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- This course is an introduction to engineering concepts used in many fields of engineering and technology. It is the perfect starter-course for high school students who are interested in technology, engineering, computers, electronics/mechanics, and/or skilled trades.
- Class structure: The class will alternate weeks between online Zoom lectures and in-person hands-on labs.
- The required books are shown above: Principles of Engineering, by Handley, Coon, Marshall, ISBN 978-1435428362 Amazon link and Principles of Engineering (Workbook), by Singer, Phillips, French, ISBN 978-1435428379 Amazon link
- You will need access to a relatively modern computer with internet connection. A computer less than 5 years old should suffice. You will need a webcam and mike to participate in the class.
- CAD: We will be using Onshape free design software.
Outline
Ch. 3: Machines
Ch. 4: Mechanisms
Ch. 5: Energy
Ch. 6: Electrical Systems
Ch. 7: Fluid Power
Ch. 9: Materials
Ch. 10: Properties of Materials
Ch. 12: Design of Structures
Pacing: We'll average about 4 weeks on each chapter.
Ch. 3: Machines
Ch. 4: Mechanisms
Ch. 5: Energy
Ch. 6: Electrical Systems
Ch. 7: Fluid Power
Ch. 9: Materials
Ch. 10: Properties of Materials
Ch. 12: Design of Structures
Pacing: We'll average about 4 weeks on each chapter.
Chapter 3: Machines
We start out by looking at the "six simple machines" that form the basis of all mechanical devices. These are the lever, inclined plane, wedge, wheel & axle, pulley, and screw. We'll explore the important engineering concept of "mechanical advantage", and design simple systems that maximize efficiency and power.
Below: Machines used in packaging and manufacturing
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Assigned reading
Read Ch. 3
Read Ch. 3
Homework
Due dates are in Canvas
Due dates are in Canvas
- Workbook Exercise 3.1: Work and Power
- Workbook Exercise 3.2: Mechanical Advantage
- Simple machines practice problems (handout below)
| Simple_Machines_practice_problems_.docx |
| Easy isometric exercises 1 thru 4.pdf |
| CAD_2D_exercises_6-26_thru_6-30.pdf |
Onshape tutorials
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Simple machines
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| 3._simple_machines_practice_problems_anskey.pdf |
| Exercise_3.1_student_example.pdf |
| 3._exercise_3.2__probs_3.1-3.4__student_example.pdf |
| 3._exercise_3.2__probs_3.5-3.8__student_example.pdf |
Chapter 4: Mechanisms
In this unit we are looking at mechanisms: linkages, cams, and bearings... and gears, sprockets, and chain drives. These are the building blocks of all machinery, robotics, wind turbines, car engines, and so on. We'll investigate the benefits and drawbacks of different gears and gear trains, pulley systems, and chain-sprocket systems, and how to optimize for speed and torque.
Below: A car engine is a perfect illustration of linkages, cams, and bearings
Below: A car engine is a perfect illustration of linkages, cams, and bearings
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Gear types: Compound Gear Train, Worm Gear, Rack & Pinion
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Assigned reading
Read Ch. 4
Read Ch. 4
| PowerPoint_gears pulley drives sprockets_.pptx |
| Gears Pulleydrives Sprockets practice problems.pdf |
| 4._combination_machine_problem_handout.docx |
| 4._combination_machine_problem_handout.pdf |
| washer_lift_design_challenge.docx |
| CAD - (24)_beginner_practice_exercises.pdf |
| CAD - 3D exercises 7-68 thru 7-85.pdf |
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| 4.1_calculating_cam_displacement_-_student_example.pdf |
| 4.2_calculating_gear_train_speed_and_torque_-_student_example.pdf |
| Gears_pulleydrives_sprockets_practice_problems_answer_key_.pdf |
Chapter 5: Energy
Energy production and storage are hot topics right now. We'll investigate both traditional and renewable energy sources, and complete a Solar Energy and Wind Energy design project using design software.
Labs
Labs
- Solar design
- Wind Energy design
- Hydrogen lab: Make hydrogen from solar
- Nuclear Reactor weblab
Wind Turbines are a perfect example of gear trains, mechanisms, and electronics
Assigned reading
Read Ch. 5
Read Ch. 5
| 5. Thermodynamics activity_1.3.3.docx |
CAD project: Oldham Coupling
This is a good easy-beginner assembly project. Step-by-step instructions below. There's also a good video tutorial.
This is a good easy-beginner assembly project. Step-by-step instructions below. There's also a good video tutorial.
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| 1. oldham_coupling__create the disc_flange_shaft_key.pdf |
| 2. oldham_coupling__create_the_assembly.pdf |
| 3. oldham_coupling__create_the_exploded_view.pdf |
| 4. oldham_coupling__create_the_dwgs.pdf |
PVWatts Solar Energy design exercise
Design a residential rooftop solar system. Calculate the payback period.
