2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Integrating a Design Project into a Mechanics of Materials Course to Enhance Student Engagement and Learning
Mechanics of Materials is a core course in the mechanical engineering program, covering essential topics like stress, strain, stress-strain behavior, material properties, and the analysis of structural components such as bars, shafts, and beams under various loading conditions. The course aims to prepare students for real-world component design.
This 4-credit course in our mechanical engineering program includes three hours of lectures and two hours of lab work each week. Lectures focus on explaining theoretical concepts and solving example problems. Labs include both hands-on experiments—such compression, shear, tensile and torsion tests, and virtual labs, including finite element analysis (FEA) simulations of axially loaded bars, twisted shafts, and bending beams.
Historically, the course lacked a design project component, even though students expressed interest in applying their knowledge to real-world scenarios. To address this, a team-based design project was introduced to enhance engagement and reinforce learning through practical application.
The project involves designing a suspender arm for a gondola lift system. Teams begin with a literature review of gondola lift systems, followed by selecting appropriate materials and designing the arm to withstand the specified combined loading. They then use FEA software to simulate the performance of their design and assess the factor of safety. The final deliverable is a detailed technical report.
This paper outlines the development and implementation of the design project in the course and includes student feedback highlighting how the project improved their understanding and motivation.