An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

CHAPTER 3
Technical Problem-
Solving and
Communication Skills

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

General Technical Problem-Solving

Approach
• Engineers expect consistency in the problem-solving process.

• By developing and presenting a systematic solution, you will

reduce the chance of making common mistakes.

• Work should generally be organized and presented by using a

three-step procedure.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

General Technical Problem-Solving

Approach cont.
1. Approach. Write a short summary of the problem and explain the
general approach you plan on using to “tackle” the problem.
2. Solution. Includes all diagrams and calculations along with text
explaining the major steps taken.
3. Discussion. Provides an evaluation of your solution while
demonstrating an understanding of the assumptions and equations
used.

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A Problem Solving Example for Engineers

• [Link]

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Unit Systems and Conversions

• A unit is an arbitrary division of a physical quantity,
which has a magnitude that is agreed upon by mutual
consent.

• There are two main unit systems used in engineering:

• International System of Units (SI)
• United States Customary System (USCS)

• Both the USCS and SI are made up of base units and

derived units.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Base and Derived Units

• Base units are fundamental quantities that cannot be

expressed in terms of any simpler elements.

• Derived units are combinations of several different base units.

• Length is a base unit expressed as meter (m) in the SI, and the
foot (ft) in the USCS.

• Velocity is a derived unit expressed as (length/time), which is a

combination of the base units for length and time.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Common Base Units

Quantity SI Base Unit USCS Base Unit

Length Meter (m) Foot (ft)

Mass Kilogram (kg) Slug

Time Second (s) Second (s)

Electric current Ampere (A) Ampere (A)

Temperature Kelvin (K) Degree Rankine (°R)

Amount of substance Mole (mol) Mole (mol)

Light intensity Candela (cd) Candela (cd)

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Prefixes
• Prefixes are used to shorten the representation of numerical values. The
standard prefixes for SI are listed below.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Focus On: Mass and Weight

Mass Weight

Mass m measures the quantity of matter Weight is the force that is needed to
that is contained in the object. support an object against gravitational
attraction.

Does not vary with position, motion, or Varies with gravitational acceleration.
changes in the object’s shape.

Weight
Mass= Weight = Mass ∙ Gravity
Gravity

Gravity is normally taken to be 32.2 ft/s2 (USCS)

or 9.81 m/s2 (SI).
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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Converting Between the SI and USCS

• Unit conversion factors enable engineers to convert values
from USCS to an equivalent value in SI and vice versa.

• The conversion process involves changes being made both

to the numerical value and to the units associated with it.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Unit Conversion Process

The general procedure for converting between the two systems is as
follows:

1. Write the given quantity as a number followed by its dimensions, which

could involve a fractional expression such as kg/s or N/m.
2. Identify the units desired in the final result.
3. If derived units such as Pa, N, or lbm are present in the quantity, you may
find it necessary to expand them in terms of their definitions and base
units.
4. Likewise, if the given quantity includes a prefix that is not incorporated in
the conversion factors, expand the quantity according to the prefix
definitions listed in the Table on slide 7.
5. Look up the appropriate conversion factor, and multiply or divide, as
necessary, the given quantity by it.
6. Apply the rules of algebra to cancel dimensions in the calculation and to
reduce the units to the ones that you want in the final result.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Unit Conversions
Quantity USCS SI
Length 1 ft = 0.3048 m

Area 1 ft2 = 9.2903 × 10−2 m2

Volume 1 ft3 = 28.32 L

Mass 1 slug = 14.5939 kg

Force 1 lb = 4.4482 N

Pressure or stress 1 psi = 6895 Pa

Work, energy, or heat 1 ft · lb = 1.356 J

Power 1 (ft · lb)/s = 1.356 W

See Table 3.6 in textbook for a more comprehensive list
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Table 3.6

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Significant Digits and Precision

• A significant digit is one that is known to be precise despite

the inaccuracy present in the supplied information.

• The precision of a number is half as large as the place of

the last significant digit that is present in the number.

Tip :
Avoid reporting more significant digits in an answer than are given in
the supplied information, since that implies that your calculation is
somehow more accurate.

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Significant Digits and Precision

• As a general rule, the last significant digit that you report in the
answer to a problem should have the same order of magnitude as
the last significant digit in the given data.

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Significant Digits

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Precision

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Find the number of significant digits of the following
numbers:

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Arithmetic with Significant Numbers

While calculating by paying attention to significant figures, the following

rules are generally followed:

• For multiplication and division, the result must contain at least as

many significant digits as the number with significant digits.

• For addition and subtraction, the result must contain at least as many
digits as the number containing digits.

As a general rule, the number of digits and significant digits in the

intermediate steps is not taken into account, the number of digits or
significant digits in the result is taken into account.

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Significant Number Example: Multiplication
and Division
• 8.000 ÷ 532 = 0.015037594 Rounded Result = ?

• 0.00005 x 9740 = 0.487 Rounded Result = ?

• 0.03010 x 5030 = 151.403 Rounded Result = ?

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Significant Number Example: Addition and
Subtraction
• 13.0198 + 1.2

• 94.00 + 15 + 182.113

• 59.21 - 18.8722

• 8.679 + 0.3 + 5.88

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Dimensional Consistency

• Dimensional consistency means that the units associated with

the numerical values on each side of an equality sign match.

