Mechanical Engineering Systems

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Foundations of Electrical Networks develops an understanding of fundamental modelling techniques for the analysis of systems that involve electrical phenomena. This includes networks models of “flow-drop” one-port elements in steady state (DC and AC), electrical power systems, simple RC and RL transient analysis, and networks involving ideal and non-ideal operational amplifiers.

It forms the foundation of many engineering subjects exploring fundamental concepts in electrical and electronic engineering.

The subject will cover key electrical engineering topics in the areas of:
Electrical phenomena – charge, current, electrical potential, conservation of energy and charge, the generation, storage, transport and dissipation of electrical power.
Network models – networks of “flow-drop” one-port elements, Kirchoff’s laws, standard current-voltage models for one-ports (independent sources, resistors, capacitors, inductors, transducers, diodes), analysis of static networks, properties of linear time-invariant (LTI) one-ports and impedance functions, diodes, transformers, steady-state (DC and AC) analysis of LTI networks via mesh and node techniques, equivalent circuits, and transient analysis of simple circuits;
Electrical power systems – overview of power generation and transmission, analysis of single-phase and balanced three-phase AC power systems.

Analysis and design of networks involving ideal and non-ideal operational amplifiers.

This material will be complemented by exposure to software tools for the simulation of electrical and electronic systems and the opportunity to develop basic electrical engineering laboratory skills using a prototyping breadboard, digital multimeter, function generator, DC power supply, and oscilloscope.

Please view this video for further information: Foundations of Electrical Networks

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This subject introduces important mathematical methods required in engineering such as manipulating vector differential operators, computing multiple integrals and using integral theorems. A range of ordinary and partial differential equations are solved by a variety of methods and their solution behaviour is interpreted. The subject also introduces series including the concepts of convergence and divergence.

Topics include: Vector calculus, including Gauss’ and Stokes’ Theorems; systems of homogeneous ordinary differential equations, including phase plane and linearisation for nonlinear systems; Laplace transforms; series, including Taylor series and power series; Fourier series and Fourier integrals; second order partial differential equations and separation of variables.

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The aim of this subject is to equip students with computational tools for solving common physical engineering problems. The focus of the lectures is on archetypical physical engineering problems and their solutions via the effective implementation of classical algorithms.

Indicative content: basic programming concepts and construction such as: arrays, loops, conditional statements and functions; numerical computation techniques such as: root finding, systems of linear algebraic equations, least squares, interpolation, differentiation, integration, numerical integration of ordinary differential equations and two-point boundary value problems, numerical stability and convergence, numerical schemes using Fourier analysis

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The aim of this subject is to provide an introduction to modelling the stresses and deformations that occur when axial and flexural loads are applied to a body in static equilibrium, as well as the translational and rotational motions that eventuate in a body subject to different load applications. The learning will be conducted in the classroom and lab, utilising team-based approach and principles of active learning.

The subject provides the basis for all the mechanical engineering subjects that follow. The calculations introduced in this subject are the most common type of calculations performed by professional mechanical engineers in all sectors of the industry.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics to be covered include free-body diagrams; equilibrium of rigid bodies; stresses and strains; coordinate systems; statically indeterminate systems; flexure; particle kinematics; particle kinetics; impulse and momentum; rigid body kinematic and dynamics; angular impulse and momentum; work and energy.

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AIMS

This course is an introduction to basic principles of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. These two subjects are introduced together in a single course, reflecting the large degree of cross-over in applications and basic first principles between the two subjects.

Fluid mechanics is a very important core subject, influencing a diverse range of engineering systems (aircraft, ships, road vehicle design, air conditioning, energy conversion, wind turbines, hydroelectric schemes to name but a few) and also impacts on many biological (blood flow, bird flight etc) and even meteorological studies. As engineers, we are typically concerned with predicting the force required to move a body through a fluid, or the power required to pump fluid through a system. However, before we can achieve this goal, we must start from fundamental principles governing fluid flow.

Thermodynamics could be defined as the science of energy. This subject can be broadly interpreted to include all aspects of energy and energy transformations. Like fluid mechanics, this is a hugely important subject in engineering, underpinning many key engineering systems including power generation, engines, gas turbines, refrigeration, heating etc. This unit again starts from first principles to introduce the basic concepts of thermodynamics, paving the way for later more advanced units

This course aims to develop a fundamental understanding of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, based on first principles and physical arguments. Real world engineering examples will be used to illustrate and develop an intuitive understanding of these subjects.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

Topics include:

Fluid Mechanics - fluid statics, static forces on submerged structures, stability of floating bodies; solid body motion; fluid dynamics; streamlines; pathlines and streaklines; conservation of mass, momentum and energy; Euler's equation and Bernoulli's equation; control volume analysis; dimensional analysis; incompressible flow in pipes and ducts; boundary layers; flow around immersed bodies; and drag and lift.

Thermodynamics - heat and work, ideal non-flow and flow processes; laws of thermodynamics; Carnot's principle; Clausius inequality; direct and reversed heat engines; thermal efficiencies; properties of pure substances; change of phase; representation of properties; steam and air tables; and vapour equation of state, ideal gases.

Please view this video for further information: Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics

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AIMS

This subject consists of three distinct and fundamentally related topics -

• An introduction to the fundamentals of materials science will be given on atomic structure and bonding, crystal structures and defects, elastic and plastic deformation, dislocations and strengthening and failured (fast fracture, fatigue and creep)

• The mechanics of materials section will extend the concepts of material mechanical behaviour by detailing elastic/inelastic behaviour and introducing the concepts of stress and strain analysis. Topics covered may include the definition of principal stresses, plane stress, plane strain, two-dimensional stress and strain analysis, torsion, pure bending, transverse loading, Mohr’s circle, failure criteria, inelastic behaviour, residual stress

• This subject will also provide an introduction to finite element analysis (FEA) and its application for stress-strain analysis. Particular emphasis will be placed on the fundamental mechanisms by which materials fail under loading.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

• Mechanics: the definition of principal stresses, plane stress, plane strain, two-dimensional stress and strain analysis, torsion, pure bending, transverse loading, Mohr’s circle, failure criteria, inelastic behaviour, residual stress.
• Materials: atomic structure and bonding, crystal structures and defects, elastic and plastic deformation, dislocations and strengthening and failure (fast fracture, fatigue and creep).
• Finite element analysis (FEA): FEA procedure, application of FEA to discrete systems and continuous bodies.

Please view this video for further information: Mechanics & Materials

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This subject will cover the modelling of a range of physical systems across multiple domains as ordinary differential equations, and then introduce the mathematical techniques to analyse their open loop behaviour.

Topics include:

• Development of low order models of a range of electrical, thermal, mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic dynamic systems
• Different representations of these systems (time and, frequency domains) and transformations between them (Laplace, Fourier and Z-transforms)
• Representations of systems – transfer functions, Bode plots, state space, block diagrams, etc
• Identification of linear time invariant systems (least squares identification)
• Relation to time domain properties of open loop responses – stability, oscillations, etc.

MATLAB will be used throughout the course to complement the presented concepts.

Please view this video for further information: Systems Modelling and Analysis

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This subject introduces students to the conceptual engineering design process, emphasising the real-world application and hands-on experience using machine elements. The subject will cover how machines work, including the fundamentals of relevant mechanical and electronics elements to realise autonomous mechanical and mechatronics systems.

Students will engage in problem clarification, ideation, concept evaluation, and prototyping, developing tangible prototypes through iterative design and testing. The design process includes evaluating concepts against environmental, socio-economic, and human factors.

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