Design a residential rooftop solar system. Calculate the payback period.
| 5._pvwatts_solar_energy_design_exercise_-_instructions.docx |
RETScreen Wind Energy design exercise
Design a 1,000 kW wind turbine system in a location of your choice. Calculate the costs and payback period.
Design a 1,000 kW wind turbine system in a location of your choice. Calculate the costs and payback period.
Live Wind Map here earth.nullschool.net/
| 5._wind_energy_design_exercise_-_instructions.docx |
Chapter 6: Electrical Systems
We will breadboard circuits and learn the basic elements of electricity: volts, amps, ohms, and Watts. We will learn how to apply Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Laws to a variety of circuit designs.
Electrical storage is also important, and we'll build several battery types from scratch using basic raw materials, in order to understand their pros and cons.
Electrical storage is also important, and we'll build several battery types from scratch using basic raw materials, in order to understand their pros and cons.
Assigned reading
Read Ch. 6
Read Ch. 6
| 6._dc_circuits_slides.pptx |
| 6._circuit_calculations_exercise_.pdf |
| 6._ohms_law_exercise__.docx |
Labs
| 6._circuit_build_lab__ |
| Zn-MnO2_battery_lab_handout.docx |
| Aluminum-Air_battery_lab_handout.pdf |
| Mg-MnO2_battery_lab_handout_3pp.docx |
| Battery_labs_student_exemplars.pdf |
Chapter 7: Fluid Power
Here we learn the fundamentals of hydraulic and pneumatic fluid power. These have applications in many areas: cars and trucks, robotics used in manufacturing, machinery of all kinds, and even big engineering projects like dams, water supply, and hydroelectric systems.
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Assigned reading
Read Ch. 7
Read Ch. 7
| 7._pneumaticpower_slides.ppt |
| 7._hydraulic_power_slides.ppt |
| 7._fluid_power_practice_problems.doc |
| 7._hydraulics_practice_problems_.docx |
Chapter 9: Materials
Whether you're designing a house, a robot arm, or a medical device - selecting the right materials is important. Engineered materials include metals, alloys, concrete, wood/timber, polymers, ceramics, and composites. We'll explore the applications and properties of these materials.
Assigned reading
Read Ch. 9
Read Ch. 9
| 9._engineering_materials_slides_.pptx |
Lab
Make and test Roman concrete
Make and test Roman concrete
Exercise 1: Metals
| 9._materials_exercise_1_-_metals.docx |
| standard_specification_for_structural_steel.pdf |
Exercise 2: Wood/Timber
| 9._materials_exercise_2_-_wood-timber.docx |
| allowable_span_tables.pdf |
Exercise 3: Concrete
| 9._materials_exercise_3_-_concrete.docx |
| Estimating concrete pad |
| Sheet A1: Utility shed drawing |
| information bulletin_140_17pp.pdf |
Chapter 10: Material Properties
Let's say you are designing a phone case, a robot arm, or a mounting bracket for a camera: You must consider the various forces which will act on your object. Forces are caused by external loads (gravity, back-and-forth movement, acceleration, or collision with another object), and can act in tension, compression, torsion, and shear - causing deformation of the thing you're designing (bending, twisting, stretching). We try to predict the effects on our proposed-design (will it bend, will it crack, will it break) by considering the important concepts of stress and strain.
In this unit we will solve simple engineering problems involving the basic elements of design.... beams, columns, shafts, rods, cables, etc.
In this unit we will solve simple engineering problems involving the basic elements of design.... beams, columns, shafts, rods, cables, etc.
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Assigned reading
Read Ch. 10
Read Ch. 10
| 10._material_properties_slides_.pptx |
| 10._stress_strain_calculations_.docx |
Labs
Beam Deflection lab
Stress-Strain lab
Beam Deflection lab
Stress-Strain lab
Research and Report: Engineering Failures class presentation
Optional assgmt if we have time. We'll take a vote when we get here.
Optional assgmt if we have time. We'll take a vote when we get here.
| engineering_failures_flaws_and_flops_student_handout.docx |
| I-35_bridge_collapse_assignment_rev..docx |
| I-35 Bridge Disaster slides |
| 13._hyatt_walkway_collapse_case_study.docx |
| 13._schulman_-_hyatt_regency_PowerPoint.pptx |
| 13._bernhardt_-_hyatt_collapse article in Structure Magazine.pdf |
| miami_pedestrian_bridge_bid package with blueprints(post tensioning details p.115) |
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Beam Deflection lab
A 2x4 is set up with simple end supports to function as a timber beam. Measured loads are applied to the beam, and it's maximum deflection is carefully measured. By calculating the beam's moment of inertia, together with it's modulus of elasticity, we can predict the beam's bending behavior and compare with the actual results. This illustrates the procedure used in all engineered structures, regardless of whether we use timber, steel, aluminum, or plastics.
