Mechanical Behaviour of Materials Course | IIT Kanpur NPTEL | Syllabus, Instructors
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 138 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering, Materials Joining, Electronic Materials, Materials Characterization, Minor in Metallurgy |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 19 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Fundamentals: Mechanical Behaviour of Materials (Part - I) on NPTEL
For undergraduate students in engineering disciplines like Materials, Mechanical, Metallurgical, and Aerospace, a deep understanding of how materials respond to mechanical forces is paramount. The NPTEL course "Mechanical Behaviour of Materials (Part - I)", offered by esteemed faculty from IIT Kanpur, provides a rigorous and comprehensive foundation in this critical area. This 12-week course is meticulously designed to bridge theoretical concepts with practical understanding, preparing students for advanced studies and industry challenges.
Meet Your Expert Instructors from IIT Kanpur
The course is led by two distinguished associate professors, bringing a wealth of teaching and research experience to the virtual classroom.
Prof. Shashank Shekhar joined IIT Kanpur in 2010 and has extensive experience teaching manufacturing courses to undergraduate students. His research expertise lies in thermomechanical processing and severe plastic deformation techniques, such as machining and constrained groove pressing. This practical research insight enriches the theoretical course content.
Prof. Sudhanshu Shekhar Singh joined IIT Kanpur in 2015 and teaches courses related to manufacturing and mechanical behavior. His research focuses on the deformation behavior of materials across different length scales, laser processing, and corrosion. Their combined expertise ensures a holistic learning experience covering both fundamental and applied aspects.
Course Overview and Objectives
This course forms the first part of a detailed syllabus on material behavior. By the end of this section, students will build a strong conceptual framework in:
- The theory of elasticity and plasticity.
- The theory of dislocations and its direct connection to key mechanical properties.
- Understanding the mechanisms behind strength, fracture, fatigue, and creep in various materials.
Intended Audience: Undergraduate and first-year graduate students in Materials, Mechanical, Metallurgical, and Aerospace Engineering.
Prerequisites: A foundational course in the nature and properties of materials, such as the NPTEL course "Nature And Properties Of Materials-An Introductory Course".
Industry Support: Highly relevant for careers in Manufacturing and Automobile industries.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is structured to gradually build from basic concepts to complex mechanisms. Here’s a week-by-week breakdown:
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction, Origin of elasticity, Stress as a tensor, Transformation of stress, Principal stresses |
| Week 2 | Mohr's circle, Stress-strain relationships in isotropic and anisotropic materials |
| Week 3 | Viscoelasticity, Tensile testing, Universal testing machines |
| Week 4 | Flow stress, Yield criterion: Tresca, von-Mises, Effective stress, Effective strain |
| Week 5 | Plastic instability, Effect of strain Rate and temperature, Dislocations: discovery and fundamentals |
| Week 6 | Dislocations: characteristics, stress/strain fields, Energy, Dislocation motion: glide |
| Week 7 | Dislocation motion: Cross-slip and climb, slip systems |
| Week 8 | Critical resolved shear stress, Dislocation interactions, Image forces, Partial dislocations |
| Week 9 | Strengthening mechanisms: Precipitation & Dispersion strengthening |
| Week 10 | Solid solution strengthening, Yield point phenomenon, Grain boundary strengthening |
| Week 11 | Strain hardening, Taylor hardening, Dislocation multiplication, Summary of strengthening |
| Week 12 | Hardness testing, Impact testing, Mechanical behavior of composites |
Essential Reference Books
To supplement the video lectures, students are encouraged to refer to these authoritative textbooks, which are classics in the field:
- Mechanical Behaviour of Materials by M. A. Meyers and K. K. Chawla
- Mechanical Metallurgy by G.W. Dieter
- Mechanical Behavior of Materials by William F. Hosford
- Introduction to Dislocations by D. Hull and D.J. Bacon
- Deformation Behaviour and Fracture Mechanics of Engineering Materials by R. W. Hertzberg
- Mechanical Behaviour of Materials by Courtney
Why Enroll in This Course?
This course is more than just a syllabus; it's a gateway to understanding the "why" behind material failure and performance. Whether you aim to design safer automobiles, develop stronger alloys, or innovate in aerospace components, the principles taught here are indispensable. The blend of theoretical depth (stress tensors, dislocation theory) with practical aspects (testing methods, strengthening techniques) makes it perfectly aligned with both academic and industrial needs. Enroll in Mechanical Behaviour of Materials (Part - I) on NPTEL to build a robust foundation for your engineering career.
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