Core engineering B
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You’ll study in greater depth, to expand your development as an engineer, the underpinning science and mathematics; engineering analysis; design; environmental and economic context; and engineering practice introduced in earlier engineering study. Further development of reflective engineering practice is integral throughout. You’ll discuss aspects of your study with other students and your tutor, conduct remote experiments using our award-winning OpenEngineering remote laboratories, and use industry-recognised software.
What you will study
The module consists of three parts – each supported by a printed book:
Part 1: Stress Analysis for Structural Design
In this first part, you’ll build on your understanding of different types of loading and stress in engineering structures; you’ll move on to explore complex stress analysis in two dimensions. The module uses real-world engineered products (e.g. an aircraft wing) as case studies to demonstrate how engineering structures experience combined loading conditions leading to complex stress states. Alongside hand calculations for stress analysis, it will introduce you to computer-based methods. You’ll explore the use of finite element analysis software, for the stress analysis of simple engineering structures. It will also introduce you to failure criteria; and how to use stress analysis to predict or design against failure.
Part 2: Dynamic Analysis for Engineering Design
The subject of the second part is motion – you’ll learn how to describe, model and analyse motion. First, you’ll study the movement of objects and the reason for that movement – in other words, the forces that are acting on those objects and causing them to move. You’ll go on to study dynamics using energy methods and applying laws of thermodynamics to dynamic systems. You’ll also learn design methods to encourage good vibration when required, or to limit unwanted vibration that could cause damage.
Part 3: Engineering Materials for Improved Performance
The final part of the module is about what limits the useful life of engineered components and what engineers can do to make them last longer. You’ll look at some of the failure and degradation mechanisms that act within engineering components over time and reduce their lifetime in service. This part will introduce you to some of the methods that engineers have developed to extend a component's lifetime in service, by choosing the right material to start with and then manipulating or treating it in some way.
Remote experiments in our OpenEngineering lab will enhance the theoretical underpinning – you’ll interact with equipment in real-time or with an on-going experiment, from your own computer. You’ll also gain industrially relevant skills in core aspects of stress and structural analysis by exploring the use of an industry- standard finite element analysis (FEA) software package. The module has mathematics teaching integrated into the engineering materials, giving both context and an opportunity to practice its application. You’ll practise maths and engineering questions – through interactive quizzes – in preparation for the interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs). We’ll base assignment questions on activities in the module material.
Professional recognition
This module is a compulsory part of our undergraduate engineering qualifications. The learning outcomes of these qualifications are designed to fulfil the Engineering Council’s educational requirements under UK-SPEC1. Several of the leading engineering institutions accredit our engineering qualifications.
1UK-SPEC (UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence) sets out the requirements for UK engineers to achieve professional status
Entry requirements
You must have passed one of the following modules:
- Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications (T194)
- Essential mathematics 1 (MST124)
- Using mathematics (MST121) – discontinued
The module assumes a level of mathematics skill and prior knowledge which you’ll get from successfully completing one of the modules above. It assumes, and builds on, existing knowledge and skill in the use of trigonometry; differential and integral calculus; vectors; polar coordinate systems; and complex numbers.
Also, to begin T272, you must have passed (or be waiting for your result for) Core engineering A (T271). You may, however, enrol on T272 while still studying T271.
What's included
- Access to the module study materials via the module website
- Three printed module books and a handbook
You will need
- A scientific calculator
- A device capable of producing digital images (e.g. a smartphone, digital camera or scanner)
- Basic drawing equipment
Computing requirements
A computing device with a browser and broadband internet access is required for this module. Any modern browser will be suitable for most computer activities. Functionality may be limited on mobile devices.
Any additional software will be provided, or is generally freely available. However, some activities may have more specific requirements. For this reason, you will need to be able to install and run additional software on a device that meets the requirements below.
A desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows.
The screen of the device must have a resolution of at least 1024 pixels horizontally and 768 pixels vertically.
To join in the spoken conversation in our online rooms we recommend a headset (headphones or earphones with an integrated microphone).
This module requires you to install and run Ansys software that requires a 64-bit Windows computer (full specification: https://www.ansys.com/academic/free-student-products). The software is provided as a download of 3.7GB.
Access to the Open Engineering Lab may be restricted by corporate firewalls therefore we recommend students have control over their connection settings. Students may have to use a specific freely available browser to get the best experience in the Open Engineering Lab.
Our Skills for OU study website has further information including computing skills for study, computer security, acquiring a computer and Microsoft software offers for students.