Mechanical Design

Subject MCEN30014 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours of lectures and 14 hours of workshop sessions
Total Time Commitment:

120 hours

Prerequisites:

Postgraduate -

  • Admission into the Master of Engineering (Mechanical)



Undergraduate -

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2013
12.50

AND either:

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2013
12.50

OR both of the following subjects

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Not offered in 2013
12.50
Not offered in 2013
12.50

MAST20030 Differential Equations can be taken concurrently.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

N/A

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview:

Topics covered include: general approach to design problems; invention, analysis, decision making; terminologies such as ‘goal’, ‘objectives’, ‘criteria’ and ‘constraints’; strategies for synthesis and decision making; technical, ergonomic and economic factors; appraisal of benefit and cost; fault and failure analysis; probability, uncertainty, and assessment of risk; and interfacing geometric and mathematical models, sensitivity analyses, combinatorial search, structured approaches to material selection; failure modes for engineering systems, failure predictors for engineering components under multi-axial stress conditions; rational assessment of safety factors and maximum credible accident; integrity of structures and machines, design against failure; modelling of complex load-bearing systems in terms of simple engineering components; design of elements of structures and machines from first principles; and approaches to uncertainty in design problems, including those related to the environment.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this subject students should be able to -

  • Describe engineering design methodologies that can assist the creation of mechanical artifacts and systems
  • Synthesize solutions to reasonably ill-defined design problems
  • Manage relatively complex mechanical engineering design projects
  • Determine the integrity of structures and machines, to design against failure



Assessment:

• One two-hour end-of-semester examination (40%).
• Four assignments (projects) total of 60% - Assignment 1 (42%) assessed tasks in weeks, 2, 4, 6 8; Assignment 2 (6%) week 9; Assignment 3 (6%) week 10; Assignment 4 (6%) week 11. Reports are submitted at the end of the scheduled workshop session. All assignments must be submitted and earn a mark of at least 50% (per assignment) as a prerequisite for admission to the written examination.

ILO1, ILO2 and ILO4 will all be assessed by both assignment and examination. ILO3 will all be assessed within assignment work.

Prescribed Texts:

Budynas, R.G. and Nisbett, J.K, Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design, McGraw-Hill, 2009/2011

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills -

• The ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals
• The ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
• The capacity for creativity and innovation
• The ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
• Proficiency in engineering design
• The ability to conduct an engineering project

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: B-ENG Mechanical Engineering stream
Master of Engineering (Mechanical)
Mechanical Systems
Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Core selective subjects for B-BMED.

Download PDF version.