NBE 135 Strength of Materials

• NBE 135 Strength of Materials is taught within the Department of Building Technology, Faculty of Built and Natural Environment at Takoradi Technical University.
• The course is for the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year.

Course Description

• The course code for Strength of Materials is NBE 135.
• The class for this course is BTech Construction Technology One.
• The course is worth 2 credit hours.
• The course is taught through lectures and practical exercises.

Course Rationale

• The course aims to enable students appreciate the fundamental principles behind the strength of engineering materials.
• Students will learn how these materials are used in construction.
• Building designs must adhere to certain standards that are legally binding.
• Student engineers should understand the principles of safety and functionality in building design.
• These principles are related to the strength of the materials used.

Instructor Information

• The lecturer for the strength of materials course is Ing. Andrew Dowuona.
• Ing. Andrew Dowuona is a Full Time lecturer.
• Ing. Dowuona's office is on the 3rd Floor of the Oduro Block.
• He can be contacted via phone or WhatsApp at 0243224491.
• His email address is [email protected].

Course Objectives

• Students will know the mechanics of structural materials.
• Students will appreciate the stress and strain characteristics of materials, including the stress/strain curve.
• Students will appreciate the mechanical behaviors of materials.
• Students will be able to identify and evaluate construction materials for engineering applications.
• Students will be able to select suitable building materials for various structural components.

Course Topics

• Introduction to Structural Design
• Normal/ Shear Stress
• Normal /Shear Strain
• Compound Bars
• Design Process and Stress Strain Curves
• Mechanical Behavior of Materials
• Deformations

Assignments and Grading

• Class assignments account for 20% of the final grade.
• In-class exams account for 20% of the final grade.
• Mid-semester exams account for 20% of the final grade.
• End of Semester Exams account for 40% of the final grade.
• Total grade is out of 100%.
• Class attendance and contribution will be part of the assessment.
• Other assessment methods include in-class exams, quizzes, directed readings, mid-semester and end of semester examination.

Teaching Strategies

• Teaching strategies will include lectures, presentations and practical assignments.

Resources

• The course uses "Statics and Strength of Materials for Architectural and Building Construction" by Barry Onouye and Kevin Kane, published by Pearson in 2011.
• Resources also include “Strength of Materials (For Polytechnic Student)" by S.S. Bhavikatti, published by Vikas Publication in 2014.

Course Calendar

• Weeks 1-2: Introduction including lecturer and course overview, reference books, design and factor of safety.
• Weeks 3-5: Direct Stress and Strain, covering topics such as Direct/ Normal Stress, Normal Strain, thermal expansion, stress/strain relationships, calculations.
• Weeks 6-8: Shear Stress and Strain including Poisson's Effect, calculations involving Shear Stress, Shear Strain and Modulus of Rigidity.
• Week 9: Mid-Semester Exams.
• Weeks 10-11: Analysis of Plane Stresses.
• Weeks 12-13: Mechanical Behavior of Materials, including deformations, creep, fatigue, yield strength, classification and properties of engineering materials.
• Week 14: Exams

Grading Guidelines

• A+ is 85-100
• A is 80-84.99
• B+ is 75-79.99
• B is 70-74.99
• C+ is 65-69.99
• C is 60-64.99
• D+ is 55-59.99
• D is 50-54.99
• F is less than 50

Course Instructions

• Students are expected to read around the topic before attending lectures.
• Students are to attend all lectures.
• Students should dress decently to lectures.
• Cell phones should not be used during lectures.
• Reference materials will be provided during lectures.