MSE 2803: Historical Development of Engineering Materials

Summer 2017
Georgia Tech Lorraine
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Tom Sanders, Room 205
tom.sanders@mse.gatech.edu
WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS CLASS?
This course is designed as an engineering elective for those students who are
interested in the historical development of materials and the role they played in
society. The primary focus will be on metals, ceramics and oxide glasses. The
important characteristics such as strength, optical properties, and chemical stability
will be covered. Please note that this course is not intended to replace MSE 2001 it
is a different course emphasizing a different aspect to the ideas of materials
evolution.
LECTURES:
The lectures follow the material presented in the text, posted reading material and
on the power point slides on T-Square.
CLASS ATTENDANCE:
Attendance is necessary to successfully complete this class with a good grade. The
lectures
TERM PROJECTS:
There will be a mid-term individual report and one group project that will be
presented prior to Final Week. The assignment of the topics and the groups will be
made at the start of the semester.
EXAMINATIONS:
There will be three in-class, closed book examinations during the semester, and a
comprehensive final exam given during final week. If there is a legitimate excuse
for missing an examination it must be communicated first to Professor Voss and if
he approves he will inform me. The final exam will be given during the scheduled
exam period.
GRADE:
Your final grade will be computed based upon your performance on the in-class
exams and daily quizzes scaled according to the following proportions:
Examination 1 20%
Mid-term Paper
20%
Group Project
30%
Final30%
CATALOG DATA for MSE 2803:
Credits 3 (3-0-3).
Prerequisites: CHEM 1310.
Description: A historical presentation of materials will be presented that focuses on the
development and uses of ceramics and glasses; and metals and alloys. One of the topics to
be covered is concrete and its properties. Beginning with the Egyptians through the
Roman Empire and comparing these important precursors to modern concrete and cement.
Because of its superior properties aqueducts remain and some are located in and around
Metz. Another materials focus will be on the glass industry because of the importance of

France and Italy in the development of glass as art and how stain glass was incorporated in
the building of Gothic cathedrals. The cathedrals in Metz and Sainte-Chappelle in Paris are
outstanding examples of the impact of glass creating beautiful interiors providing
sanctuaries to the people. In addition lead was used in the construction of pipe organs that
produced exquisite sounds to enhance the church experience. The area between Metz and
Nancy, France had the raw materials necessary to produce wrought iron. The material
mined and processed in this part of France was used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower
and the Grand Palais in Paris. In addition to the Eiffel being and iconic landmark on the
skyline of Paris, the structure exemplifies pioneering structural design elements. Because
of the need to understand various aspects of materials microstructure and properties basic
materials behavior will be integrated throughout the course.
TEXTBOOK:
James P. Schaffer, Ashok Saxena, Stephen D. Antolovich, Thomas H. Sanders, Jr.
and Steven B. Warner, The Science and Design of Engineering Materials, Second
Edition, Irwin, Chicago, IL, 1999.
GOALS:
Because of the location of GTL and the development of many different materials
and structure the design of this course should augment your travels in Europe.
CORE TOPICS:
1. Introduction to Some iconic Structures in France: Roman Aqueducts in the
areas in and around Metz, The Pont du Gard aqueduct that crosses the
Gardon River in southern France and the role played by Roman Concrete;
the incorporation of glass in Gothic Cathedrals- Saint-tienne de Metz,
Sainte-Chapelle the royal chapel within the medieval Palais de la Cite,
Paris, and the glass atrium in Printemps, Paris; Gustave Eiffel and the Eiffel
Tower and the material from Lorraine, France; the Millau Viaduct in southwest France; and the use of wind power as an alternative energy source.
2. Introduction of the major classes of materials- Chapter 1 and 9 in text.
3. Time lines for the development and utilization of ceramics and glasses from
40000 BC; metals and alloys beginning in 9000BC and going through the
20th century; and composite materials.
4. Redox reactions and oxide stability- Ellingham diagrams.
5. Discussion of the techniques of metal extraction from the ores and how the
stability of the ore can be related to when the metal was first synthesized.
6. Extraction of iron and the fabrication of iron and steel from the Lorraine
region.
7. Roman concrete, cement, and construction.
8. Italy and France as centers for glass.
9. Incorporation of glass in Gothic cathedrals.
10. Extraction of iron and the fabrication of iron and steel from the Lorraine
region.
11. The Bronze and Iron Ages
12. Design of the Eiffel Tower.
13. The integration of design and materials necessary to construct modern
engineering structures.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
I expect all students in this class to respect the Georgia Tech honor code and behave
in a professional manner. Engineers have a responsibility to the public who
ultimately will use the products of their intellectual creations. Any students
violating the honor code will be turned over to the office of Academic Integrity,
Dean of Students to investigate the incident(s).