Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc

The sustainability industry has been experiencing growing challenges driven by decarbonisation, examples include the increasing difficulties in balancing energy systems caused by the penetration of uncertain and less controllable renewable generation. Nevertheless, the widespread installation of measurement and control units have enabled innovations in data analytics, especially is using AI to support planning and operation in sustainability industry, which effectively addresses the challenges. The scientific and technical concepts of machine learning and AI methods/tools and their potential advantages in the sustainability sector will be taught in this module. The module aims to provide the students with data analytical skills from machine learning and AI technology, and evaluate the advantages/disadvantages of their applications in the sustainability industry. Additionally, the module aims to provide students with essential skills (e.g. computer programming and coding in Python) for applying machine learning in resolving practical problems.

• Fundamentals of AI and Machine Learning
• Neural Networks
• Convolutional Neural Networks
• Strategies of Training of neural networks
• Classification and Regression Trees
• Unsupervised Learning
• Practical case studies
  

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

1. Critically analyse the state-of-the-art of the applications of machine learning (ML) and AI technology in the sustainability sector;
2. Identify and assess the requirements of different AI/ML techniques and their contributions to improve the planning and operation in the sustainability sector;
3. Implement AI/ML methods, and assess their performance through a realistic case study
4. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of particular AI techniques within the context of the sustainability sector 
   

• Dr Stefano Mori

To introduce the principles of risk and reliability engineering to engineers, including the associated tools and methods to solve relevant engineering problems in industry.  This will be illustrated through a corrosion-based example, while also highlighting issues with data generation and interpretation.

• Risk management: processes to identify risk management; risk assessment techniques; failure distributions
• Reliability engineering: Reliability and availability analysis; reliability analysis techniques; introduction to structural reliability analysis
• Maintainability
• Mechanical testing:  in particular development of stress-strain curves.
• Corrosion monitoring:  using electrochemical methodologies, and electron microscopy.
• Corrosion mechanisms: including effects of underlying material composition and processing, galvanic corrosion, pitting and crevice corrosion, mechanical interactions, microbial corrosion, corrosion of welds, stress corrosion cracking, hydrogen embrittlement and effects of H2S, High temperature corrosion.
• Corrosion control: paints, cathodic protection, corrosion resistant alloys, corrosion monitoring, control by design.
  Identification of the role of inspection and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) in risk reduction and reliability improvement.

On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:

Assess and analyse appropriate approaches to the collection and interpretation of data, this will be illustrated through the example of critically evaluating analysis and corrosion monitoring techniques to select appropriate methodologies.

Evaluate the impact of corrosion on the mechanical responses of structural materials and the impact of inhibition techniques on extending life

Evaluate and select appropriate techniques and tools for qualitative and quantitative risk analysis and reliability assessment

Analyse and evaluate failure likelihood and potential consequences, and develop solutions for control/mitigation of risks

Discuss the role of codes and standards

• Paul Lighterness

This is a specialised module to advance your technical skills in industry prototyping design processes. This module will also introduce you to the facilities/workshops available at Cranfield.

Design thinking and creativity,

Collaborative innovation,

Understanding the value and use of prototyping for innovation,

Introduction to technology readiness levels (TRL’s),

How to identify and write good requirement for design,

Hands-on use of professional CAD/CAE software,

Design skills workshops (sketching, CADCAE, mechatronics, 3D printing),

Knowledge of advanced materials and processes (smart materials, bio-inspiration, nano & micro technologies, additive manufacturing).

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Prepare and write design specification requirements for a new product, service or system.

Formulate, plan and build low fidelity prototypes using design best practice and agile innovation techniques.

Critically evaluate industrial best practice tools and techniques for converting an idea into commercially viable solutions.

Assess the value of technology readiness levels used as an innovation process.

Examine creatively within a multi-disciplinary team using self and group reflective techniques.

• Dr Patrick Verdin

To appraise existing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques and tools for modelling, simulating and analysing practical engineering problems related to renewable energy, with hands on experience using commercial software packages used in industry.

• Introduction to CFD: Introduction to the physics and understanding of governing equations (continuity, momentum, energy and species conservation) and state of the art Computational Fluid Dynamics including modelling, grid generation, simulation, and high-performance computing. Case study of industrial problems and the physical processes where CFD can be used,
• Computational engineering exercise: specification for a CFD simulation. Requirements for accurate analysis and validation. Introduction to turbulence and practical applications of turbulence models, introduction to turbulence and turbulent flows, traditional turbulence modelling,
• Advanced turbulence modelling: introduction to Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) simulations and large-eddy simulation (LES),
• Practical sessions: offshore renewable energy problems (flow around wind and tidal turbines) will be solved employing the widely-used industrial flow solver software FLUENT. These practical sessions will cover the entire CFD process including grid generation, flow solver, analysis, validation and visualisation.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Assemble and evaluate the different components of the CFD process,
• Explain the governing equations for fluid flows and how to solve them computationally,
• Compare and contrast various methods for simulating turbulent flows applicable to civil and mechanical engineering, especially offshore renewable energy applications such as wind turbines and tidal turbines,
• Set up simulations and evaluate a practical problem using a commercial CFD package,
• Design CFD modelling studies of renewable energy devices.

The purpose of this module is to provide you with experience of planning a project that will involve scoping and designing a product.  The module provides sessions on project and planning, including sustainable design principles, project risk management and resource allocation. A key part of this module is the consideration of systems thinking approach for creating innovative solutions, ethics, professional conduct, and the role of an engineer within the wider industry context as well as considerations for equality, diversity and inclusion.

