Programme - Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Engineering
Unit Number and Title - Unit 03: Engineering Science
Assignment Title - Applications of the physical sciences to Engineering problems
Unit Learning Outcomes
LO1 Examine scientific data and apply appropriately using computational methods.
Answer: Scientific data, often complex and high-dimensional, can be effectively examined and applied through computational methods, enabling researchers to uncover hidden patterns, build predictive models, and gain deeper insights into natural phenomena. By leveraging algorithms, statistical analyses, and simulations, scientists can process large datasets, identify significant correlations, and test hypotheses with greater efficiency and precision than traditional manual approaches allow. This powerful combination of scientific inquiry and computational tools accelerates discovery across various disciplines, from genomics and climate science to materials science and drug development, ultimately driving innovation and a more profound understanding of the world around us.
LO2 Determine parameters within mechanical engineering systems
Answer: Determining parameters within mechanical engineering systems is a crucial aspect of design, analysis, and optimization, often involving the use of computational methods to analyze system behavior and performance. This process entails identifying key variables such as dimensions, material properties, forces, torques, and operational conditions that define the system's characteristics. Engineers employ a range of techniques, including analytical calculations, numerical simulations (like Finite Element Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics), and experimental measurements, often integrated with optimization algorithms and statistical analysis, to accurately ascertain these parameters and ensure the system meets desired functional requirements and performance targets.
LO3 Explore the characteristics and properties of engineering materials
Answer: Exploring the characteristics and properties of engineering materials is fundamental to their effective selection and application, involving a comprehensive understanding of their mechanical, physical, thermal, electrical, and chemical behaviors. This exploration often employs a range of sophisticated experimental techniques, such as tensile testing to determine strength and ductility, hardness measurements to assess resistance to indentation, and microscopy to analyze microstructure. Furthermore, computational methods are increasingly utilized to model material behavior, predict performance under various conditions, and even aid in the design of novel materials with tailored properties, enabling engineers to make informed decisions for diverse applications ranging from structural components to electronic devices.
LO4 Analyse applications of A.C./D.C. circuit theorems, electromagnetic principles and properties
Answer: Analyzing the applications of A.C./D.C. circuit theorems, electromagnetic principles, and properties reveals their fundamental importance across numerous engineering disciplines. Circuit theorems like Thevenin's, Norton's, and superposition simplify complex electrical networks, aiding in analysis, design, and troubleshooting of both A.C. and D.C. systems, from power distribution to electronics. Electromagnetic principles, encompassing induction, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic waves, are the bedrock of technologies such as electric motors, generators, transformers, wireless communication, and medical imaging like MRI. Furthermore, the diverse electromagnetic properties of materials are exploited in applications ranging from magnetic storage devices and sensors to specialized components in high-frequency circuits and advanced materials design, highlighting the pervasive influence of these concepts in shaping modern technology.
Scenario:
You are employed as a trainee engineer in a megatronics laboratory and the position requires you to have a fundamental understanding of mechanical and electrical concepts. You have been informed by your potential supervisor that you need to improve and update your knowledge in the following areas : SI units, interpreting data, static and dynamic forces, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics, material properties and failure, and circuit theories. Your potential supervisor has set the following tasks in order to assess your suitability to work in the capacity as a trainee engineer
Unit Learning outcomes
LO1 Examine scientific data using both quantitative and computational methods
LO3 Explore the characteristics and properties of engineering materials
Task 1.0
You have been given samples of metals, composite and polymer materials. You are required to carry out tests on one of these materials and present a formal laboratory report. Your senior engineer has asked you to present to an audience an analysis of the scientific data using both computational and qualitative methods using an appropriate software package.
You should ensure that your report includes the following elements:
• The SI units used including prefix notation, symbols and derived units
• Graphical representations of the quantitative data gathered, using appropriate software
• reflection on the application of the scientific method (demonstrated in your laboratory report) for the testing you carried out.
• an analysis of all the graphical data presented .
• Full citation/references using an acceptable referencing system.
Task 2.0
Your manager wants you to write a formal report on the potential in service conditions that may have caused material failure and the structural properties of the given metals, polymer and composite that you have been investigating (Task 1.0).
You should consider the effect of degradation on the appearance of the given materials in task 1.0 and gather qualitative feedback from colleagues on the potential causes of failure. This feedback/data will be presented, using appropriate graphical software within your report.
Your report should reflect on the application of the scientific method . There should also be an analysis of all the graphical data presented (qualitative and quantitative information from Task 1 and Task 2).
• A description of the structural properties linked to their respective material properties
• An explanation and comparison of the types of degradation including elastic, electrical and magnetic hysteresis
• Critical comparison of how changes in the thermal efficiency of a heat transfer process can be affected by the by the behavioural characteristics of mechanical systems.
