Introduction

You are to write up a lab report based upon one of the investigations you will complete during the practical element of this module. Experimental laboratory investigations will be carried out in small student groups – information about group allocation and laboratory schedule shall be given during the introduction to the module. Please note group allocation may alter during the year and you must regularly check the updated information on Blackboard in association with any timetable amendments on the LJMU website.

It is your responsibility to keep accurate notes, records and photos where relevant, throughout your experimental sessions. The report that you are to write up will be based on one of your experiments: your experimental assignment will be revealed to you during the module.

Learning Outcomes to be assessed

1. Construct free body, shear force and bending moment diagrams and use them to solve mechanics problems.

2. Perform qualitative and quantitative structural analysis.

3. Analyse various shapes of cross section to determine: cross sectional area, centre of gravity, second moment of area and section modulus

4. Explore the properties of materials justifying the reasons for their selection and their effect on the design of buildings and installations.

5. Select materials for construction and consider the effects of material selection on the environment suggesting suitable alternatives and possibilities for recycling. 

6. Perform laboratory experiments safely and interpret experimental data to deduce structural or material behaviour.

Detail of the task

STRUCTURES ELEMENT:

Experiment 1 Forces in a Warren truss

Experiment 2 Shear Force Variation with an Increasing Point Load

Shear Force Variation for Various Loading Conditions

Experiment 3 Bending Moment Variation at the Point of Loading

Bending Moment Variation from the Point of Loading

Experiment 4 The effect of carbon content on the properties of plain carbon steels

Experiment 5 Determining the elastic modulus of an aluminium alloy

Experiment 6 Determining the effects of relative humidity and moisture content on the compressive strength of timber samples

Experiment 7 The workability and consistency of concrete

What you should hand in

EACH STUDENT is required to submit a laboratory report of not more than 2000 words (excluding references) based upon one experiment that will be assigned to you during your lectures. Marking guidelines are included for your information.

• Introduction: - A brief summary of the field of research and its applications in engineering. Cite recent published articles as examples.
• Procedure:- This section must contain sufficient information for your reader to repeat the experiment exactly. Use diagrams or photographs where appropriate.
• Results: - Present your data clearly and effectively, using graphs and statistical techniques where appropriate.
• Discussion: - 
• Analyse and critically appraise your data: what does it show, what are the implications, and how confident are you of the results?
• Conclusion