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Mechanical Design (MCEN30014)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Colin Burvill
Semester 2
Colin Burvill
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
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.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Introduction to strategies for creative idea generation in engineering design -
- The design process – specifying problems and generating solutions
- Making decisions – decision-making strategies, cost benefit analysis, economic and human factors
- Fault / failure analysis.
Introduction to engineering graphical communication -
- Sketching
- Orthographic (multiview), layout, assembly and detailed drawings
- Dimensioning.
Introduction to structural integrity in engineering design -
- Structural integrity and the nature of failure
- Structural distillation – decomposition of structural systems into elementary engineering components
- Estimation, units and calculation
- Failure predictors and factors of safety
- Fatigue – What is fatigue? Time-varying stresses, fatigue strength, design against failure. S-N diagram, A-M diagram. Shafts as an example of fatigue-based structural integrity design.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)
Having completed this unit the student is expected to have the skills to:
1 - describe engineering design methodologies that can assist the creation of mechanical artefacts and systems;
2 - synthesize solutions to reasonably ill-defined design problems;
3 - manage relatively complex mechanical engineering design projects;
4 - determine the integrity of structures and machines, to design against failure.
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.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Postgraduate students:
Admission into the Master of Engineering (Mechanical) OR (Mechanical with Business).
Undergraduate students:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ENGR20004 | Engineering Mechanics |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AND either:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST20029 | Engineering Mathematics |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR both of the following subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST20009 | Vector Calculus |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST20030 | Differential Equations | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST20030 Differential Equations can be taken concurrently.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Postgraduate students will be disadvantaged by not having met the prerequisite subjects (or equivalents) as listed for undergraduate students.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Assessment
Additional details
• One two-hour end-of-semester examination (40%)
• Three assignments (projects) total of 60% -
Assignment 1 (48%) assessed tasks in weeks, 2, 4, 6 8 - approximately 40 hours work per student
Assignment 2 (6%) week 9 - 8 to 10 hours work per student
Assignment 3 (6%) week 10 - 8 to 10 hours work per student
Reports are submitted at the end of the scheduled practical sessions.
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass all assignments and the end of semester exam in order to pass the subject.
ILOs 1, 2 and 4 will all be assessed by both assignment and examination. ILO3 will be assessed by assignment work.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
Colin Burvill
- Semester 2
Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 29 July 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 9 August 2019 Census date 31 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 27 September 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019 Semester 2 contact information
Colin Burvill
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Budynas, R.G. and Nisbett, J.K (2011), Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design, McGraw-Hill.
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject will be delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops that will feature student-centred activities including a substantial design-build-test-evaluate assignment.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Budynas, R.G. and Nisbett, J.K (2011), Shigley's Mechanical Engineering Design, 9th SI Edition, McGraw-Hill.
Additional notes on LMS
Lecture slides
Assignment sheets
CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
Design-build-test-evaluate assignment is usually completed within a national competition organised by the National Committee on Engineering Design (http://www.ncedaust.org/) within Engineers Australia (http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/).
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Mechanical Systems Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Mechanical Systems Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects Specialisation (formal) Mechanical Specialisation (formal) Mechanical with Business - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
Last updated: 22 March 2024