Mechanical Systems Analysis

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Conduct analysis spanning more than one engineering subject area in order to support design and investment decisions;
• Identify ways to analyse complex mechanical systems in the real world, considering aspects of system dynamics, structure, materials, fluid flow, energy, electrical and electronic sub-systems, and the economic and environmental context.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Develop simplified mathematical models in order to analyse real mechanical systems, justifying approximations and acknowledging their limitations;
• Critically assess the use of analytical and computational models, explaining relevant uncertainties in the modelling;
• Obtain knowledge from primary scientific literature.
• Devise and plan experiments and laboratory tests in support of achieving an engineering objective, including the use of dimensional analysis to relate laboratory tests to practical systems;
• Analyse engineering challenges and devise engineering objectives in a way that facilitates innovation;

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Entrepreneurship, innovation and the knowledge economy.
• The roles and responsibilities of professional Mechanical Engineers, including identification and discussion of ethical issues arising in case studies;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Deliver technical presentations tailored to your audience, using appropriate presentation aides;
• Identify ways to enhance the success of teams in decision making and problem solving;
• Analyse your own skillset and the competencies you will need, then identify and pursue opportunities for professional development;

Semester 1

• Introduction to the module
• Assignment introduction
• Future perspectives in Mechanical Engineering
• Communication skills: writing and presentations
• Personal development planning
• Ethics in Engineering
• Creativity and entrepreneurial behaviour
• Personal development planning
• The Knowledge economy
• Thinking like an Engineer: estimates, assumptions, and graphing guidelines.

Semester 2

• Analytical approaches:
• Analysis of complex real-world systems
• Techno-economic evaluation
• Literature review
• Experimental design
• Mathematical modelling, assumptions and model reduction
• Computational modelling, model verification, model validation
• Application of fundamental aspects of thermo-fluids, structures, materials, dynamics, electrical, computation and design.
• Case studies, including:
• Aircraft structural design
• Exhaust energy recovery
• Offshore energy systems

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include:

The core material in the module is taught through lectures and small group discussions. The lecture material is also supported through problem-based learning. Students will participate in formative individual and group-work activities that will develop a range of skills necessary for a Professional Engineer and explore the relevance of navigating scientific literature to arrive at educated engineering judgements for mechanical systems analysis.

Semester 1 and 2 – Individual assignments via small group discussion and presentation:

• Critically evaluate your professional skills, practice and development;
• Discuss/reflect on what general principles regarding being a professional engineer might be derived from your experiences in taking part in this module and how you might apply these principles later in your career;
• Discuss/reflect on whether and how your experience of taking part in this module has influenced your assumptions on the meaning of being a professional engineer and the implications this might have for your own future practice and development.

Three group assignments to be conducted:

Three timetabled slots in Semester 2 will be used for small tutorial groups to verbally present their proposed approaches to the case studies via handouts and powerpoint presentations and to allow the personal tutors to give detailed feedback on the group’s approaches to addressing the detailed case studies in Semester 2. This will give students a valuable opportunity to work together in learning groups to understand how to approach mechanical engineering systems problems in the way that the final (individual) mechanical systems analysis take-home summative assessment for this module will require.

Learning Activities

• Lectures
• Timetabled tutorial slots in Semester 1 and 2
• Problem-based learning
• Tutorials
• Individual assignments within case studies/mini-projects
• Group based case study analysis
• Giving a presentation
• Interactive classroom work
• Private research and study

Assessment strategy

The learning outcomes of this module will be assessed under the Part I Assessment Schedule for FEE Engineering Programmes which forms an Appendix to your Programme Specification.

Feedback will be available on the formative work undertaken during the module.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.