MEC2401

Dynamics
This unit introduces second year mechanical engineering students to the concepts of time, space, coordinate
systems, particles, rigid bodies, forces, work, energy and Newton's Laws of Motion. Students will be taught the
fundamentals of kinematics and kinetics of rigid bodies and systems of particles and to carry out dynamic analysis to
balance systems with rotating and reciprocating masses. Students will also be introduced to three-dimensional
dynamics of rigid bodies. The fundamentals of mechanical vibration, analysis and synthesis of planar mechanisms
and experimental modeling will complete the unit.
Mode of Delivery
Workload
requirements
Unit Relationships

Chief Examiner(s)
Lecturer(s)
Campus:
Phone:
Email:
Consultation hours:
Campus
Coordinator
Campus:
Phone:
Email:
Consultation
Hours:
Tutor(s)
Campus:
Phone:
Email:
Consultation hours:

On campus
Same as in Handbook
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/units/index-byfacultyeng.html
Same as in Handbook
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2015handbooks/units/index-byfacultyeng.html
Prof. Chris Davies
Assoc. Prof. Rafaat Ibrahim
Clayton
+61 3 990 51982
raafat.Ibrahim@monash.edu

Dr Darwin Gouwanda
Sunway
+60 5514 45655
darwin.gouwanda@monash.edu
Chong Tune Hau; Chua Sing Yee
Sunway
chong.tune.hau@monash.edu; chua.sing.yee@monash.edu
-

SEMESTER 1, 2015
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/units/MEC2401.html

www.monash.edu
www.monash.edu

ACADEMIC OVERVIEW
Program Education Objectives
The Mechanical Engineering expects to produce graduates, who
1.
have successful careers in Mechanical Engineering
2.
engage in multicultural and globalized engineering teams
3.
demonstrate career progression towards senior management and leadership
positions
Program Outcomes
The Mechanical Engineering has developed a set of Program Outcomes (POs) for all of its
graduates based on the Malaysian Engineering Accreditation Councils manual.
Program Outcomes

Activities used in this unit to develop

program outcomes

PO1 Engineering knowledge:

Apply knowledge of science and engineering
fundamentals, and achieve specialization in
Mechanical Engineering discipline;

Theoretical lecture material, prescribed

texts and recommended reading.

PO2 Problem solving and analysis:

Identify, formulate, analyse and solve complex
engineering problems, and make appropriate
conclusions;

This unit enables the student to utilize

second law of motion for solving dynamic
problems that could not be solved by static
and the first law of motion.

PO3 Design/Development of solutions:

Design solutions for complex engineering
problems;

N.A.

PO4 Research-based investigation of

systems:
Investigate complex engineering problems and
systems using research-based knowledge and
methods;

Different ways for solving a similar

problem will be presented and practiced in
the unit. Also non-uniqueness of the
solution techniques will be discussed.

PO5 Modern tool usage:

Create, select and apply appropriate
techniques, resources and modern engineering
and IT tools to complex engineering activities
with an understanding of their limitations;

N.A.

PO6 Engineers and society:

Assess social, public health and safety, cultural
and legal consequences of complex
engineering solutions and relate them to the
responsibilities of a professional engineer;

N.A.

PO7 Environment and sustainability:

N.A.

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
2

Demonstrate knowledge of and need for

sustainable development and understand the
social and environmental impacts of
engineering solutions;
PO8 Professional ethics:
Apply ethical principles and commit to
professional ethics and responsibilities and
norms of engineering practice;
PO9 Communication:
Communicate effectively both in oral and
written forms;
PO10 Individual and team work:
Function effectively as an individual and in
multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
PO11 Lifelong learning:
Recognise the need for independent and
lifelong learning, and possess the capacity to
do so;
PO12 Project management and finance:
Manage an engineering project systematically;

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

N.A.

Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1.
Solve engineering problems involving: displacement, velocity and acceleration,
simple vibrating systems of masses, springs and dampers, and analysis of simple
engineering mechanisms.
2.
Reliably calculate forces, power and energy losses involved in practical engineering
applications.
3.
Produce engineering solutions in a realistic and logical format using the appropriate
units, dimensions and accuracy.
4.
Apply the fundamentals of kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies.
5.
Dynamically balance systems with rotating and reciprocating masses.
Relationship between Unit Learning Outcomes and Program Outcomes

LO1
LO2
LO3
LO4
LO5

PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7 PO8 PO9 PO10 PO11 PO12

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
3

Key

No emphasis
Emphasized and assessed in the unit

Teaching Approach
Lecture: Lectures provide introduction to the concepts, theory and solution of the dynamic
problems. This includes the discussions about validity of different assumptions and
simplifications during formulating a real world engineering problem and the impact of such
assumptions on validity of the results. During practical/ laboratory classes, questions and
problems on solutions of balancing and vibrational problems will be dealt with. In order to
answer the questions or to solve the problems they need to review the lecture materials and
try to implement their understandings of the concepts and theories taught during the lectures.
Tutorial: There are scheduled practice classes as per the unit schedule for each week,
commencing in week 2. Students must attend these sessions. Once a particular session is
full, no more students will be accepted, unless evidence is shown that timetabling means that
is the only session possible.
Laboratory: Students are required to for a group of 4 members. Each group is required to
conduct three different experiments starting from Week 8. Laboratory manuals will be
available in Moodle, starting from Week 5. Each group is required to submit technical reports
on the subsequent week of the experiment
You can also find information on inclusive teaching practices for students with learning
disabilities or mental health conditions at: www.monash.edu.au/lls/inclusivity/
Assessment Summary

Assessment Task

Value Due Date

1. Class works

10%

---

2. Mid-term Test

10%

Week 8

3. Laboratories and reports

10%

One week after the experiment

Final Exam

70%

TBC

Relationship between Unit Learning Outcomes and Assessments

No.

Learning Outcomes

Assessment

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
4

4
5

Final
Exam

Class
Works

Solve engineering problems involving:

displacement, velocity and acceleration,
simple vibrating systems of masses,
springs and dampers, and analysis of
simple engineering mechanisms.
Reliably calculate forces, power and
energy losses involved in practical
engineering applications.
Produce engineering solutions in a
realistic and logical format using the
appropriate units, dimensions and
accuracy.
Apply the fundamentals of kinematics and
kinetics of particles and rigid bodies.
Dynamically balance systems with
rotating and reciprocating masses.

Mid-term
Test

Laboratory
Reports
Assignment
2
Assignment
1

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2

C2,
A1,
P1

Blooms Taxonomy:
Three domains of educational activities have been identified under the general taxonomy
known as Blooms.
o Cognitive: mental skills (Head)
o Affective: growth in feelings or emotional areas (Heart)
o Psychomotor: manual or physical skills (Hand)
The cognitive domain involves knowledge and the development of intellectual skills. This
includes the recall or recognition of specific facts, procedural patterns, and concepts that
serve in the development of intellectual abilities and skills.
The affective domain includes the attitudes with which someone deals with things
emotionally, such as feelings, values, appreciation, enthusiasms and motivations.
The psychomotor domain includes physical movement, coordination, and use of the motorskill areas. Development of these skills requires practice and is measured in terms of speed,
precision, distance, procedures, or techniques in execution.
Key for the table above: Psychomotor: P1 (Low), P2 (Medium), P3 (High), Affective: A1
(Low), A2 (Medium), A3 (High), Cognitive: C1 (Low), C2 (Medium), C3 (High)
ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
5

Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Class works
Details of task: Students are required to complete weekly class works and major class works
assignment questions released in Week 2 and Week 5. This assignment will assess students
fundamental understanding on topics taught in each lecture.
Release dates (where applicable): Week 2 and Week 5
Word limit (where applicable): NA
Value: 10%
Presentation requirements: NA
Estimated return date: Week 7 and Week 12
Hurdle requirements (where applicable): NA
Individual Assessment in Group Tasks (where applicable): NA
Multilevel distinction (where applicable): NA
Criteria for Marking: Marks will be based on correctness and completeness of answers to
questions
Assessment Task 3: Mid-term Test
Details of task: A 120-minutes written exam will be conducted to assess students
fundamental understanding on topics taught at the first 6 weeks of the semester.
Release dates (where applicable): Week 8
Word limit (where applicable): NA
Value: 10%
Presentation requirements: NA
Estimated return date: Week 10
Hurdle requirements (where applicable): NA
Individual Assessment in Group Tasks (where applicable): NA
Multilevel distinction (where applicable): NA
Criteria for Marking: Marks will be based on correctness and completeness of answers to
questions
Assessment Task 4: Laboratories and reports
Details of task: Students are required to conduct experiments, and prepare technical reports
Release dates (where applicable): Week 5
Word limit (where applicable): NA
Value: 10%
Presentation requirements: NA
Estimated return date: Week Two weeks after the submission
Hurdle requirements (where applicable): NA
Individual Assessment in Group Tasks (where applicable): NA
Multilevel distinction (where applicable): NA
Criteria for Marking: Assessment will be based on the quality of the report.
Examination(s)
There will be a 3 hours written exam (with 10 min, reading time) on all topics covered in this
unit. The exam will carry an overall weight of 70%. Non-programmable scientific calculator is
Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
6

required. This is closed book & closed-note exam: no reference material is allowed. The exam
will test students grasp of theoretical concepts, as well as application of those concepts to
solve numerical problems.
Extensions and penalties
Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. Students are advised to NOT assume
that granting of an extension is a matter of course.
If you need an extension for any of the assignments, you must submit a written request 48 -hours
before the due time and date, and attach supportive evidence such as medical certificate.
The form should preferably be forwarded as an email attachment, sent to the unit coordinator. The
email should be sent from your University email address with your name typed in lieu of signature.
If you are late in applying for an extension or you do not have a good reason, you should still submit
the work, but 10% of the total marks available for that assessment component will usually be
deducted for each day late.
No assignment will be accepted once an assignment has been returned to the class.
Remember, you are required to keep an up-to-date copy of all submitted assignments to safeguard
against the loss of work through accident or error.
Returning assignments
Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or
after receipt, whichever is later.
Resubmission of assignments
There is no resubmission.
Referencing requirements
To build your skills in citing and referencing, and using different referencing styles, see the online
tutorial Academic Integrity: Demystifying Citing and Referencing at
www.lib.monash.edu/tutorials/citing/
Assignment submission
Hard Copy Submission: Assignments must include a cover sheet. The coversheet is
accessible via the Monash portal page located at http://my.monash.edu under the heading
Learning and teaching tools. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.
Feedback to you
Feedback will be given to the students in the form of written comments in each of their
submission. Verbal comments and feedback to the whole class will be addressed during
lecture or tutorial.
UNIT SCHEDULE
Week

Lecture

Practise Class

Introduction to Dynamics.
Revision on
Kinematics of Particles.

None

Experiment

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
7

Rectilinear Motion.
Displacement, Velocity and
Acceleration. Plane
Curvilinear motion,
Rectangular Coordinates,
Normal and Tangential
Coordinates, Polar
coordinates
2

Dependent Motion of
Particles. Constrained
motion of connected particles

Constant and Variable

Acceleration.
Curvilinear Motion:
Normal and Tangential
Coordinates & Dependent
Motion of Two Particles.

Kinematics of Planar
Mechanism: Relative
Motion. Translation, Rotation
and General Plane
Motion. Absolute Motion.
Relative Velocity.
Rubbing Velocity at Joints

Relative Velocity

Velocity of a Point on a Link

by Relative Velocity Method
(Vector Analysis and Velocity
Diagrams)

Calculating Velocities by
Using the Vector Analysis

Acceleration of a Point on a
Link Using Vector Analysis

Relative Acceleration,
Acceleration Diagram

A - Forces in Mechanisms
using dismemberment and
DAlemberts Principle (Inertia
Forces)
B - Linear and angular
impulse, Linear and angular
momentum of free particles.

