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Module

MEC3029 : Advanced Mechanics and Structural Optimisation

  • Offered for Year: 2023/24
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Francis Franklin
  • Lecturer: Professor Peter Gosling, Dr Barry Gallacher
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

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 equations of motion for collection of
particles and rigid bodies.
4.       Analysis of structures using first principles of finite element methods (hand calculations)
5.       Introduction to structural optimisation and it's uses in design
6.       Introduction to heuristic optimisation techniques.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion130:0030:00Target hours to complete coursework assignment submission
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture201:0020:00PiP - Lectures
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion12:002:00End of Semester Examination.
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion138:0038:00Recommended revision for exams, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching103:0030:00PiP - Computer cluster sessions
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching151:0015:00PiP - Tutorial sessions
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study165:0065:00Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes
Total200:00
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.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1202A60N/A
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Reflective log1M40Hook design-make-test coursework and logbook submission (max 30 hrs).
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.

Reading Lists

Timetable