• Full citation/references using an acceptable referencing system.
LO2 Determine parameters within mechanical engineering systems
Task 3.0
3.1 A simply supported beam of length 6m supports a vertical point load of 45kN at a distance of 4m from one end.
Determine the reaction forces at either end.
Recalculate the reaction forces at either end, taking into account the actual weight of the beam as a UDL. Assume that the mass of the beam is 39Kg/m and g= 9.81 m/s2
Examine two engineering applications of buoyancy?
Discuss briefly the temperature effects on mechanical properties such as a dimensional change, elasto-plastic changes, due to thermal stresses.
Find the acceleration which will be produced in a body having a mass of 60 kg when a force of 150 N acts on this body by using d'Alembert's Principle.
For a domestic hot water system, a copper pipe carries hot water at 70 0c and has an external diameter of 150 mm and is lagged to an overall diameter of 500 mm. If the surface temperature of the lagging is 20 0C determine the rate of heat loss per metre length of pipe if it can be assumed that the inner surface of the lagging is at the hot water temperature. The thermal conductivity of the lagging is 0.09 W/mK.
LO4 Analyse applications of A.C./D.C. circuit theorems, electromagnetic principles and properties
Task 4.0
4.1
4.11 For the network shown in Fig 2.0, determine Th'evenin's equivalent circuit
and the current flowing in the 4 ? resistor. Assume that the battery has negligible internal resistance.
4.12. Use the superposition theorem to find currents Ii , I2 and I3 of Fig 3.0
4.2 Construct a graph of the spectrum for each waveform in Fig 4.0
A = 10 V.
4.3
A coil of inductance 74 mH and resistance 28 ohms in series with a 50uF capacitor is connected to a 250 V,50 Hz supply. Calculate :
i. The current flowing ii The voltage across L and C.
ii. Sketch the phasor diagram
A coil of resistance 25 ? and inductance 100 mH is connected series with 0.12 uf capacitor across a 120 V,variable frequency supply. If R is small compare with XL as in radio circuits, Determine :
• the resonant frequency
• the Q - factor at resonance
4.4
Explain the operation of a transformer using the principles of electromagnetic induction.
A 300 kVA transformer has a primary winding resistance of 0.4 ? and a secondary winding resistance of 0.0015 ?. The iron loss is 2 kW and the primary and secondary voltages are 4 kV and 200 V respectively. If the power factor of the load is 0.78, determine the efficiency of the transformer on full load
4.5
Refer to the circuit shown in Fig 6.0
R = 60 ohms, L = 318.4 mH, C= 15 uF, V= 200V, 50 Hz.
Calculate :
• The current in the coil
• The current in the capacitor
• The supply voltage and its phase angle
• The circuit impedance
• Sketch the phasor diagram
Validate the results using simulation packages.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Pass
|
Merit
|
Distinction
|
LO1 Examine scientific data using both quantitative and computational methods
|
D1 Present an analysis of
|
P1 Describe SI units and prefix notation.
P2 Examine quantitative and qualitative data with appropriate graphical representations.
|
M1 Explain how the application of scientific method impacts upon different test procedures.
|
scientific data using both computational and qualitative methods.
|
LO2 Determine parameters within mechanical engineering systems
|
D2 Evaluate the thermal efficiency of a heat transfer processes from given parameters
|
P3 Determine the support reactions of a beam carrying a concentrated load and a uniformly distributed load.
P4 Use Archimedes' principle in contextual engineering applications.
P5 Determine through practical examples the change within a solid material when exposed to temperature variations.
|
M2 Determine unknown forces by applying d'Alembert's principle to a free body.
|
LO3 Explore the characteristics and properties of engineering materials
|
D3 Critically compare how changes in the thermal efficiency of a heat transfer process can affect the behavioural characteristics of mechanical systems
|
P6 Describe the structural properties of metals and non-metals with reference
to their material properties.
P7 Explain the types of degradation found in metals and non-metals.
|
M3 Review elastic, electrical and magnetic hysteresis in different materials.
|
Pass
|
Merit
|
Distinction
|
LO4 Analyse applications of A.C./D.C. circuit theorems, electromagnetic principles and properties
|
D4 Critically evaluate different techniques used to solve problems on seriesparallel R, L, C circuits using A.C. theory.
|
P8 Calculate currents and voltages in circuits using circuit theorems.
P9 Describe how complex waves are produced from sinusoidal waveforms.
P10 Solve problems on series R, L, C circuits with
A.C. theory.
|
M4 Explain the principles and applications of electromagnetic induction.
|