5 pts

Experimental Results 30 pts

Discussion 10 pts

References and Appendix 5 pts

(Data sheet must be enclosed)

Neatness, arrangement, spelling 10 pts

completeness, Tables and Graphs
(construction and appearance)

Total 70 pts

11. Statement on Social Justice:

WVU is committed to social justice. The instructor of this course concurs with WVU’s
commitment and expects to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open
communication and mutual respect and nondiscrimination. Our University does not discriminate
on the basis of race, sex, age disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color, or
national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment will
be appreciated and given serious consideration. If you are a person with a disability and
anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise
us and make appropriate arrangements with Disability Services (293-6700).