We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Mechanics of Materials I

Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading

Dr. Wayne Whiteman, PE

This course explores the topic of solid objects subjected to stress and strain. The methods taught in the course are used to predict the response of engineering structures to various types of loading, and to analyze the vulnerability of these structures to various failure modes. Axial loading with be the focus in this course.

------------------------------

The copyright of all content and materials in this course are owned by either the Georgia Tech Research Corporation or Dr. Wayne Whiteman. By participating in the course or using the content or materials, whether in whole or in part, you agree that you may download and use any content and/or material in this course for your own personal, non-commercial use only in a manner consistent with a student of any academic course. Any other use of the content and materials, including use by other academic universities or entities, is prohibited without express written permission of the Georgia Tech Research Corporation. Interested parties may contact Dr. Wayne Whiteman directly for information regarding the procedure to obtain a non-exclusive license.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

Two deals to help you save

Save money when you learn. Here are two deals and offers that may be relevant to this course.

All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

Valid until July 14

Coursera Plus Annual

Work toward what's next for your career with access to 10,000+ programs. Discover emerging skills and save.

Valid until August 30

Google AI App Builder

Learn how to use Gemini API and API Studio with a three-course series from Google DeepMind

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome

Stress and Strain Fundamentals

In this section, we will study the fundamentals of stress and strain as applied to Mechanics of Materials.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops the fundamental concepts of stress and strain, providing a foundation for analyzing the behavior of engineering structures under load

Taught by Dr. Wayne Whiteman, PE, an experienced instructor in the field of mechanics of materials

Provides a comprehensive overview of stress and strain analysis, covering a range of topics essential for understanding the structural behavior of materials

Emphasizes axial loading as a core aspect of stress and strain analysis, making it particularly relevant for learners interested in structural engineering

Incorporates practical examples and real-world applications, enhancing the relevance and applicability of the concepts taught

Requires a strong foundation in mathematics and physics, including calculus and statics, as prerequisites

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Fundamentals of mechanics of materials introduction

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of stress and strain and axial loading. Many found the instructor's explanations clear and concise, making complex topics understandable. The logical structure and progression were also frequently praised. However, some students felt there was a lack of sufficient practice problems or detailed examples needed to apply the theory effectively, sometimes requiring supplemental resources. While excellent for theory and foundational concepts, be prepared for potentially challenging homework assignments if you are new to the subject. It is considered highly valuable for engineering students and those needing a refresher.

Useful alongside university courses.

"As a civil engineering student, this course was invaluable. It perfectly complements my university studies."

"Useful for refreshing concepts for professional exams."

"Useful as a supplement to university courses."

Instructor explains complex topics clearly.

"Dr. Whiteman explains the fundamental concepts of stress and strain very clearly."

"Dr. Whiteman is an excellent lecturer - clear, concise, and covers the essentials thoroughly."

"The instructor is knowledgeable and presents the information clearly."

"Everything is explained from the ground up... makes complex topics understandable."

Course provides a solid theoretical base.

"Highly recommended for anyone needing a solid foundation."

"Solid introduction to mechanics of materials. Covers the core topics as advertised."

"Fantastic introduction to the subject... provides a strong base for further study."

"Covers the fundamentals well... The lectures provide a solid theoretical understanding."

Applying theory to problems is hard.

"I struggled with the problem-solving aspect. The examples in the lectures weren't always enough..."

"Found this course quite difficult. The homework was very challenging."

"...applying it is hard based on just the course material."

Lacks practice problems/examples.

"Needed to find external resources for practice problems... not enough practical application or examples."

"I wished there were more practice problems provided directly within the course materials."

"The course is too theoretical. Not enough examples showing how to actually solve problems."

"More examples and practice problems would be very helpful."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mechanics of Materials I: Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading with these activities:

Tutor or mentor a student in Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Tutoring or mentoring a student in Mechanics of Materials will reinforce your own understanding of the material, develop your communication skills, and help others succeed in the course.

Browse courses on Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Identify a student who needs help in Mechanics of Materials.
Meet with the student regularly to provide tutoring or mentoring.
Help the student understand concepts, solve problems, and prepare for exams.

Review notes and materials from previous courses related to Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Refreshing your knowledge of related materials will help you build a strong foundation for this course and make it easier to understand new concepts.

Browse courses on Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Gather notes and materials from previous courses related to Mechanics of Materials.
Review the materials, focusing on key concepts and formulas.
Identify areas where you need additional support.

Organize and summarize your notes, assignments, and other materials

Show steps

Organizing and summarizing your notes will make it easier to study and review the material, and help you identify areas where you need additional support.

