1. Mechanics of Elastic Materials
Explain why we are studying tissue mechanics. First, we need to gain an understanding of mechanics in general. This ties into many different areas of engineering.
[Mechanics of Elastic Materials presentation, part of the Mechanics of Elastic Solids lesson in TeachEngineering.org]

2. Why study mechanics?
Useful for the analysis and design of load-bearing structures, such as:
buildings
bridges
space shuttles
prosthetics
biological implants
Also used to
characterize materials
Example: To design and build the World Trade Center, different types of steel were used, based on stress analysis of the building design. Did not use high performance steel if it was not needed. Collapse of WTC was due to too many beams being broken when the plane hit. The remaining beams could not handle the stress/weight from floors above and they buckled/failed.
Example: For biological implants, engineers analyze the stresses in bones to make sure the implant can withstand the stress that the natural joint withstood. Bone degenerates with lack of stress, so we don’t want the implant to take away from the stress borne by surrounding bone.

3. Stress
The force per unit area, or intensity of the forces distributed over a given section. (units = Pascals [Pa] or pounds per square inch [psi])
σ = F/A
Stress is how engineers normalize the force that is applied to a material to account for differences in geometry.
Useful for predicting failure conditions for materials.
Explain normalizing the force by comparing two pieces of material that are the same length but different cross sectional areas. The force it takes to displace them the same amount (or break them) is different, but the stress is the same.
If you know what the yield stress is in your material and you know the dimensions, then you can calculate how much force the material can withstand before failing.

4. Strain Deformation per unit length (units: none [unitless]) ε = ΔL/L
Strain is how engineers normalize the deformation that a material experiences to account for differences in geometry.
Useful for determining how much a material can deform before failure.
If you have a very long piece of material compared to a very short piece, then the same amount of displacement is more detrimental to the short piece, compared to the long piece. The displacement may be on the same order of magnitude as the small piece, but on a smaller order of magnitude than the large piece. Strain normalizes this and puts it on the same scale.
Yield stress corresponds to a certain strain as well. If you can only measure strain or your system depends on being strained a certain amount then you can predict failure based on the strain.

5. Modulus of Elasticity
A representation of the stiffness of a material that behaves elastically (units: Pascals [Pa] or pounds per square inch [psi])
E = σ/ε
What equation is this similar to?
k = F /Δx
Modulus of elasticity is how engineers characterize material behavior.
Useful for knowing how materials behave, material selection for device design, and calculating the stress in a material since it is easier to measure deformation than it is to determine the exact force on a material.

6. Solid Mechanics
In-Class Examples

7. Example 1
This rod is exposed to a tensile force of 20 N. What is the stress in the rod?
20 N
0.5 m
0.5 m
σ =F/A
3 m
F = 20 N (given)
A = 0.5 m * 0.5 m = 0.25 m2
σ = 20 N / 0.25 m2
σ = 80 Pa
20 N

8. Example 2
The rod below is exposed to a tensile force of 20 N and elongates by m. Calculate the strain.
20 N
0.5 m
0.5 m
ε = ΔL/L
3 m
ΔL = 0.03 m (given)
L = 3 m
ε = 0.03 m / 3 m
ε = 0.01
20 N

9. Example 3
The rod below is exposed to a tensile force of 20 N and elongates by 0.03 m. Calculate the modulus of elasticity.
20 N
0.5 m
0.5 m
E = σ/ε
3 m
σ = 80 Pa (from first example)
ε = 0.01 (from second example)
E = 80 Pa / 0.01
E = 8000 Pa or 8 kPa
20 N

10. Complete the Solid Mechanics Worksheet
Next:
Complete the Solid Mechanics Worksheet

11. Elastic Behavior F stress strain steel tensile specimen elastic range
plastic
yield
ultimate
tensile
strength
fracture F
tensile load
direction
neck
steel tensile
specimen
Engineers physically test materials to obtain this stress-strain curve graph. They record force and displacement data and then calculate stress and strain. Dog bone-shaped test specimens prevent sample from breaking at grips.

12. Understanding the Stress-Strain Curve
elastic range – The linear portion of the stress-strain curve. When the force is released, the material returns to its original dimensions.
plastic range – The region of permanent deformation.
stress
strain
elastic
range
plastic
yield
ultimate
tensile
strength
fracture
Explain that modulus of elasticity is the slope of the elastic region of the line.

13. Understanding the Stress-Strain Curve
yield stress – The minimum stress that causes permanent deformation.
ultimate tensile strength – The maximum stress that the material can withstand. Also defines the beginning of necking.
stress
strain
elastic
range
plastic
yield
ultimate
tensile
strength
fracture

14. The Stress-Strain Curve
necking – A localized decrease in cross sectional area that causes a decrease in stress with an increase in strain.
fracture stress – Stress in which the material fails. F
tensile load
direction
neck
steel tensile
specimen
stress
strain
elastic
range
plastic
yield
ultimate
tensile
strength
fracture
Explain the difference between uniform deformation and necking. Even though the cross sectional area is changing, the stress is calculated using the initial area throughout the entire test because it is very difficult to measure area during testing.

15. Image Sources NOAA http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/htmls/corp2239.htm
tomruen, wikimedia.org
Glenn Research Center, NASA
Line diagrams: 2011 © Brandi N. Briggs, ITL Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder