Course detail

Machine Design - Machine Elements

FSI-5KS-A Acad. year: 2026/2027 Winter semester

A key course in mechanical engineering focused on the design and assessment of fundamental machine elements and joints with respect to function, strength, and service life. Students learn methodologies for structural and strength design of shafts, bearings, joints, and springs using standards and engineering practice guidelines. The course systematically integrates knowledge from mechanics, strength of materials, and materials engineering into a coherent methodology for designing machine assemblies at the bachelor’s level.

Supervisor

prof. Ing. Martin Hartl, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Machine and Industrial Design

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Prerequisites

Before enrolling, the student must:
• have passed the course Strength of Materials I (4PP, 4PP-A),
• understand the basics of mechanics and strength of materials (equilibrium of systems, internal forces in beams, stress, strain, fundamental stress states, basics of material fatigue),
• know basic engineering materials and their mechanical properties,
• be able to produce and read technical drawings according to ČSN/ISO,
• handle common engineering calculations (units, conversions, reading tables, diagrams, and standards).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

The course is completed by an examination following successful completion of coursework.

The coursework (credit) confirms that the student participated actively during tutorials and was able to solve assigned tasks correctly and independently. A minimum of 50 points out of 100 must be earned through two in-semester tests. Points earned during the semester are not carried into the exam.

The examination verifies comprehensive understanding of the subject and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge independently and creatively. The exam consists of a written and an optional oral part. The written exam (90 minutes, on-site) is mandatory for all students and evaluated with 0–100 points; at least 50 points are required to pass. The oral exam is optional and available only to students scoring 80–89 points who wish to improve their grade from B to A. Students who achieve 90–100 points on the written exam automatically receive grade A without an oral exam.

Final evaluation follows the ECTS grading scale according to the BUT Study and Examination Rules.

Language of instruction

English

Aims

The course aims to provide students with the fundamentals of strength and design analysis of machine elements, which are required for independent design and assessment of basic machine assemblies. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between loading, material, geometry, and reliability, as well as on failure prevention and the application of standards and engineering calculation procedures.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- explain mechanisms and causes of failure of basic machine elements under static and fatigue loading, including the influence of material, surface condition, friction, and lubrication,
- design and verify basic machine elements – joints, mechanical springs, bearings and seals,
- select an appropriate type of element, material, and mounting method with respect to function, service life, safety, manufacturability, and maintenance,
- integrate designed elements into simple mechanical assemblies and verify their performance through calculation.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The study programmes with the given course

Programme B-MET-P: Mechatronics, Bachelor's
branch ---: no specialisation, 6 credits, compulsory-optional

Programme B-STI-A: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's
branch ---: no specialisation, 6 credits, compulsory

Programme B-ZSI-P: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's
branch STI: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, 6 credits, compulsory-optional

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

39 hours, optionally

Syllabus


  1. Introduction to machine design. Limit states, design factor, safety factor.

  2. Static failure. Fatigue failure under variable loading.

  3. Shafts and axles. Shaft–hub joints.

  4. Machine element surfaces. Contact mechanics. Friction, lubrication, wear.

  5. Rolling bearings. Relationship between load, life and reliability. Combined and variable loading. Modified life equation.

  6. Tapered roller bearings. Bearing lubrication and bearing arrangement design.

  7. Classification of joints. Power screws. Fasteners.

  8. Preloaded bolted joints. Riveted joints.

  9. Welded, brazed and adhesive joints.

  10. Helical compression, tension and torsion springs. Disc and leaf springs.

  11. Hydrodynamic lubrication theory. Hydrodynamic journal bearings.

  12. Journal bearings with pressure-fed lubrication. Boundary-lubricated journal bearings.

  13. Pipes and fittings, recap and exam preparation.

Computer-assisted exercise

26 hours, compulsory

Syllabus


  1. Stress and strain analysis.

  2. Static failure analysis.

  3. Fatigue failure under variable loading. Shaft deflection and vibration analysis.

  4. Fatigue failure under variable loading.

  5. Shaft design for fatigue limit state.

  6. Shaft–hub connections. Credit test.

  7. Rolling bearing design for shaft support.

  8. Bolts under axial loading.

  9. Bolted joints under variable loading. Bolted joints loaded transversely.

  10. Welded joints.

  11. Helical springs.

  12. Journal bearings. Credit test.

  13. Journal bearings.