Project Management,
Ethics, EDI and the role of the engineering (ethics case study),
Product development,
Circular Economy,
Systems thinking,
Innovation.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Apply design thinking methods and techniques to generate a product design concept that can be scaled up to a commercially viable solution.
• Design and plan the product project including processes, resources required (human and material), product end-of-life and risk management.
• Integrate systems thinking and circular economy approaches to develop sustainable and innovative products.
• Evaluate ethical dilemmas, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and the role of the engineer within the context of their chosen industry.

Applied science and engineering requires a solid understanding of engineering principles, necessary for working in energy, water and environmental sectors. This diverse module aims to develop an understanding of the core principles of engineering and enables learners to apply their knowledge to real-world case study examples. You will be required to understand how to work with gas, liquid and solid systems to determine heat transfer dynamics, chemical mass, hydraulics, structural mechanics/integrity, power grids and electrical systems. As the module progresses through the taught material, you will be introduced to applying their understanding to full system designs and how the theory informs industrial-scale applications

You will cover a number of fundamental aspects of engineering, applied to sustainable development systems. This will include applications in the energy, water and environmental sectors, thus will focus on sustainable development goals and the net zero targets. Topics covered throughout the module will include:

• Mass balance and reaction engineering.
• Heat and mass transfer.
• Hydraulics.
• Fundamental concepts in structural mechanics and design for structural safety.
• Power grids and electrical processes.
• Full engineering systems.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Apply technical skills to subsystems of each case study, incorporating engineering principles including heat transfer, structural mechanics, hydraulics and engineering mathematics.
• Determine fluid mechanics of high-pressure and multi-phase processes.
• Critically appraise complex engineering case studies, analysing interconnectivity between engineering disciplines for delivering large-scale projects. This includes the application of basic structural mechanics and integrity analysis principles in sustainable development engineering contexts.
• Evaluate subsystem integration and consider project and H&S risks and mitigation, including structural failure theory.

• Dr Luofeng huang

This module brings together theories and computational practicalities of Finite Element Analysis (FEA). This combination enables you to use FEA for modern engineering purposes, whilst understand the underlying mechanics. You will be provided with step-by-step ABAQUS tutorials to get familiar with basic and advanced functionalities of this finite element software package. The lectures and hands-on practice will help you to develop strong FEA skills such as investigating the stress and strain distribution in complex geometries, components, and structures. 

Theory

Introduction to stress analysis of components and structures, Ductile and brittle materials, Tensile test, Material properties, Complex stress and strain, Stress and strain transformation, Fracture and yield criteria, Plastic deformation, Introduction to Computer-Aided Engineering, FEA methodology, FEA procedure. Fluid-structure interactions.  

Simulation

Introduction to ABAQUS, Types of elements, Integration points, Meshing, Mesh convergence, Visualisation, Results interpretation, Beam structures under static and dynamic loading, stress concentration in steel and composite plates, tubular assemblies, 2D and 3D modelling of solid structures, axisymmetry and symmetry boundary conditions, Stress and strain analyses subjected to different loading conditions, Prediction and validation of the stress and strain fields ahead of the crack tip. 

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Develop a strong foundation on stress analysis and demonstrate the ability to analyse a range of structural problems,
• Define the strength and limitation of different functions within FEA and demonstrate original thinking and judgement to establish a suitable model when approaching a certain problem,
• Evaluate the importance of mesh sensitivity analysis and validation in finite element simulations,
• Apply an in-depth awareness of current practice through case studies of engineering problems,
• Apply advanced skills in using ABAQUS, which will be an asset in both industrial and academic careers. 

• Dr Liang Yang

This module aims to provide you with a theoretical and applied understanding of fluid mechanics and fluid loading on structures.

Principles of fluid dynamics:

• Properties of fluids: Control volumes & fluid elements, Continuity, Momentum & Energy equations, stream function & velocity potential, Bernoulli’s equation.
• Flow structures: Boundary layer theory, laminar & turbulent flow, steady & unsteady flow, flow breakdown & separations, vortex formation & stability,
• Lifting flows: Circulation theory, Prandtl’s lifting-line theory, sources of drag, aerofoil characteristics.
• Continuum, Navier-Stokes equations, compressible flow, multiphase flow.
• Fluid loading on horizontal and vertical axis turbines, Blade Element Momentum theory.
Dynamics of floating bodies: from simple hydrostatics to complex dynamic response in waves.
• Ocean Waves Theory and Fluid loading on fixed offshore structures: The Added Mass Concept, Froude Krylov Force, Linear wave theory, Wave loading (Diffraction Theory & Morison Equation),
• Hydrostatics of floating structures; Buoyancy Forces and Stability, Initial stability, The wall sided formula and large angle stability, Stability losses, The Pressure Integration Technique
• Dynamics response of floating structures in waves: dynamic response analysis, application to floating bodies, effect of moorings.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

• Explain how the wind, tides and waves are formed, and the factors that influence their distribution & predictability;
• Evaluate the principal concepts and methods of fluid mechanics, fundamental equations for fluid behaviour, characterisation of flow structures and forces and moments acting on lifting bodies;
• Evaluate and select the most appropriate model to assess and undertake the simulation of a floating structure static and dynamic stability