Laboratory Exercises For Statics And Mechanics Of Materials On A Shoestring

Abstract

This paper outlines the design, construction, and fabrication of seven laboratory exercises and a design project for a sophomore level integrated statics and mechanics of materials course. The academic setting in which the course was created is given along with an overview of the course content. Each laboratory and design project is described in detail, including photographs, drawings of the equipment, student work requirements, principles demonstrated, and equipment design and fabrication. The experiences of the authors and their students with these projects during the Fall 1999 offering of the course are presented, and other classroom activities to enrich student learning are suggested.

Fifteen-Plus Years of Strength of Materials with Pool Noodles and More!

“…Axial deformation and stresses • Rubber bands [4] or bungee cords [5] • Rectangular foam beam with grid markings [6] • Pipe insulation (foam) with square marking [7] • Surgical glove material with square and diamond markings [8] • Foam pool noodle [9] • Licorice [5], [10] Shear loading (single or double shear)…”

“…• Pinned connections made from wood [4] • Spaghetti in acrylic plastic shearing device [11] • Glued craft sticks [9] • Hole punch in paper [12] Bending deformation and stresses in beams…”

“…• Marshmallows [10] or silly putty [13] Centroids • Angle iron [4] • 3-D printed body [16] Moment of inertia • Rectangular foam beam [6] • Yardstick [6] or coffee stir sticks [14] Longitudinal shear in beam due to transverse loading…”

“…• Foam member (circular cross-section) with grid or square markings [6], [7] • PVC archery bow [17] Torsion loading and deformations • Circular foam member -pool noodle/pipe insulation with grid or square markings [4], [6], [7], [12], [13] • Styrofoam tube with square/diamond markings [8] • Licorice [10] • Small diameter plastic rod/tube or wooden dowel [12], rubber rod [5], or PVC pipe [17] • Cardboard tube [12] Torsion failure…”

“…• Chalk or Tootsie rolls [4], [7] • Pretzels or Licorice [9] Stress transformation • Rectangular foam beam with square markings [6] • Thin rubber sheet/glove [5], [8] or thick book [5], [11] with square and diamond markings…”