Composite Engineering Practice
Module aims
A good composite engineer should know more than just the theoretical aspect of composite materials. You should also have an awareness of the practical, legal, ethical and manufacturing constraints, be creative in proposing solutions to problems and be able to communicate, collaborate, plan and manage their work. Therefore, this module builds on all the core taught modules of your programme and provide you with an opportunity to engage in the practical and hands-on aspect of composite engineering, supported by a range of workshops, lectures and tutorials. In the process you will need to expand on your prior knowledge and research new ideas, while appreciating the constraints imposed in a multi-disciplinary design environment subject to uncertainty.
Learning outcomes
On the successful completion of this module, you should be able to
- apply disciplinary knowledge towards the solution of an engineering problem, and appreciate the limitations of theoretical calculations in practice;
- integrate knowledge and understanding developed over the course of the programme and apply it towards the preliminary design of a composite material;
- interpret professional Codes of Ethics and identify potential sources of ethical conflict and be aware of the drivers and constraints, including operational, legal, social, ethical and environmental, in the design process;
- review market trends, gaps and legal/regulatory constraints to propose creative solutions to the design brief;
- obtain and process information from a wide range of sources and analyse it critically;
- report findings, in a clear and concise manner, through written reports and oral presentations;
- keep a consistent record of work and ideas;
- appreciate the challenges and develop methods for working and communicating effectively within a small, diverse group of students;
- collaborate effectively within a large, diverse and multidisciplinary design team, being aware of the impact their decisions have on the wider project and the work of their teammates;
- communicate their work in varied oral and written forms to both a technical and non-technical audience.
Module syllabus
A. Mechanical testing of polymer composites - tension, flexure, shear, fracture and compression. This is to support the theoretical knowledge students obtained during this module or other core modules of the MSc Programme, with the necessary practical skills and knowledge of testing equipment and methods, and test standards through a comprehensive laboratory programme.
B. Group design project - This coursework is designed to be an opportunity to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills learned in the preceding lecture courses/modules. The coursework varies annually and is carried out in small groups.
C. Non-destructive Evaluation (NDE) coursework - An open-ended coursework requiring students to propose suitable NDE technique to be used on a selected composite part.
D. Perspectives on Emerging Trends - A practical requiring students to discuss, as part of small groups, the legal, social, environmental and ethnical issues, as well as to debate the controversy and/or speculate on possible future academic, technological, or societal advancements related to the specific Emerging Trend analysed.
Teaching methods
The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, practicals and hands-on activities carryied out in the Aero departments Labs. You will also further engage in independent and self-organised group work to design, build and test composite materials, applying the skills and understanding you have developed throughout the module.
Assessments
The module is summatively assessed through:
- Mechanical testing of polymer composites: A self-consistent individual report.
- Group design project: A group report and a group presentation describing your final design.
- NDE coursework: A group report.
- Group Debate on Emerging Trends in Composites Materials. Your conduct throughout these projects will be formatively assessed through various drop-in surgery sessions, as well as group-to-one or one-to-one sessions
Due to the collaborative nature of group work,reassessment for this module must occur in session in the following academic year.
You will be offered feedback on your progress throughout the module. Individual feedback will be given on report writing and presentation skills. Feedback on your design project will also provided in timetabled drop-in sessions. Further individual feedback is available on request via this module’s online feedback forum, staff office hours and discussions with tutors.
| Assessment type
|
Assessment description
|
Weighting
|
Pass mark
|
| Coursework
|
Individual report (Mechanical testing of polymer composites)
|
30%
|
50%
|
| Coursework
|
Group design project report
|
30%
|
50%
|
| Practical
|
Group design project oral presentation
|
10%
|
50%
|
| Practical
|
Group design project carry-out
|
10%
|
50%
|
| Coursework
|
Non-destructive evaluation
|
10%
|
50%
|
| Practical
|
Perspectives on Emerging Trends in Composites
|
10%
|
50%
|