MATSE 414 MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CERAMICS


 
 
 

Welcome to MATSE 414.  This course presents an in-depth view of the mechanical properties of ceramics, developing critical skills that can be applied to contemporary issues in research, development and production.  The information in this course is also linked to MATSE 466, a lab in which practical skills are developed.  The syllabus for the course is outlined in the following sections.

  1. Instructor Information:
  2. Required Textbook:
  3. Goals and Course Objectives:
  4. Overview and Information:
  5. Course Outcomes:
  6. Assessment Tools:
  7. Required Activities:
  8. Additional Help
  9. Relation of Course Objectives to Program Objectives:
  10. Course Evaluation:
  11. Reserve Books:
  12. Academic Integrity and the Promotion of a Vibrant Learning Culture:

Instructor Information:
David J. Green, Professor of Ceramic Science & Engineering, 230 Steidle Building,
Phone: 863-2011.  Email: green@ems.psu.edu.      Office Hours W: 2:30-4:30 pm


Required Textbook:
Introduction to the Mechanical Properties of Ceramics, D. J. Green.
There are some errors in the book.  To obtain corrections click here
In addition, there is a set of books reserved for reference in the Penn State Libraries (see reserve books)


Goals and Course Objectives:
The objectives of the course are to give the student a fundamental understanding and appreciation for the relationship between the structure and mechanical behavior of ceramic materials.


Overview and Information:

* Prerequisites:
a) Courses MatSE 400, EMch 210 or (EMch 11 and EMch 13)
b) Topic Mechanics, Statics and Strength of Materials, Introduction to Materials Science, Crystal Chemistry,
    Thermodynamics

* Course Topics:
1. Introduction
2. Elasticity
3. Structure and Elastic properties
4. Elastic Stress Distributions
5. Viscosity and Viscoelasticity
6. Plasticity
7. Creep
8. Brittle Fracture
9. Strength and Engineering Design


Course Outcomes:
Students develop an understanding of the following:

1. The elastic, viscoelastic, plastic, creep, strength and toughness behavior of ceramic materials
2. The mechanics associated with the above properties
3. The way the above properties are influenced by the structure of the material.
4. The experimental techniques that are used to measure these properties (inked to the lab course, MATSE 468).
5. The factors involved in material selection and the structural design process for ceramics.
 


Assessment Tools:

1. Group project
2. Homework
3. In-class quizzes
4. Term paper
5. Surveys
6. SRTE

Students must contact the instructor prior to the due date of the homework if they are unable to complete the work.  If a student is unable to participate in a quiz, they must contact the instructor prior to these events.  The student should also make an appointment with the instructor to determine a date by which these tasks will be completed.  See Senate rules 44-25 and 44-35.  At least 9 days notice will be given for the dates of the in-class quizzes and for the due dates of the homework and term paper.


Required Activities:


Additional Help:
If students require additional help, they should visit the instructor during office hours or preferably, make an appointment using email.  There are no teaching assistants for the course but my graduate advisees may be able to assist you: Matthew Abrams (mba4@psu.edu) and Junwu Shen ? (jxs705@psu.edu).


Program Objectives:

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Ceramic Option have a set of educational objectives and outcomes and the following table shows how the objectives and outcomes of CerSE 414 relate to those of the Department.

Relation of Course Objectives to Program Objectives

1. Provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanics concepts neededfor the processing utilization and design of ceramic materials 1, 2
2. Understand the key mechanical properties of ceramics and illustratehow these properties are measured and used in design 2, 3, 6
3. Relate the mechanical properties of ceramic materials to structureof the material 2, 3
4. Outline the type of process by which materials are selected andshow how the properties of ceramics relate to those of metals polymersand composites 2, 3, 6
5. Provide realistic and/or fundamental problems relating to the mechanicalbehavior of ceramics for individual solutions and tests 1, 2, 3, 4
6. Work as a group to select a ceramic material for a chosen applicationand present the conclusions as group reports and as oral presentations 2, 4, 5, 7
7. Work (in-class) as a group to answer comprehension questions andproblems 2, 5
8. Provide students with the skills that are needed by ceramic engineersto produce materials with high mechanical reliability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