Browse courses on Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Gather all your notes, assignments, and other materials.
Review the materials and identify key concepts.
Summarize the key concepts and organize them into a logical structure.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Use online simulations or software to visualize concepts

Show steps

Using online simulations or software to visualize concepts in Mechanics of Materials can help you develop a deeper understanding of the material and improve your problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Find reputable online simulations or software.
Explore different simulations and experiments.
Apply the concepts learned in class to the simulations.

Solve problems from textbooks

Show steps

Solving problems from textbooks will help you apply the concepts and formulas learned in this course and strengthen your understanding of Mechanics of Materials.

Browse courses on Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Choose a textbook and gather necessary materials.
Review the textbook chapter and identify key concepts.
Solve problems related to the key concepts.
Check your solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Design a presentation on a topic in Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Designing a presentation on a topic in Mechanics of Materials will help you synthesize your knowledge, develop your communication skills, and deepen your understanding of the material.

Browse courses on Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Choose a topic and research it thoroughly.
Develop an outline and prepare your presentation slides.
Practice your presentation and get feedback from peers or instructors.
Deliver your presentation and answer questions.

Write a blog or article about a specific topic in Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Writing a blog or article about a specific topic in Mechanics of Materials will help you consolidate your knowledge, improve your writing skills, and share your understanding with others.

Browse courses on Mechanics of Materials

Show steps

Choose a topic and research it thoroughly.
Write an outline and draft your blog post or article.
Edit and revise your writing.
Publish your blog post or article and promote it.

Career center

Learners who complete Mechanics of Materials I: Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers analyze their work using these principles to ensure that they are able to create safe and effective designs. This course can help you understand the fundamental principles behind Mechanics of Materials. With this knowledge, you will be able to enter the field of mechanical engineering with a strong foundation in its most basic concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Materials Engineer

Materials Engineers need to have a thorough understanding of the principles behind stress and strain as they relate to different kinds of materials. This course covers the relationship between stress and strain as it applies to materials. By learning the materials covered in this course, you may become a more effective Materials Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers use knowledge of stress and strain to design and construct safe and effective buildings, roads, and bridges. This course covers the fundamentals of stress and strain, which are central to the work of any Civil Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Structural Engineer

Structural Engineers rely on the principles of stress and strain to ensure that buildings and other structures are able to withstand different kinds of loads. By studying the material covered in this course, you will learn the basics of stress and strain, which will help you to succeed in the field of Structural Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Structural Engineer

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers use the principles of stress and strain to make sure that aircraft and spacecraft are safe. By studying this course, you can gain a foundation in stress and strain that will help you in your career as an Aerospace Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers use their knowledge of stress and strain to optimize production processes. Understanding material covered in this course may help you be more successful in the field of Manufacturing Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Product Design Engineer

Product Design Engineers must be able to use principles of stress and strain to design and develop new products. The topics covered in this course will provide you with the foundation you need to become a successful Product Design Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Design Engineer

Quality Control Engineer

Quality Control Engineers ensure that products meet safety and quality standards. This course covers the fundamentals of stress and strain, which will help you to be successful in the field of Quality Control Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Engineer

Failure Analysis Engineer

Failure Analysis Engineers investigate the causes of product failures. Knowledge of stress and strain is essential for this work, and this course can help you to gain that knowledge.

See salaries and explore the career path for Failure Analysis Engineer

Reliability Engineer

Reliability Engineers are responsible for ensuring that products are reliable. This course may be useful in giving you a strong foundation in stress and strain that will help you in the field of Reliability Engineering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Reliability Engineer

Forensic Engineer

Forensic Engineers investigate failures and accidents. This course provides the fundamentals of stress and strain, which may be useful in helping you to become a successful Forensic Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forensic Engineer

Geotechnical Engineer

Geotechnical Engineers design and construct foundations for structures. This course covers the fundamentals of stress and strain, which can be useful for a Geotechnical Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geotechnical Engineer

Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum Engineers use their knowledge of stress and strain to design and operate oil and gas wells. This course covers the fundamentals of stress and strain, which are essential for any Petroleum Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Petroleum Engineer

Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists need to have a strong understanding of the relationship between stress and strain as it applies to different materials. This course covers the fundamentals of stress and strain, which can be useful for a Materials Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist

Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear Engineers typically need a master's degree, but this course may be useful in giving you a strong foundation in the basics of stress and strain as it relates to nuclear power systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Engineer

Reading list

We've selected 27 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Mechanics of Materials I: Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading.

ISE Statics and Mechanics of Materials

Save

Classic textbook on the subject of Mechanics of Materials. It provides a comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the topic, making it a valuable resource for students and professionals alike.

Mechanics of Materials I

Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Fundamentals of mechanics of materials introduction

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses