ELEMENTI DI MECCANICA TEORICA E APPLICATA

The course has the purpose of providing knowledge to the kinematic and dynamic modeling of the main mechanical systems and machines, for the vibrational behavior of systems to one or more degrees of freedom.

Dublin Descriptors

In line with the Study Programme's objective of training students in the field of industrial engineering, this course contributes to the acquisition of the knowledge and skills summarized below.

Knowledge and understanding

Passing the course examination implies that the student has acquired:

• knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects and the main design methodologies within the field of applied mechanics of machinery;
• the ability to understand problems—including those of high complexity—related to the design and implementation of mechanical and mechatronic systems.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:

Passing the course examination implies that the student has acquired the ability to:

• read and interpret drawings and schematics of mechanical systems;
• describe and analyze the static and dynamic behavior of mechanical systems and components;
• identify the most suitable mechanical system solutions for specific applications in industrial and civil contexts;
• evaluate the operating conditions and limitations of key mechanical devices and systems;
• evaluate the operating and usage limits of automation systems used in mechanical installations.

The course will be conducted through lectures and classroom exercises, supported by teaching materials (slides, worked examples, etc.) made available to students at the start of and throughout the course.

Should the course be delivered in a hybrid or remote format, necessary adjustments to the previously stated arrangements may be introduced to ensure the planned curriculum, as outlined in the syllabus, is covered.

Knowledge of Physics I and Mathematical Physics.

Students who have attended in person for a minimum of 60% of the total hours will be eligible to take the two mid-term tests:

Mid-term test 1 – Articulated system

Mid-term test 2 – Vibrating system

• Composition mechanisms. General notions of machine and mechanism. Kinematic pairs elementary and superior. Kinematic chains and mechanisms. Degrees of freedom of a mechanism.
• Forces acting in the machines. Work. Efficiency. Energy equation of a machine. Sliding contact between dry surfaces. Application of Coulomb's law. Wear and Reye's hypothesis. Drum brakes and disc brakes. Rolling resistance. Assumption of Hertz. Resistance of vehicles.
• Basic concepts of kinematics and dynamics of a rigid body. Plans motions. Instantaneous rotation center. Statics and dynamics of rigid body in the plane.
• Articulated systems. Determination of velocity and acceleration. Static and dynamic balance. Summary of articulated systems
• Dynamic balance slider-crank.
• Sprockets. Motion transmission with gears. Planetary gear trains and ordinary. Gears. Formula of Willis.
• Flexible members. Stiffness of the flexible members. Hoists. Belts. Belt drives. Brakes tape.
• Mechanical vibrations. Vibrating systems to 1 degree of freedom. Damping. Vibrating systems forced by harmonic forces. Insulation of foundations. Moving harmonic constraint. General methods. Dissipative systems with 2 degrees of freedom free and forced. 

Contribution of the course to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals

• SDG 4: Quality Education, Targets 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6; lectures, in-depth thematic analysis during lessons;
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Targets 9.1, 9.5; lectures, in-depth thematic analysis during lessons;
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Target 11.2; lectures, in-depth thematic analysis during lessons.

Assessment Methods

The written exam consists of three exercises:

1.       Linkage system and statics/dynamics (15points)
3.       Vibrating system (10 points)

The exam is considered passed if a score of at least 18/30 is achieved across the three exercises.

The oral exam consists of answering two questions—one from Group 1 (15 points) and one from Group 2 (15 points)—selected from the list provided in the following section.

The final grade is the arithmetic mean of the written and oral exam scores.

To ensure equal opportunities and compliance with current regulations, students registered with CInAP may arrange compensatory and/or dispensatory measures with the instructor, based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students may also contact the designated CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders) representatives for the DIEEI department: Professors Antonella Di Stefano and Arturo Pagano (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Group 1 (mechanical systems):

1. Kinematic pairs and mechanisms

2. Contact forces and wear,  Reye's hypothesis 

3. Wear and examples: kinematic skate/plane and supporting revolute pair  

4. Disk brakes

6. Gears 

7.  Gear trains

8.  Belt trasmission, Belts, Chains and joints

9.  Eqs of dynamics (N-E e E-L) 

Gruppo 2 (sistemi vibranti):

10.  1-2 dof  free vibrations

11.  1- 2 dof damped free vibrations, Vibrodyna

12.  1- 2 dof forced vibrations

13.  1-dof vibrating systems Forced vibrations- Applications

14.  2 dof free and forced

15.  Dynamic absorber