• Using the principle of dimensional consistency, you can double-

check your calculation and develop greater confidence in its
accuracy.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Example: Second Law of Motion

• Newton’s second law of motion states that:
F  ma Force = mass · acceleration
• Force has units of newtons (N) where
kg∙m
1N= 1 2
s
• Thus, a 10 kg rock free falling on earth would have a force of

m kg ∙ m
𝐹 = 10 kg 9.81 2 = 98.1 2
= 98.1 N
s s

• Note that the units on both sides are consistent. This

equation therefore displays dimensional consistency.

See Examples 3.4-3.7 in textbook

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 Estimation in Engineering

• According to Oxford Advanced

Learners Dictionary, an estimate is a
«judgement or calculation of the
approximate size, cost, value etc. of
something».
• A broad variety of activites benefit
from the use of estimation in
engineering, including evaluating the
feasibility of and idea in product
design, planning projects or
experiments, sizing and selecting
materials or components.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Estimation in Engineering

• In most early design stages, engineers often make

estimations referred to as back-of-the-envelope
calculations to solve technical problems.
• Such estimations remove extraneous factors that
complicate the problem but that have little influence
on a final result.
• Order-of-magnitude estimations are used to
evaluate potential design options for their feasibility.
They are normally accurate to a factor of 10.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Communication Skills in Engineering

• Engineers do much of their daily communication

through a variety of written documents, including
notebooks, reports, and user’s manuals.

• These documents are used to explain technical

information and can be used to defend patents.

• Engineering reports generally include text, drawings,

photographs, calculations, and graphs chronicling the
history of a product’s design, testing, manufacture,
and revision.
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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Engineering Report Format

1. Cover page - Indicates the purpose of the report, the product

or technical issue involved, the date, and the names of those
involved in preparing the report.
2. Executive summary - Summarizes the full report for readers.
3. Body - Reviews prior work and then describes in detail the
design, the supporting decisions, the results of testing,
performance calculations, and other technical information.
4. Conclusion - Highlights the major findings and offers specific
recommendations.
5. Appendices - Contains information that supports the
recommendations made in the report.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Graphical Communication
• Graphical representations are arguably the best way to convey
complex technical information.

• Modes of graphical communication include hand sketches,

dimensioned drawings, computer-generated renderings, graphs,
and tables.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Graphical Communication cont.

The following best practices are demonstrated in the table below:
• Units for each column are present.
• Appropriate borders to separate the data are present.
• The number of significant digits in each column is consistent.
• The headings are capitalized and bolded.
• The data is aligned to make each column easy to read.

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Graphical Communication cont.

The following best practices are demonstrated in the figure below:
 The axes are clearly labeled, including appropriate units.
 A descriptive title accompanies the graph.
 A trend line clearly demonstrates the linear relationship between
the variables.
 The number of gridlines is minimal and used only for visual aids.
 The data spans the axes, eliminating large areas of empty space.

Unit !

Axis defination

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Graphical Communication cont.

• On graphs, error bars are used to show the error or uncertainty in a

given measurement. They are graphical representations of data
variability.

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Example 3.41
The modulus of elasticity, modulus of rigidity, Poisson’s ratio, and the unit
weight for various materials are shown below. The data is given as Material;
Modulus of Elasticity, E (Mpsi & GPa); Modulus of Rigidity, G (Mpsi & GPa);
Poisson’s Ratio; and Unit Weight (lb/in3, lb/ft3, kN/m3). Prepare a single table
that captures this technical data in a professional and effective manner.

Aluminum alloys 10.3 / 71.0 / 3.8 / 26.2 / 0.334 / 0.098 / 169 / 26.6
Beryllium copper 18.0 / 124.0 / 7.0 / 48.3 / 0.285 / 0.297 / 513 / 80.6
Brass 15.4 /106.0 / 5.82 / 40.1 / 0.324 / 0.309 / 534 / 83.8
Carbon steel 30.0 / 207.0 / 11.5 / 79.3 / 0.292 / 0.282 / 487 / 76.5
Cast iron 14.5 / 100.0 / 6.0 / 41.4 / 0.211 / 0.260 / 450 / 70.6
Copper 17.2 / 119.0 / 6.49 / 44.7 / 0.326 / 0.322 / 556 / 87.3
Glass 6.7 / 46.2 / 2.7 / 18.6 / 0.245 / 0.094 / 162 / 25.4
Lead 5.3 / 36.5 / 1.9 / 13.1 / 0.425 / 0.411 / 710 / 111.5

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How to make literature search on a subject?
• Literature search is a key step in performing good authentic research.
It helps in formulating a research question and planning the study.
• Common Tools: ScienceDirect, Web of Science
[Link]

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How to make literature search on a subject?

[Link]

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An Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, SI, Fourth Edition Wickert/Lewis

Summary
• Engineering problems are approached in a
systematic manner.
• It is vital for engineers to be comfortable with unit
conversions and working in both the USCS and SI
systems.
• Numerical values, dimensional consistency,
significant digits, order-of-magnitude
approximations, and the ability to communicate
technical results are crucial to engineers.
• Engineers need to be clear about numerical values
and dimensions when they perform calculations.

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