Physics for Sustainable Structural Systems (1BPHYC102/202)

Physics for Sustainable Structural Systems

Course Code 1BPHYC102/202 
Semester I/II
CIE Marks 50
Teaching Hours/Week(L:T:P: S) 3:0:2:0 
SEE Marks 50
Total Hours of Pedagogy 40 hours theory and 10-12 hours of practical sessions
Total Marks 100
Credits 4 
Exam Hours 3
Examination type (SEE) Descriptive

Module-1

Oscillations:

Simple harmonic motion (SHM), Differential equation for SHM, Springs: Stiffness factor

and its physical significance, Series and Parallel combination of springs (Derivation), Types

of springs and their applications. Theory of damped oscillations (Qualitative), Types of

damping (Graphical Approach). Engineering applications of Damped oscillations, Theory of

forced oscillations (Qualitative), Resonance, Sharpness of resonance. Resonance in LCR

Circuits (Qualitative), Numerical Problems.

Text Books: 1,2, Reference Book : 1 Number of Hours:08

Module-2

Waves and their role in structural behavior:

Types of waves, Wave propagation in beams, rods, and slabs, Boundary effects, Wave

dispersion, Damping in structures, Energy dissipation techniques in structures, Introduction

to earthquakes, General characteristics, P-waves, S-waves, Love waves, and Rayleigh

waves, Ground motion and structural response, Site effects and soil-structure interaction,

Physics of earthquakes, Richter scale of measurement and earthquake-resistant measures,

Tsunami (causes for tsunami, characteristics, adverse effects, risk reduction measures,

engineeringstructures to withstand tsunami), Seismometer and Seismograph, Accelerometer

Text Book : 3, Reference Book : 4 Number of Hours:08

Module-3

Acoustics, Radiometry and Photometry:

Acoustics: Introduction to Acoustics, Types of Acoustics, Reverberation and reverberation

time, Absorption power and Absorption coefficient, Requisites for acoustics in auditorium,

Sabine’s formula (derivation), Measurement of absorption coefficient, Factors affecting the

acoustics and remedial measures, Sound insulation and its measurements. Noise and its

measurements, Impact of noise in multi-storied buildings.

Radiometry and Photometry: Radiation quantities, Spectral quantities, Relation between

luminance and Radiant quantities, Reflectance and Transmittance, Photometry (cosine law

and inverse square law).

Text Books :1,2, Reference Books :5, 7 Number of Hours:08

Module-4

Non Destructive Testing:

Introduction to NDT, Need for inspection, Types of inspection system, Benefits of NDT.

Visual inspection, Liquid penetration test: Principles surface sreparation, Penetrant

application and development, Eddy present testing: Inspection probes, Display methods,

Ultrasonic testing: Principle, Generation of Ultrasonic, Probes, Radiography: Radiation

sources, Attenuation of radiation, Shadow formation and distortion, Identification Markers,

Numerical Problems.

Text Book : 4, Reference Book : 6 Number of Hours:08

Module-5

Smart Materials for Sustainable Structures:

Types of smart materials, Piezo, Magnetostrictive, Electrostrictive, Electro-rheological,

Magneto-rheological, Shape memory alloys, Phase transformation in shape memory alloys,

Overview of sensor technology, uses of sensors in intelligent structures, Classification of

sensors, Temperature sensor, Vibration Sensor, Strain Gauge sensors, Basic concepts of

structural health monitoring.

Text Book : 5, Reference Books :8,9 Number of Hours:08

PRACTICAL COMPONENTS OF IPCC

PART – A: FIXED SET OF EXPERIMENTS

1. Study of Forced Mechanical Oscillations and Resonance.

2. Study of the frequency response of Series & Parallel LCR circuits.

3. Determination of effective spring constant of the given springs in series and parallell

combinations.

4. Kundt’s Dust Tube – Determination of Velocity of Sound.

5. Verification of Inverse Square Law of Intensity of Light.

6. Study on types of damping (Pendulum and Damper / PHET)

7. Interpretation of graphs and images using XRD and SEM

8. Determination of wavelength of Ultrasonic using Ultrasonic Interferometer

9. Determination of Young’s Modulus of the material of the given bar using Single

Cantilever

10. STEP Interactive Physical Simulations. (Relevant to Theory part)

11. PHET Interactive Simulations (Relevant to Theory part)

12. Simple case study on acoustics (Auditorium, Cinema Hall, Etc)

13. Study of motion using spread Sheets

14. Data Analysis using Spread Sheets

PART – B: OPEN ENDED EXPERIMENTS

Open-ended experiments are a type of laboratory activity where the outcome is not

predetermined and students are given the freedom to explore, design, and conduct the

experiment based on the problem statements as per the concepts defined by the course

coordinator. It encourages creativity, critical thinking, and inquiry-based learning.

Suggested Learning Resources:

Text books:

1. Physics, Oscillations and Waves, Optics and Quantum Mechanics, H M Agarwal

and R M Agarwal, Pearson, 2025

1. Engineering Physics, Satyendra Sharma and Jyotsna Sharma, Pearson, 2018.

2. Dynamics of Structures - Theory and Applications to Earthquake Engineering

Anil K. Chopra, University of California at Berkeley, Fourth Edition. Prentice Hall

3. Non Destructive Testing - Hull, J. B., & John, V. (2015). Macmillan International

Higher Education.

4. Smart Materials in Structural Health Monitoring, Control and Biomechanics,

Suresh Bhalla (IIT Delhi), C. K. Soh, Yaowen Yang, Springer.

Reference books / Manuals:

1. Vibrations and Waves, A P French, MIT introductory Physics, 2003.

2. Engineering Physics by R. K. Gaur and S. L. Gupta, 2010 edition, Dhanpat Rai

Publications Ltd., New Delhi-110002,

3. Engineering Physics, S L Kakani, Shubra Kakani, 3rd Edition, 2020, CBS

Publishers and Distributers Pvt. Ltd., 2018.

4. Introduction to Seismology, Earthquakes, and Earth Structure, Stein, Seth, and

Michael Wysession. Blackwell Publishing, 2003.

5. Photometry Radiometry and Measurements of Optical Losses, Micheal Bukshtab,

Springer, 2nd edition.

6. Engineering Physics, S Mani Naidu, Pearson,2025

7. Building Science: Lighting and Accoustics, B. P. Singh and Devaraj Singh, Dhanpat

Rai Publications (P) Ltc.,

8. Lagoudas, D. C. Shape Memory Alloys: Modeling and Engineering Applications.

Springer, 2008. ISBN: 978-0-387-47684-1.

9. Holnicki-Szulc, J., & Rodellar, J. (Eds.). Smart Structures: Requirements and

Potential Applications in Mechanical and Civil Engineering. Springer, 1999. ISBN:

978-0-7923-5612-7.