TSA Engineering

First step of the engineering design process?

Identify the problem

What is tensile strength?

Resistance to pulling forces

What force squeezes an object?

Compression

What is torsion?

Twisting force

What is shear?

Opposing forces acting parallel to the surface

Stress formula?

Force ÷ Area

Formula for Force?

Mass × Acceleration

Formula for Strain?

Change in Length ÷ Original Length

Formula for Torque?

Force × Distance (lever arm length)

Formula for Area of a Rectangle?

Length × Width

Formula for Volume of a Rectangular Prism?

Length × Width × Height

Pounds to Newtons?

Multiply by 4.448

Inches to Millimeters?

Multiply by 25.4

Millimeters to Inches?

Divide by 25.4

Formula for Safety Factor?

Maximum Load ÷ Expected Load

Formula for Density?

Mass ÷ Volume

Formula for Work?

Force × Distance

Example of tension in real life?

Rope in a tug-of-war

What is a truss bridge good for?

Handling both tension and compression

Common materials for lightweight design?

Aluminum and composites

Formula for force?

Mass × Acceleration

What does “iteration” mean?

Repeatedly improving a design

Purpose of a prototype?

Test an idea before final production

Example of compressive force?

Column under a roof

When does fatigue happen?

Repeated loading over time

Hardness of a material means?

Resistance to scratching or denting

What is factor of safety?

Load capacity ÷ expected load

Two types of loads on structures?

Static load and dynamic load

What is static load?

Load that doesn’t change (like weight of a building)

What is dynamic load?

Load that changes or moves (like cars on a bridge)

What is torque?

Force × Distance

What does corrosion mean?

Material deteriorating usually by chemical reaction

Why use composites?

Combine strengths of different materials

What is CNC machining?

Computer Numerical Control of materials

What is 3D printing (additive manufacturing)?

Building objects layer by layer from digital models

What does a stress-strain graph show?

How a material deforms under stress

Ultimate tensile strength?

Max stress before breaking

What is yield strength?

Stress where material begins to permanently deform

What is elastic deformation?

Material returns to original shape after stress is removed

What is plastic deformation?

Permanent change in shape after stress

Common bridge materials?

Steel and concrete and wood

Purpose of cross-bracing in structures?

Add strength and stability against sideways forces

Why choose aluminum over steel?

Lighter and corrosion-resistant

Major consideration for skyscraper design?

Wind load

What’s a free-body diagram?

Sketch showing all forces acting on an object

Common CAD software?

SolidWorks and Fusion 360 and AutoCAD

What does “ergonomics” mean?

Designing for human comfort and efficiency

What is load distribution?

Spreading force over a larger area to reduce stress

Why is redundancy important in design?

Backup systems prevent failure

Environmental impact of materials?

Energy use and pollution and recyclability

What’s an engineer’s ethical duty?

Protect public safety and health and welfare

Final step of engineering design process?

Communicate and present the solution

Formula for Stress?

Force ÷ Area

Formula for Force?

Mass × Acceleration

Formula for Strain?

Change in Length ÷ Original Length

Formula for Torque?

Force × Distance (lever arm length)

Formula for Area of a Rectangle?

Length × Width

Formula for Volume of a Rectangular Prism?

Length × Width × Height

Pounds to Newtons?

Multiply by 4.448

Inches to Millimeters?

Multiply by 25.4

Millimeters to Inches?

Divide by 25.4

Formula for Safety Factor?

Maximum Load ÷ Expected Load

Formula for Density?

Mass ÷ Volume

Formula for Work?

Force × Distance