 

The course objectives map to the Departmental Outcomes as follows:

a b c d e f g h i j k l
1 2 2 3 1 3 2 3 3 2 1 1

1 = strongly related 2 = related 3 = unrelated


Course Evaluation:

The course will be evaluated as follows;
1. Problem sets (7) - 35 %,
2. Group projects (3) - 15 %
3. Class quizzes (4) - 40%
4. Final paper (1) - 10 %.
The grades for the above will be based on actual performance with slight adjustments for difficulty.  Audit students must obtain a passing grade in the quizzes.
 


Reserve Books:

The following books have been placed on reserve and they are useful as supplements to the course.  Some books cover advanced topics, others deal with the same subject matter but from an alternative viewpoint.
 




R. W. Davidge Mechanical Behavior of Ceramics TA 430.D7
A. H. Cottrell Mechanical Properties of Matter QC 171.C8
B. R. Lawn Fracture of Brittle Solids: 2nd Edition TA 409.L37
W. D. Kingery et al. Introduction to Ceramics TP 807.K52
M. F. Ashby Materials Selection in Mechanical Design TA 403.6.A74
E. Schreiber et al. Elastic Constants and Their Measurement  TA 418.S37
J. B. Wachtman Jr. Mechanical Properties of Ceramics TA 455.C43W38
S. P. Timoshenko and J. Goodier Theory of Elasticity QA 931.T55
R. W. Hertzberg Deformation and Fracture Mechanisms of EngineeringMatlerials TA 417.6.H46
J. F. Nye Physical Properties of Crystals QD 931.N9
T. H. Courtney Mechanical Behavior of Materials TA 405.C859
B. A. Boley and J. H. Weiner  Theory of Thermal Stresses TA 405.5.B64
F. P. Beer and E. R. Johnson  Mechanics of Materials TA405.B39


Tentative Class Schedule
 

CLASS TOPIC
1 Outline of course
2 Introduction (Chapter 1)
3-8 Elasticity (Chapter 2)
9 Group presentations
10 Group problems/homework
11-13 Elasticity and Structure (Chapter 3)
14 Group problems/homework
15 Group presentations
16-18 Elastic Stress Distributions (Chapter 4)
20 Group problems/homework
18-22 Fracture (Chapter 8)
23 Group problems/homework
24-26 Strength and Design (Chapter 9)
27 Group problems/homework
28-30 Viscosity (Chapter 5)
31 Group problems/homework
32-34 Plastic Deformation (Chapter 6)
35 Group problems/homework
36-37 Creep (Chapter 7)
38 Group problems/homework
39 Group presentation
40 (Sept 21 2001) Attend PCA meeting
41-44 Quizzes (date to be set)


 Academic Integrity and the Promotion of a Vibrant Learning Culture:

The following recommendations address the partnership between the faculty-teacher and student-learner in the personal process of learning with a focus on the maturation of students in the learning process (Senate Policy 49-20).

The Teacher in the Learning Process.
Maintaining a high level of learning requires characteristics in teaching necessary for a strong teacher-learner relationship.  The teacher should:

a) Maintain an atmosphere of integrity, civility and respect.
b) Exhibit a strong desire for students to learn.
c) Recognize that effective teaching requires a balance among teaching, advising, research, and service.
d) Encourage active student participation in learning.
e) Employ effective teaching and learning strategies.
f) Help students connect learning experiences.
g) Develop an effective personal teaching approach.

The Student in the Learning Process.
Maintaining a high level of learning and scholarly activity requires the following characteristics of the student learner:

a) Academic integrity, respect, and civility.
b) Strong work ethic.
c) Manage time wisely.
d) Participate actively in class.
e) Recognize importance of out-of-class learning.
f) Reflect on the educational process.
g) Perform self-assessment.

Academic Integrity  (Senate Policy 49-20)

Definition and expectations: Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University's Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.

Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.

For CerSE 414 the following specific points should also be considered.


University policies for undergraduate education
 

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