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Computational Engineering (ECM3152)

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Module status - Active
Module description status - Inactive
Credits - 15
College code - EMP
Academic year - 2014/5

Module staff

Professor Gavin Tabor (G.R.Tabor@exeter.ac.uk) - Convenor

Duration (weeks) - term 1

Duration (weeks) - term 2

Duration (weeks) - term 3

Number students taking module (anticipated)

Module description

Computers can use numerical methods and algorithyms to analyse and solve problems, including fluid flows - fluids in motion. They can also perform stress analyses - to determine the stresses and strains in materials and structures subject to forces or loads. Computational engineering covers everything from aircraft, cars and racing cars to blood flow.

Practical work and theory go hand in hand on this 100% coursework module, providing you with a solid introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Stress Analysis (CSA); exploring the theory of CFD and Finite Element (FE) analysis, the mathematical modelling of fluids and stresses in solids, and computational issues.

This module introduces you to numerical design approaches currently used in industry to analyse systems. You will examine their common pitfalls, as well as gaining experience of using commercial CFD and Finite Element (FE) codes. Practically, you will use industry standard codes to tackle miniprojects on fluid flow and stress analysis, which encourages you to work independently with industry standard codes.

By the end of this module, you should have a strong grasp of CFD and FEA and be able to use the codes fluently to model various articles and systems, as well as having gained an introduction to Finite Difference techniques. You should also be competent in applying a numerical analysis for a specified engineering design problem and be able to check the accuracy of numerical results. Year 3 students often build on their computational engineering skills by applying them to their third year project, during the last term.

Prerequisite module: ECM1102, ECM2109, ECM2113, ECM2114 or equivalent

Corequisite module: ECM3151 or equivalent

Module aims

The purpose of this module is to introduce you to the main numerical design approaches currently used by industry to analyse mechanical systems. You will examine common pitfalls associated with these approaches, and will gain experience in using common commercial CFD and FE codes. Furthermore, you will use numerical packages, giving you the ability to perform a more in-depth individual project in the sixth term.

In addition, this module covers the topics of journal bearings and fracture, using a problem-based learning approach in the case studies, and examining them through the report and viva. You will hone your independent learning skills through investigating these topics through a combination of background reading, private study and computational analysis.

This module covers Specific Learning Outcomes in Engineering, which apply to accredited programmes at Bachelors/MEng/Masters level. These contribute to the educational requirements for CEng registration (as defined under the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence – UK-SPEC).

This module correlates to references U1, E1 - E3, S3, P1, P4, MU1 - MU3 and ME1 - ME3. These references are indices of the specific learning outcomes expected of Bachelors/MEng/Masters candidates set out in UK-SPEC, codified with reference to systems used by professional accrediting institutions. A full list of the standards can be found on the Engineering Council's website, at http://www.engc.org.uk

ILO: Module-specific skills

1. rapidly choose and implement an appropriate numerical analysis for a specified engineering design problem;
2. explain the basic concepts of Finite Difference, Finite Volume and Finite Element analysis;
3. describe how to check the accuracy and relevance of numerical results;
4. state where and when more advanced concepts must be implemented, e.g turbulence, non-linear geometry and/or material;
5. apply theoretical analysis of long journal bearings and contrast with practical cases;
6. comprehend the theoretical processes involved in fracture and contrast with realistic fracture failure.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

7. understand the core mechanical engineering theoretical concepts covered in the module;
8. incorporate computational analysis into the design process.

ILO: Personal and key skills

9. write concise technical reports;
10. monitor your own progress;
11. set realistic targets;
12. modify your targets and learning strategies appropriately;
13. provide constructive feedback to teaching staff.

Syllabus plan

- eleven teaching weeks, (see detailed learning outcomes/assessment criteria for detail);

- introduction to computational methods and applications;

- finite difference schemes: differencing, implicit vs explicit schemes, stability, convergence;

- introduction to finite element techniques using 1-d : cantilever beam;

- familiarisation with industry standard FE code;

- shape functions;

- stiffness Matrix;

- Von-Mises stress;

- non-linear behaviour;

- introduction to CFD;

- basics of Finite Volume methodology;

- PISO and SIMPLE algorithms;

- boundary conditions;

- turbulence modelling;

- familiarity with Standard CFD code: simple flow cases, (flow around cylinder, lid driven cavity);

- case studies: Long Journal Bearing Theory, Fracture Mechanics.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
31	119	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	11	Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	20	Supervised computer time
Guided independent study	119	Lecture and assessment preparation; wider reading

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Not applicable

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Coursework problem sheets	30	5 hours	1, 6, 9	Written, e-mail and class discussion
Coursework 1st case study	35	50 hours	2-6, 7-13	Written, e-mail and class discussion
Coursework 2nd case study	35	50 hours	2-6, 7-13	Written, e-mail and class discussion

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
All above	Coursework (100%)	All	Completed over summer with a deadline in August

Re-assessment notes

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.

If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Type	Author	Title	Edition	Publisher	year	ISBN
Set	Chapra, S.C. and Canale. R.P	Numerical Methods for Engineers	6th	McGraw-Hill	2010	9780071267595
Set	Versteeg H K and Malalasekera V	An Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics: The finite volume method	2nd	Pearson/Prentice Hall	2007	9780131274983
Set	Henwood, D.J. and Bonet, J.	Finite Elements. A Gentle Introduction		Macmillan	1996	9780333646267

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

ECM1102, ECM2113, ECM2114, ECM2109

Module co-requisites

ECM3151

NQF level (module)

Available as distance learning?

Origin date

19/11/2012

Last revision date

09/10/2013

Key words search

Computational simulation; finite difference; finite volume; finite element; turbulence simulation; elasticity.