By using different configurations (vertical, horizontal, I-beam, cantilevered, etc) we can see how the 'moment of inertia' affects the bending properties of beams, channels, brackets, arms, plates, etc.
A 2x4 is set up with simple end supports to function as a timber beam. Measured loads are applied to the beam, and it's maximum deflection is carefully measured. By calculating the beam's moment of inertia, together with it's modulus of elasticity, we can predict the beam's bending behavior and compare with the actual results. This illustrates the procedure used in all engineered structures, regardless of whether we use timber, steel, aluminum, or plastics.
By using different configurations (vertical, horizontal, I-beam, cantilevered, etc) we can see how the 'moment of inertia' affects the bending properties of beams, channels, brackets, arms, plates, etc.
| 11._beam_deflection_lab_handout__pltw_activity_2.1.2_.docx |
| beam_deflection_lecture_notes.docx |
Stress-Strain lab
By modeling a "cable" made of plastic wrap (a PVC plastic), and loading it with increasing amounts of weight, we can measure and plot its Stress-Strain curve. From the curve, we can calculate the modulus of elasticity and yield stress of the PVC material, and compare with the published values for that material. This has direct application to many engineering designs, such as the steel supports which failed in the Hyatt Hotel pedestrian walkway collapse, and the post-tensioning rods which gave way in the Florida Int'l University bridge collapse above.
By modeling a "cable" made of plastic wrap (a PVC plastic), and loading it with increasing amounts of weight, we can measure and plot its Stress-Strain curve. From the curve, we can calculate the modulus of elasticity and yield stress of the PVC material, and compare with the published values for that material. This has direct application to many engineering designs, such as the steel supports which failed in the Hyatt Hotel pedestrian walkway collapse, and the post-tensioning rods which gave way in the Florida Int'l University bridge collapse above.
| plastic_wrap_stress_strain_curve_lab_-_student_exemplar.pdf |
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Chapter 12: Structures
We have studied materials and material properties. Now we're ready for simple-beginner structural design exercises: Truss, Bridge, Steel Building
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Assigned reading
Read Ch. 12
Read Ch. 12
Labs
We'll do what we have time for:
We'll do what we have time for:
- Truss lab
- Bridge design
- Steel Bldg design
| 12a._force_vectors_lecture_slides.pptx |
| 12a._freebodydiagrams_how_to_draw_.pptx |
| 12c._truss_calculations_method-of-joints_.pptx |
Truss design
Bridge design
| 12c._bridge_design_problem_using_md_solids.docx |
| crazy_creek_summer_camp_bridge_proposal.pdf |
Steel Building design
| retail_building_design_exercise_-_Drawing Package.pdf |
| structural_engineering_lecture_slides |
| steel_wide_flange_beam_properties_handout.pdf |
| retail_building_design_exercise_annotated_with_calcs.docx |
| structural_design_project_student_exemplars_2024.pdf |
Final Project
Final Class Presentations
Choose an engineering topic of interest, prepare an 8-10 minute PowerPoint or Prezi, and present it at the final class. Submit your "topic" via email for pre-approval by the due date.
Include lots of pictures, diagrams, and charts. Use note cards if you must, but DO NOT READ FROM YOUR SLIDES! You will need a minimum of around 10-15 slides to talk for 8-10 minutes. Be ready to take questions from the class.
Here's a few ideas:
Choose an engineering topic of interest, prepare an 8-10 minute PowerPoint or Prezi, and present it at the final class. Submit your "topic" via email for pre-approval by the due date.
Include lots of pictures, diagrams, and charts. Use note cards if you must, but DO NOT READ FROM YOUR SLIDES! You will need a minimum of around 10-15 slides to talk for 8-10 minutes. Be ready to take questions from the class.
Here's a few ideas:
- Electric cars, electric trucks, electric airplanes
- Wind power
- Solar power
- Nuclear power, micro-reactors
- Personal robots, flying skateboards, weird scooters
- Self-driving automobiles
- Travel to Mars, Space-X, the world's largest rocket
- Tissue engineering
- Analyze a well known skyscraper, bridge, or tunnel
- Analyze an engineering disaster
- Showcase something on Inventor
- Batteries
- Hydrogen fuel cells
- Bioengineered prosthetics for sports
- Bridge across the Bering Strait
- Tunnel across the Atlantic Ocean
| engineering_career_discussion.docx |
Student Exemplars
| spacex_-_the_travel_of_the_future.pdf |
| bugatti_16-cyl._engine_analysis.pdf |
| chesapeake_bay_bridge-tunnel.pdf |
| the_inner_workings_of_tesla_vehicles.pdf |