Lecture

Introduction to Structural Mechanics

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In course

MICRO-200: Mechanism Design I

Ce cours introduit les bases de la mécanique des structures : calcul des contraintes et déformations provoquées par les forces extérieures et calcul des déformations. Ces enseignements théoriques sont appliqués à la conception des éléments importants des m ...

Description

This lecture introduces the basics of structural mechanics, covering topics such as constraints, deformations, materials behavior, and the application of Hooke's law. The instructor emphasizes the importance of understanding and controlling constraints and deformations in microtechnical engineering. The lecture also discusses load-dependent structures, internal forces, and the finite element modeling approach. Examples like a robotic arm, a mechanical watch, and a MEMS sensor are used to illustrate concepts. The assumptions of linear elastic regime, material homogeneity, and continuity are explained. The session concludes with constraints in 1D and sets the stage for further exploration of structural mechanics.

Instructors (4)

Danick Briand

Expertise MEMS and MicrosystemsFlexible and Printed ElectronicsEnergy Harvesting and PowerMEMSSmart Sensing SystemsAdvanced Gas Sensing TechnologiesMicrofabrication and Printing technologiesMicrosystems Integration and Packaging Expertise MEMS and MicrosystemsFlexible and Printed ElectronicsEnergy Harvesting and PowerMEMSSmart Sensing SystemsAdvanced Gas Sensing TechnologiesMicrofabrication and Printing technologiesMicrosystems Integration and Packaging Mission Environmentally-friendly technology is a rapid

Simon Nessim Henein

Born in 1973 and of Egyptian-Swiss nationality, Simon Henein grew up in Cairo. He obtained an engineering degree at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in 1996 and went on to complete his doctorate at the EPFL in 2000. In 2001, he published the book “Conception des guidages flexibles” which has become a reference in precision engineering. He then joined the Centre Suisse d’Electronique et Microtechnique (CSEM), Neuchatel, Switzerland, where he conceived and developed mechanisms for robotic, aerospace, medical and watchmaking applications. He pursued his research career at the Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland, where he developed instruments for the Swiss Light Source Synchrotron (SLS). Since November 1st, 2012, he is associate professor in microengineering at the EPFL, holder of the Patek Philippe Chair and director of the Micromechanical and horological design laboratory (Instant-Lab).

Herbert Shea

Expertise soft robotics, wearable haptics, electrostatic actuators, EHD Mission My lab develops flexible polymer-based actuators for a wide range of applications including haptics and soft robotics. More info at https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lmts/ Links from EPFL-LMTS Lab webpage People Research ActivitiesPublications TeachingPublications and Conference papers Link to my lab Education PhD | Physics 1997 – 1997 Harvard University MA | Physics 1993 – 1993 Harvard University

Olivier Chappuis

Official source

Related concepts (28)

Structural engineering

Structural engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering in which structural engineers are trained to design the 'bones and muscles' that create the form and shape of human-made structures. Structural engineers also must understand and calculate the stability, strength, rigidity and earthquake-susceptibility of built structures for buildings and nonbuilding structures. The structural designs are integrated with those of other designers such as architects and building services engineer and often supervise the construction of projects by contractors on site.

Structural mechanics

Structural mechanics or mechanics of structures is the computation of deformations, deflections, and internal forces or stresses (stress equivalents) within structures, either for design or for performance evaluation of existing structures. It is one subset of structural analysis. Structural mechanics analysis needs input data such as structural loads, the structure's geometric representation and support conditions, and the materials' properties. Output quantities may include support reactions, stresses and displacements.

Structural analysis

Structural analysis is a branch of solid mechanics which uses simplified models for solids like bars, beams and shells for engineering decision making. Its main objective is to determine the effect of loads on the physical structures and their components. In contrast to theory of elasticity, the models used in structure analysis are often differential equations in one spatial variable. Structures subject to this type of analysis include all that must withstand loads, such as buildings, bridges, aircraft and ships.

Applied mechanics

Applied mechanics is the branch of science concerned with the motion of any substance that can be experienced or perceived by humans without the help of instruments. In short, when mechanics concepts surpass being theoretical and are applied and executed, general mechanics becomes applied mechanics. It is this stark difference that makes applied mechanics an essential understanding for practical everyday life.

Young's modulus

Young's modulus , the Young modulus, or the modulus of elasticity in tension or axial compression (i.e., negative tension), is a mechanical property that measures the tensile or compressive stiffness of a solid material when the force is applied lengthwise. It quantifies the relationship between tensile/compressive stress (force per unit area) and axial strain (proportional deformation) in the linear elastic region of a material and is determined using the formula: Young's moduli are typically so large that they are expressed not in pascals but in gigapascals (GPa).

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