Calculating Forces in
Mechanisms Using
Dismemberment
(Subgroup and Links),
Virtual Work & Work and
Energy.

Angular impulse, angular

momentum of rigid bodies,
moment and product of
inertia.

Continuation: Calculating
Forces in Mechanisms
Using Dismemberment
(Subgroup and Links),
Virtual Work & Work and
Energy.

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
8

Balancing of rotating masses,

Balancing of single rotating
mass, Balancing of several
masses.

Calculating the Balancing

Mass

Lab 1 & Lab 2

Mid-term Test
Topics covered up to Week 6
Worth: 10%
9

Balancing of Several Masses

Rotating in the Same Plane
and Different Planes

Calculating the Balancing

Mass

Lab 1 & Lab 2

10

Balancing of Reciprocating
Masses

Calculating the Balancing

Masses for the
Reciprocating Mechanism

Lab 3

11

Forced Vibration, Longitudinal

and Transverse VibrationNatural Frequency

Calculating Natural
Lab 3
Frequency Under Different
Loading

12

Equation of Motion using

Lagrangian

Equation of Motion using

Lagrangian

SWOT VAC

No formal assessment is undertaken in SWOT VAC

Examination period

LINK to Assessment Policy:

www.policy.monash.edu/policybank/academic/education/assessment
/assessment-in-coursework-policy.html

Your Feedback to Us
One of the formal ways students have to provide feedback on teaching and their learning
experience is through the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units (SETU) survey. The
feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are
satisfied with and areas for improvement.
Previous Student Evaluations of this Unit
If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to
https://emuapps.monash.edu/unitevaluations/index.jsp

Learning resources

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
9

Prescribed Text
Ibrahim, R., Dynamics Monash University. 2012.
RecommendedText(s) and Readings
Meriam, J.L., Kraige, L.G.,Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, Fifth Edition,Wiley, 2003.
Hibbeler, R.C., Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, 12th Edition, Prentice-Hall, 2010
Required Resources
Students generally must be able to complete the requirements of their course without the
imposition of fees that are additional to the student contribution amount or tuition fees.
However, students may be charged certain incidental fees or be expected to make certain
purchases to support their study.
Technological Requirements
NA
Recommended Resources
Field trips
NA
Additional unit costs
NA.
Examination material or equipment
NA.
Calculators
A list of the Faculty of Engineering approved calculators and the process for obtaining a
sticker is available online at:
www.eng.monash.edu.au/current-students/calculators.html
IMPORTANT: Only these listed calculators with the authorised Monash UniversityScience or Monash University-Engineering STICKER will be allowed into the
examination by the invigilators.
OTHER INFORMATION
Policies
Monash has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure
that staff and students are aware of the Universitys academic standards, and to provide
advice on how they might uphold them. You can find Monashs Education Policies at:
www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
10

Graduate Attributes Policy

http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/management/monashgraduate-attributes-policy.html
Student Charter
www.monash.edu/students/policies/student-charter.html
Student Services
The University provides many different kinds of services to help you gain the most from your
studies.Contact your tutor if you need advice and see the range of services available at
http://www.monash.edu.my/Student-services/
Monash University Library
The Library and Learning Commons, Monash University Malaysia Campus, provides a range
of services and resources that enable you to save time and be more effective in your learning
and research. Go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.my or the library tab in my.monash portal for
more information.

Disability Liaison Unit

Students who have a disability or medical condition are welcome to contact the Disability
Liaison Unit to discuss academic support services. Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) visit all
Victorian campuses on a regular basis.

Website: www.monash.edu/equity-diversity/disability/index.html
For information and referral, telephone: Sudent Adviser, Student Community Services
at 03 55146018; or drop In: Student Community Services Department, Level 2 Building
2, Monash University, Malaysia Campus.
Email: dlu@monash.edu (Disability Liaison Unit, Monash University Australia)

Copyright Monash University 2015. All rights reserved. Except as provided in the Copyright Act 1968, this work may not be reproduced in any form
without the written permission of the host Faculty and School/Department.
11