A postgraduate course in Engineering, Technology and Design.

Engineering is at the heart of modern life and engineers now use computers and software in the design and manufacture of most of the products, processes and systems that make up our lifestyles. This course will introduce some of the computational modelling and analysis techniques now used and instil the need for comprehensive evaluation and checking when interpreting results. It covers basic theory, modelling, meshing and analysing component models for stresses, deflections, temperatures and vibrations under operating conditions and loads, treatment of boundary conditions and restraints, with examples of good practice for safe and effective application in use.

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What you will study

The course is divided into three main blocks covering:

• introduction to the finite element analysis method and general theory
• linear, structural analysis and heat transfer
• dynamics, vibration modal analysis and an introduction to non-linear problems and approaches.

The course will emphasise the need to understand the overall physics and engineering of the problem to be solved, the loads and boundary conditions to apply; to be clear what the problem is, what is being modelled and to formulate a systematic plan of analysis beforehand.

You'll be shown how to conduct a linear finite element stress analysis of a loaded component, how to conduct a linear thermal analysis of a heated component and how to conduct a normal mode dynamics analysis of a free unloaded component. Also guidance will be given on how to report the results of such analyses to an industrial type client.

Overall you should become competent and safe in using computer aided finite element analysis tools in an industrial engineering and design environment.

Vocational relevance

The course will be particularly applicable for engineers and scientists who want to understand the fundamental theory of Finite Element Analysis, and gain some practical experience in the techniques to safely model and analyse engineering products and problems.

Entry

This course is at postgraduate level requiring appropriate intellectual demands and subject knowledge. If you are a new student ideally you should have an honours degree in mechanical engineering and be familiar with subjects such as stress analysis, heat transfer, vibrations, matrix algebra and calculus. An online test is available which may help you identify potential areas for revision.

If you are already an OU student we recommended that your previous study should include our undergraduate Level 2 and Level 3 study of mechanics and heat transfer and Level 2 mathematics such as Mathematical methods and models (MST209) or another course that covers calculus and matrix algebra. Examples of suitable courses would be Engineering: mechanics, materials, design (T207) and Structural integrity: designing against failure (T357), or the discontinued courses T235, T331, T333 and T335.

It would also be an advantage to be computer literate with appropriate keyboard skills and familiarity with the Windows environment.

You do need to have a reasonable standard of spoken and written English to study successfully with us. Poor language skills will make study more difficult, and it will take longer. The normal requirements for English language skills are explained on our website.

If you have any doubts about whether your level of English is good enough for you to study this course you may find it helpful to look at our Skills for OU Study site.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

Qualifications

T884 is an optional module in our:

• MEng (M03)

Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. These qualifications allow most postgraduate modules to count towards them. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Module Regulations and the Student Regulations which are available on our Essential documents website.

If you have a disability

The study materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. The written study material is available in comb-bound format. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability. You will need to make substantial use of material presented electronically as well as by traditional reading and study.

Study materials

What's included

Study guides, workbooks, demonstration materials, a computer finite element analysis package, industry guides, booklets and teaching texts from NAFEMS the International Association for the Engineering Analysis Community, comprehensive case studies on DVD.

Also included will be the text book Concepts and Applications of Finite Element Analysis by R.D Cook et al, John Wiley & Sons, 4th edition.

You will need

The software

The analysis software provided is ANSYS ED v9.0. This is a full-feature commercial product with the exception of various limits to restrict the size of problem that can be solved. Before registering on T884, look at the following table to check the compatibility of ANSYS ED v9.0 with the system you will be using.

You may provide your own analysis software but please note that this will not be supported by the OU and your tutor will not be able to advise you on specific software-related problems and queries. Note that if you do use your own software, the same ANSYS ED v9.0 size restrictions will apply, e.g. 1000 h elements.

Computing requirements

You will need a computer with internet access to study this course. It includes online activities – you can access using a web browser – and some course software provided on disk.

• If you have purchased a new desktop or laptop computer running Windows since 2007 you should have no problems completing the computer-based activities.
• A netbook, tablet or other mobile computing device is not suitable for this course – check our Technical requirements section.
• If you have an Apple Mac or Linux computer – please note that you can only use it for this course by running Windows on it using Boot Camp or a similar dual-boot system.

You can also visit the Technical requirements section for further computing information including the details of the support we provide.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will be responsible for monitoring your progress on the course, marking and commenting on your written work and whom you can contact for advice and guidance. Your tutor will also mediate an online forum for your tutor group in which participation is optional. There is also a separate online forum for all students on T884. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.

You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).

Future availability

The details given here are for the final course start in May 2013. 

Students also studied

Students who studied this course also studied at some time:

• Structural integrity: designing against failure (T357)

How to register

We regret that we are currently unable to accept registrations for this course. Where the course is to be presented again in the future, relevant registration information will be displayed on this page as soon as it becomes available.

Student Reviews

Distance learning

The Open University is the world’s leading provider of flexible, high quality distance learning. Unlike other universities we are not campus based. You will study in a flexible way that works for you whether you’re at home, at work or on the move. As an OU student you’ll be supported throughout your studies – your tutor or study adviser will guide and advise you, offer detailed feedback on your assignments, and help with any study issues. Tuition might be in face-to-face groups, via online tutorials, or by phone.

For more information about distance learning at the OU read Study explained.

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