MEC3029 : Advanced Mechanics and Structural Optimisation
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Dr Francis Franklin
- Lecturer: Dr Barry Gallacher, Mr Robert Davidson
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
1. Kinematics and kinetics of spatial rigid bodies.
2. Analysis and optimisation of structural elements to meet operational constraints.
3. Finite element analysis case studies of structural elements and materials.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Kinematics and kinetics of spatial rigid bodies, and Free Body Diagrams of spatial systems in 3D.
2. Moments of inertia, products of inertia, principle axes and the inertia tensor.
3. Angular and linear momentum, gyroscopic torque, and the Euler qquations of motion for collection of particles and rigid bodies.
4. Response of structures and structural elements to static loading, and the Castigliano method.
5. Introduction to honeycomb and sandwich structures, and hyperelastic materials.
6. Introduction to heuristic optimisation techniques.
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | PiP - Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Target hours to complete coursework assignment submission |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 28:00 | 28:00 | Recommended revision for exams, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | End of Semester Examination. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | PiP - Tutorial sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 3:00 | 30:00 | PiP - Computer cluster sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 65:00 | 65:00 | Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures convey the underlying engineering science and the approaches required to apply this to the discipline-specific problems identified. Tutorials provide additional support to the students and further consolidate taught knowledge. Private study supports the students’ self-study in reading around the lecture material and learning to solve the practical engineering problems posed by the tutorial questions.
Alternative online sessions will be offered to students if present-in-person sessions are not possible to take place due to unforeseen circumstances: - The 20 hours lectures will be replaced by 20 hours non-synchronous lecture materials; the 15 hours tutorial sessions will be online synchronous (Q&A / tutorial) sessions. (The lecture content is theory-heavy and students will benefit more from learning at their own pace.)
- The 30 hours cluster sessions will be replaced by 10 hours non-synchronous tutorial materials, and 20 hours online synchronous (Q&A / tutorial) sessions.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 60 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 40 | Report 1 - Hook design-make-test coursework and logbook submission (max 40 hours)Hook design-make-test coursework and logbook submis |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The examination tests the understanding of material presented in lectures and further reading under time constraint as required in industry.
The assignment tests the ability to apply the principles of engineering science and technological data to an open ended engineering problem. If in-person written examination is not possible due to unforeseen universal circumstances (such as a pandemic), a 24 hour take home examination will be carried out instead.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC3029's Timetable