General course objectives
The necessity for experimental data to test and validate numerical
models of systems manufactured from complex nonlinear inhomogeneous
materials, such as concrete or fiber reinforced polymer composites,
is ever increasing. This includes e.g. dynamic testing of
structures to enable the rigorous identification of critical
structural and dynamic properties that constitute reliable
indicators of the current condition (health) of structures. The
objective of this course is to provide an introduction to
Experimental Mechanics focusing on experimental solid mechanics and
dynamic approaches as well as the relevant testing procedures.
The students will be able to choose between two separate tracks in
the course, i.e. Experimental Solid Mechanics and Experimental
Dynamics. Within the Experimental Dynamics track, dynamic testing
of scaled structural systems will be undertaken by the course
participants in order to visualise the structural oscillations,
measure the dynamic performance, and identify the
structural/dynamic properties of the experimental models. While,
within the experimental solid mechanics track students will study
the properties and behaviour of engineering materials and will have
the opportunity to get hands-on experience measuring forces,
displacement, deformation, and the mechanical strain.
Learning objectives
A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:
- Devise an experimental methodology and conduct testing
procedures to measure and infer about material and structural
performance
- Apply and process measured data from experimental work to test
and validate numerical models as well as to estimate structural and
dynamic properties
- Identify the application ranges of the experimental mechanics
approaches and assess their advantages and limitations
- Produce well structured, complete, clear and concise written
reports that favour critical assessing and concluding and otherwise
confirming to accepted standards for written presentation in the
subject area
- List and explain applicable experimental methods for
characterising material behaviour
- Identify significant parameters of engineering materials
selecting sensors and measuring equipment as well as utilising data
acquisition and data analysis methods
- Gain physical insight into the behaviour of materials and
structural elements, including distribution of stresses and
strains, deformations, and failure modes
- Identify the relevant sensing technology, induce oscillations
by applying dynamic loads and measure the dynamic response (e.g.,
accelerations and strains) of the scaled structural models
- Utilise standardised tools to process and relate the measured
response, e.g., from accelerations to displacements, by exploiting
basic mathematics and structural mechanics theory
- Follow the modal analysis framework to estimate the modal
properties of the scaled structural models, i.e., the natural
frequencies, the mode shapes and the damping ratios
- Estimate basic structural and material properties by applying
modal analysis techniques on the measured response.
Content
- Basic principles for the design and evaluation of experimental
testing
- Techniques and instrumentation (sensors) for static and dynamic
measurements
- Methods for processing structural response data (forces,
deformations, strains)
- Methods for experimental stress analysis and mechanical testing
of materials
- Basic principles of structural dynamics and modal analysis
(frequencies, mode shapes and damping)
- Characterisation of time-varying loads for structural systems
- Vibration tests of scaled structural systems and vibration
response measurements by means of appropriate sensing technology
- Experimental estimation of material and dynamic properties of
structural systems
Remarks
During the first course week, the students will identify their
preferred track, i.e., the “Experimental Solid Mechanics or the
“Experimental Dynamics” track. However, the enrolment of the
students to one of those two tracks may be subjected to an
additional restriction that is a nearly equal distribution of the
students following the two tracks. The students will follow the
curriculum and learning objectives of the chosen track and be
assessed on the basis of a report.
Last updated
04. maj, 2023