Outline

Overview

This unit aims to apply some newly acquired skills to begin to understand how stress and strain are distributed in the more common categories of machine parts. Reducing the loads in standard parts to just the most significant, leads to a range of relatively simple analyses. By using different degrees of simplification and a proportional amount of effort, the examination of components can provide results of corresponding accuracy. To lead the student to utilise and be aware of modern computer methods, to be aware of past methods and be prepared of future developments. Not all the analysis of mechanical components are covered in the course but the ones that are deal with exemplify principles that can be applied to novel items that our graduates may encounter in their professional life. At the end of this unit students will be able to: apply fatigue life prediction in general to any component; design a bolted joint to carry tensile and or shear loads: use a numerical solver to arrive at the optimal dimensions of a component, given its loads and sufficient boundary conditions; design shafts to carry specified steady and alternating bending moments and torques; design and construct a space frame, such as that for a dune buggy, to meet requirements of strength and rigidity; be able to arrive at the principle parameters of a pair of matched spur gears, and to be able to extend this to helical gears. Course content will include: stress and strain in engineering materials; yield and ultimate fail conditions in malleable and brittle materials; spatial, 3D frameworks; deflections due to forces, moments and torques.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	MECH2400 and AMME2301
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Properties of engineering materials including fatigue failure theories. Statics and dynamics properties of machines.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Paul Briozzo, paul.briozzo@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Paul Briozzo, paul.briozzo@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assignment 1 - FEA Design Analysis The use of Simulation in a design case for assessment in a report format	25%	Week 04 Due date: 18 Sep 2020 at 23:00	12 Hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2 - Weld Design Analysis The use of analysis & Simulation methods for assessment in a report format	25%	Week 07 Due date: 16 Oct 2020 at 23:00	12 Hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 3 - Shaft Design Analysis The use of analysis & Simulation methods for assessment in a report format	25%	Week 10 Due date: 06 Nov 2020 at 23:00	12 Hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 4a - Group Presentation 5 to 6-minute video on Project topic in prerecorded MP4 format	10%	Week 12 Due date: 20 Nov 2020 at 23:00	4 Hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 4b - Group Project Project on combined course topics with assessment in report format	15%	Week 12 Due date: 20 Nov 2020 at 23:00	20 Hours
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1: Apply skills in SolidWorks / Simulation to a given structure and demonstrate good practice in mechanical design for presentation in a report format.
Assignment 2: Apply skills in analysis combined with SolidWorks / Simulation to a given weld design and demonstrate good practice in mechanical design for presentation in a report format.
Assignment 3: Apply skills in selecting methods for the analysis of a given shaft design and demonstrate good practice in mechanical design for presentation in a report format.
Presentation: Compile a prerecorded group presentation of 5 to 6 minutes duration in MP4 format on the chosen project topic.
Project: Research and produce at a Project in report format comprised of combined course topics.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties are in accordance with University Guidelines.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Finite element analysis as applied using a modern CAD system	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Presentation of the designs of frames, in particular 3D space frames and the writing of industrial standard reports	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Pre-tensioned bolted joints and differences to bolts subjected to shear loads	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Weld design for members in either: shear, torsional and bending (or combined) loads	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Review of fatigue failure mechanisms, the use of fatigue strengths data in a variety of applications	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Super Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Shaft analysis, examination of simplifying assumptions in typical shafts and their associated equipment	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	Examination of non-standard set of spur gears with consideration for speed increasing gearboxes and their applications	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Review of spur gear geometry and be able to extend into helical gears and into strength calculations to AGMA specification	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Examination of the non-standard set of spur gears and epicyclic gearboxes and their applications	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Spring design optimisation methods with suitable applications	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Super Tutorial	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There are no prescribed readings for this unit, but the following are recommended as references:

Note: all readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Shigley’s Mechanical Engineering Design. Richard G. Budynas and J. Keith Nisbett, 11th Edition. McGraw Hill Education. 2020. New York. The United States of America.

The text is relevant for the Engineering Analysis component of MECH2400 9400 and MECH3460.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. combine a SolidWorks component design with SolidWorks Simulation - Finite Element Analysis (FEA) as a tool in the design process of a component suitable for incorporating into a design report.
LO2. design and construct a space frame or monocoque structure (e.g. vehicle) to meet requirements such as strength and rigidity for inclusion into a design report.
LO3. design a bolted joint to carry tensile and, or shear loads using referenced equations and incorporate the solution into a design report.
LO4. calculate the weld thickness at a welded joint that is required to carry any combination of loads and incorporate the solution into a design report.
LO5. carry out fatigue life prediction in general to a designed component and incorporate the solution into a design report.
LO6. design shafts (and their associated ancillary equipment) to carry specified steady and alternating bending moments and torques using reference equations and incorporate the solution into a design report.
LO7. arrive at the principle parameters of a pair of matched spur gears, and be able to extend this to helical gears to AGMA specification and incorporate the solution into a design report.
LO8. use a numerical solver to arrive at the optimal dimensions of a component, given its loads and sufficient boundary conditions and incorporate the solution into a design report.
LO9. design a non-standard set of spur gears with consideration for speed increasing gearboxes suitable for inclusion into a design report.
LO10. analyse epicyclic gear configurations and be able to apply a final design configuration into a design report.
LO11. optimise a spring design by varing spring design elements and be able to incorporate the solution into a design report.
LO12. draft an engineering report and presentation that incorporates: spreadsheets, graphs, tables, and correct referencing methods.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In 2020 the UOS has been given a new direction with the inclusion of a group assesment that incorporates an introductory systems engineering approach to its content focus.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MECH3460: Mechanical Design 2

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect