Materials selection -case studies

6.1 Introductionand synopsis

Here we have a collection of case studies* illustrating the screening methods** of Chapter 5. Each
is laid out in the same way:
(a) the problem statement, setting the scene;
(b) the model, identifying function, objectives and constraints from which emerge the property
(c) the selection in which the full menu of materials is reduced by screening and ranking to a
(d) the postscript, allowing a commentary on results and philosophy.
Techniques for seeking further information are left to later chapters.
The first few examples are simple but illustrate the method well. Later examples are less obvious
and require clear identification of the objectives, the constraints, and the free variables. Confusion
here can lead to bizarre and misleading conclusions. Always apply common sense: does the selection
include the traditional materials used for that application? Are some members of the subset obviously
unsuitable? If they are, it is usually because a constraint has been overlooked: it must be formulated
and applied.
The case studies are deliberately simplified to avoid obscuring the method under layers of detail.
In most cases nothing is lost by this: the best choice of material for the simple example is the same
as that for the more complex, for the reasons given in Chapter 5.
limits and material indices;
short-list of viable candidates; and
6.2 Materialsfor oars
Credit for inventing the rowed boat seems to belong to the Egyptians. Boats with oars appear in
carved relief on monuments built in Egypt between 3300 and 3000 BC. Boats, before steam power,
could be propelled by poling, by sail and by oar. Oars gave more control than the other two, the
military potential of which was well understood by the Romans, the Vikings and the Venetians.
* A computer-based exploration of these and other case studies can be found in Case Studies in Materials Selection by
M.F. Ashby and D. Cebon, published by Granta Design, Trumpington Mews, 40B High Street, Trumpington CB2 2LS, UK
(1996).
**The material properties used here are taken from the CMS compilation published by Granta Design. Trumpington Mews,
40B High Street, Trumpington CB2 2LS, UK.