course-details-portlet

TKT4135

Materials Mechanics

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Aggregate score

About

About the course

Course content

Stresses and strains. Elasticity and thermoelasticity. Anisotropy and symmetry planes. Linear viscoelasticity. Plasticity and viscoplasticity (yield criteria, flow law, hardening, effects of strain rate and temperature). Practical use of the finite element method for nonlinear materials.

Learning outcome

Materials mechanics is an advanced course in solid mechanics for students who have chosen a major in structural engineering or industrial mechanics at MTBYGG, MTING and MTPROD. The course covers theories of elastic, viscoelastic, elasto-plastic, elasto-viscoplastic materials and provides a practical introduction to non-linear finite element methods.

Materials mechanics has the following learning objectives:

Knowledge: The candidate should have knowledge of:

- Continuum mechanics for small deformations

- Linear elasticity theory for isotropic and anisotropic materials

- Linear viscoelasticity

- Plasticity (yield criteria, flow laws and hardening rules)

- Viscoplasticity

- Practical use of non-linear finite element methods for small deformations

Skills: The candidate knows how to:

- Select the mathematical model to describe the behaviour of a material

- Determine the parameters of mathematical models for materials from laboratory experiments

- Perform element analysis of components and structures with non-linear material behaviour

General competence: The candidate knows:

- Mathematical modelling of materials

- Parameter identification from laboratory experiments

- Non-linear finite element methods for small deformations.

Digital competence: Students will acquire practical competence in finite element modelling using Abaqus/Standard, in particular modelling metal plasticity for engineering applications. Additionally, students are asked to write and run simple Python scripts in some of the homework assignments and in the project, essentially curve fitting, plotting, definition of simple functions, and loops.

Sustainability competence: The course serves to give students appropriate skills to choose the right material for the right application, and to optimize material resources.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and compulsory exercises. 50 % of the homework exercises must be approved to get access to the exam. The lectures and exercises are in English when students who do not speak Norwegian take the course. If the teaching is given in English the Examination papers will be given in English only, but they can be answered in Norwegian. Students are free to choose Norwegian or English for written assessments.

Compulsory assignments

  • Exercises

Further on evaluation

80 % of the grade comes from the final exam, 20 % comes from a mandatory project that can be done in groups of up to 3 students.

If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Course materials

Lecture notes. Additional literature: Niels Saabye Ottosen and Matti Ristinmaa, "The Mechanics of Constitutive Modeling": https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780080446066/the-mechanics-of-constitutive-modeling

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
SIO1046 7.5 sp
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Mechanics
  • Technological subjects

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Structural Engineering

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

School exam
Weighting 80/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.
Project assignment
Weighting 20/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Re-sit examination - Summer 2026

School exam
Weighting 80/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.