Solid Mechanics Laboratory
MIT's Solid Mechanics Laboratory pairs the classroom theory of Solid Mechanics (1.050) with hands-on testing of structural materials and elements. Students run a series of experiments covering material properties such as stress, strain, and failure behavior, along with the response of simple structural elements and systems under load. Each lab builds skill in experimental technique: setting up test rigs, collecting data, reducing and analyzing results, and writing up findings in formal reports. The course is designed to be taken alongside the companion lecture subject, so the physical tests reinforce concepts like elasticity, bending, and torsion as they are introduced. Materials on MIT OpenCourseWare include lab handouts, assignments, and course structure documenting the experiments performed across the term. No instructor grading or certificate is offered through OpenCourseWare, but the full lab curriculum from MIT's Civil and Environmental Engineering department is freely available to work through independently.