This Project requires you to analyse a ‘real-life' structure/element using the knowledge you have gained in Mechanics of Materials 2 so far.
You are required to form a group of 3 - 4. (Groups of 2 or 5, 6 will generally not be accepted). Your group will undertake to answer the following:
1. Identify a beam (e.g. from a bridge underpass or building, or supports a semi- trailer) that supports a significant load.
a) Take a photo(s) of the beam element and ensure you ascertain reasonably accurate dimensions of the beam element
b) Estimate the external loads and hence support conditions on the beam element (Refer to Australian Standard for load calculations)
c) Draw an accurate Shear Force Diagram (SFD) and Bending Moment Diagram (BMD) for the whole beam.
2. Using the constructed SFD and BMD diagrams,
a) Calculate and draw the elastic bending stress distribution across the critical section.
b) Calculate and draw the shear stress distribution across the critical section.
3. For your chosen beam calculate the maximum deflection using either,
a) The Elastic curve method or b) The Macaulay method.
In a bound report you need to show all your calculations, including explanation of how you worked out external loads on the member. You should have headings and subheadings and include an introduction and discussion of the selected structures.
Writing Reports in Engineering
Key features of reports
Reports:
- are designed for quick and easy communication of information
- are designed for selective reading
- use sections with numbered headings and subheadings
- use figures and diagrams to convey data
Basic Structure of a Report
A report usually has these components: Title page
Summary/Abstract Table of Contents Introduction
Middle sections with numbered headings Conclusions
References Appendices
1. Title page
The title page gives:
- the course name and number, the department and university
- the title of the report
- the authors' names, and ID numbers
- the date of submission
2. Summary
The Summary (~1/2 page) provides a brief overview of the substance of the report. The summary
- states the topic of the report
- outlines the most important findings of your investigation
- states the key conclusions
The summary does NOT
- provide general information
- explain why you are carrying out an investigation
- refer to later diagrams or references.
Example Summary
Summary from a report entitled: Preliminary Design of a Bridge.
Summary
This report presents a design for a bridge to be constructed on the Calder Freeway crossing Slaty Creek in the Shire of Macedon Ranges. Two designs for the bridge were devised and then compared by considering the cost, construction and maintenance of each bridge. Design 1 is a super-T beam bridge while Design 2 is a simple composite I girder bridge. It is concluded that Design 1 is the better design. This design is cheaper, easier to construct, more durable and easier to maintain.
3. Table of Contents
The table of contents sets out the sections and subsections and their corresponding page numbers.
- Number the sections by the decimal point numbering system:
Title of first main section (usually Introduction)
First subheading
Second subheading
Title of second main section
First subheading
Second subheading
First division in the second subheading
Second division in the second subheading
3.0 Title of third main section
- Number all the preliminary pages in lower-case Roman numerals (i,ii,iii,iv,...). You don't have to place the number i on the title page. Just count it and put ii on the second page of your report.
- Number all the remaining pages of your report with Arabic numerals (1,2,3,4,...). Thus your report begins on page 1 with your Introduction.
- Provide a title in your table of contents to describe the contents of each appendix (Note: one Appendix, two or more Appendices). Don't just call them Appendix 1 or Appendix 2.
4. Introduction
The introduction (~1/2-3/4 page) provides the background information needed for the rest of your report to be understood. It includes:
- a clear statement of the purpose of the investigation
- the background of the topic of your report
- a brief outline of the structure of the report if appropriate (this would not be necessary in a short report) .
5. Body of the report
The body of the report
- presents the information from your research, both real world and theoretical
- organises information logically under appropriate headings
- conveys information in the most effective way for communication:
- uses figures and tables
- can use bulleted or numbered lists
- can use formatting to break up large slabs of text.
Incorporating figures and tables:
- Refer to each figure and table in the text of the report. Example:
The communication channels in the organization are shown in Diagram 1.
- Give all figures a title.
Example:
Table 1 Existing communication channels
- The title of a table goes above the table while the title of a figure goes below the figure.
- Figures must be correctly referenced if necessary. Give the source of the diagram or the data if you have taken them from published sources.
Incorporating equations:
You will often have to include equations in your reports. The conventional style for presenting equations is as follows.
1. Centre the equation on the page.
2. Place the equation number in round brackets at the right-hand margin.
3. In the text of your report, refer to the equation as either Eq. (1) or equation (1). Use whichever format you choose consistently throughout your report.
6. Conclusions
The Conclusion (~1-2 paragraphs) relates directly back to the aims of the investigation. The Conclusions section provides an effective ending to your report. This section
- states whether you have achieved the aims of your investigation
- gives a brief summary of the key information in your report
- restates the major findings of your investigation
7. References
The two parts to referencing are:
1. citations in the text of the report
2. a list of references in the final section.
Citations show that information comes from another source.
8. Appendices
These contain material that is too detailed to include in the main report.
- Each appendix must be referred to at the relevant point in the text.