MSc Structural Engineering

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Experimental Methods (MSc Structural Engineering)

Course unit fact file
Unit code AERO61021
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This course unit detail provides the framework for delivery in 20/21 and may be subject to change due to any additional Covid-19 impact.  Please see Blackboard / course unit related emails for any further updates.

This unit covers the science of experimentation from planning through to data delivery and introduces data reduction techniques. A variety of experimental labs are traditionally included in engineering degrees but the process of designing, running, analysing and reporting is rarely covered in detail. This unit will prepare potential research engineers for data gathering activities and tests in both industry and academia. It includes relevant examples of direct application to industrial and scientific challenges such as wind tunnel testing and structural health monitoring. The unit incorporates a set of core topics relevant to all experimental engineers and program specific content with more detailed information on challenges, techniques and applications to individual specialisms. In addition to specialism specific content, the laboratories within the unit are specialism specific with a focus on relevant experimental challenges within each industry.

Aims

• Develop the skills (both practical and theoretical) required to become an experimental engineer
• Design and perform experiments and analyse the results
• Use different forms of data capture and analysis
• Explain and demonstrate methods and techniques of analysis relevant to experimental data regardless of source
• Understand and apply experimental methods and techniques applicable to their specific       program
• Develop technical group working skills through their contribution to a group project
• Have experience of every stage of the experimental process and have acquired skills of use in     any practical engineering discipline together with some analysis techniques relevant to numerical work.
• Develop specific experimentation skills developed will be extremely valuable to those wishing to pursue a career in research.
 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 50%
Report 50%

Feedback methods

Quiz - Subsequent week with common mistakes covered in class with detailed explanation. Solutions are available online the following day for both quizzes

Report -  Formative feedback drop-in sessions throughout semester.  Group and cohort wide feedback given after submission

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
eAssessment 26
Lectures 22
Practical classes & workshops 14
Project supervision 50
Tutorials 8
Independent study hours
Independent study 30

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Mark Quinn Unit coordinator

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