Mechanical Behaviour of Materials (B-KUL-H01J2A)

This is a translated version. Original version in Dutch.
6.0 ECTS Dutch 54.0 Second termSecond term Basic Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
POC Materiaalkunde

The goal of a material is to have one or several functions in an industrial application. This function (or one of these functions) often has a mechanical character: the material must be suited to transmit a force, or be resistant against forces, or pressure, or shocks. Conversely, it can also be desired for some applications that a material is very flexible and can easily be deformed. During production, materials are often intentionally deformed to give them a particular shape.
The way a material reacts on all this is called the mechanical behaviour of the material. The first goal of the course is to give the student insight in this mechanical behaviour at a rather scientific level: the level of the theory of stress- and strain tensors, the theory of elasticity and the mathematical theory of plasticity. The second goal is to use this scientific framework when providing insight in various aspects of crystal plasticity (relevant for metals), namely the behaviour of dislocation, and plastic anisotropy. The third goal is to use all this knowledge to learn to understand some metal forming processes.     

It is desirable that the student has some prior knowledge of mathematics, more specifically of analysis and of linear algebra.  Basic knowledge of physics and materials science is also desirable. It will be much easier for the student to understand this subject if she/he has taken already a course "Strength of Materials" (aplication-oriented) and/or "Applied Mechanics".

Cf the description of the content of the lecture: H01J2a

Syllabus


This course unit is a prerequisite for taking the following course units:
H01Q1C : Problem Solving and Engineering Design: Materials Engineering

Activities

5.2 ects. Mechanical Behaviour of Materials: Lecture (B-KUL-H01J2a)

5.2 ECTS Dutch 34.0 Second termSecond term
POC Materiaalkunde

Stresses and strains are defined and their nature as second rank tensors is explained. This requires (amongst other things) the transformation of reference frames, Mohr's circle, equilibrium of stresses and the theory of invariants of second rank tensors.
The basis of the theory of elasticity is given: stress-strain relationship, effect of crystal symmetry on it, field equations and solution methods, energy methods.
The mathematical theory of plasticity is given including Hill's theory of anisotropic materials.
An introduction is given to the theory of dislocations in crystalline materials, because they make the plastic deformation of metals possible. The main items are:  structure of dislocations, interactions between them, interactions with other defects. An application is the development of the theory of work hardening.  
Crystal plasticity is explained on the basis of the generalised Schmid law.
The tensile, torsion and hardness tests are shortly introduced.
The difference between ductile and brittle fracture is explained. A chapter deals with the physics of brittle fracture.
An overview on metal forming processes is given. The mathematical methods to analyse them are discussed. A few metal forming processes are dealt with in more detail: rolling, wire drawing, sheet metal forming including local and diffuse necking.

Cf the objectives of the course as a whole: H01J2A

Oral lectures: 17 lessons of 2 hours.

Course text

0.8 ects. Mechanical Behaviour of Materials: Exercises (B-KUL-H01J3a)

0.8 ECTS Dutch 20.0 Second termSecond term
POC Materiaalkunde

Exercise sessions on:
- stresses and strains
- theory of elasticity
- mathematical theory of plasticity
- theory of dislocations
- crystal plasticity
- metal forming processes

Cf the objectives of the course as a whole: H01J2A

8 exercise sessions of 2,5 hours

Bundles with examples of solved exercises

Evaluation

Evaluation : Mechanical Behaviour of Materials (B-KUL-H21J2a)

Mode of evaluation : Oral with written preparation
Category : final examination during examination period
Type of evaluation : Closed book

The exam consists of two theoretical questions and an exercise.