ME1D02 Products and materials in Modern society

Instruction on the Group Design Project (Lab Sheet)

1. Project description

As sown in the following figure, design a beam of 250 mm length between the two supporting ends, which fails
when a 15-Kg load is hanged at its middle span.

2. Design consideration

2.1 There is no constraint on the design of the beam, except that it must be longer than 250 mm and can be put
onto the supports as shown. The cross section can be of any shape. The beam can be a combination of multiple
sticks. It can also be a non-uniform beam, meaning that you can reduce the cross-sectional area at some regions
(say middle section).

2.2 Keep in mind that the maximum force the beam can carry is more or less proportional to the width and the
depth (thickness) cubic.

2.3 Failure means either plastic deformation (irreversible deformation) or breakage. Small plastic deformation is
very difficult to determine by naked eyes. Therefore if Lab technician, TA and course instructor do not witness
plastic deformation, it will not be considered as failure. Students can propose evidence to indicate that some
damage happens due to the load through taking before and after photographs. Therefore, photographing is
suggested.

3. Procedure and score

3.1 Design idea presentation (5 marks). It takes at most 5 minutes. A clear presentation is important. Each group
must have a group representative to present. If you did not present before test or think the presentation time is
not sufficient, you can also write up the design idea in your group Blog. I will read it. The 5 marks means
respectively: marginal, satisfactory, good, very good, and excellent.

3.2 Test (15 marks). The failure weight W, measured in terms of the unit kg, leads to the score. If W < 15 kg,
the score is W. If W > 15 kg, the score is (30 - W). Minimum score is 0. The weight can be increased by 1 kg
each time. You have at most 3 chances to try if you have sufficient specimens. I only count the best one.
3.3 All group members will be given the same group score as their individual score unless I learn the complaint
that some group member has almost zero contribution. After the test, I will ask whether you all agree that
the group members have contributed to the project. If you complain about some group member(s), I will
listen to the explanation and finally enforce the punishment if necessary. The punishment will be the half
score for an individual member.

4. Schedule

Date Group ID Time

1 9:00 – 9:15

2 9:15 – 9:30

3 9:30 – 9:45

4 9:45 – 10:00

15 10:00 – 10:15
June 25 (Wed)
6 10:15 – 10:30

7 10:30 – 10:45

8 10:45 – 11:00

9 11:00 – 11:15

10 11:15 – 11:30

11 9:00 – 9:15

12 9:15 – 9:30

13 9:30 – 9:45

14 9:45 – 10:00

5 10:00 – 10:15
June 27 (Friday)
16 10:15 – 10:30

17 10:30 – 10:45

18 10:45 – 11:00

19 11:00 – 11:15

20 11:15 – 11:30

Note: If you want to switch with other group, please gain the agreement from that group and email me the
adjustment.