436-204 Systems Modelling

This subject requires code to be written in a version of C programming language and the use of Matlab. Students may avail themselves of a pre-semester week of language tuition.

Students will be expected to have a working knowledge of the material covered in 100-level mathematics, 433-171 Introduction to Programming (or equivalent), 431-101 Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering, 436-202 Mechanics 1 and 431-201 Engineering Analysis A (prior to 2001, 421-204 Engineering Analysis A) or equivalent.

Unit 1, Computational Mechanics: Upon completion students should be able to formulate algorithms into working computer programs in C language in order to solve engineering problems, and be aware of numerical errors inherent in many computational schemes.

Topics covered include fundamentals of numerical modelling; approximation and errors; roots of equations; numerical solution of linear algebraic equations; curve fitting and splines; interpolation and extrapolation; numerical differentiation and integration; pre- and post-computational analysis; and graphical representation of results.

Unit 2, Electro-mechanical Machine Behaviour: Upon completion students should be familiar with the concepts and terminology of electrical power engineering; be able to describe the construction of common electrical and mechanical power sources; understand the operating characteristics of common electrical and mechanical devices used for motive power; be able to construct time and frequency, domain models of simple electrical, mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic engineering components and systems; and be able to compute time and frequency-domain responses of linear dynamical systems.

Topics covered include DC and AC power supplies and distribution systems; inverters, transformers and rectifiers; principles and operation of single and multi-phase AC machines, induction motors, and DC machines; solid-state control of machines, principles and operation of electro-hydraulic and electro-pneumatic servo valves and actuators, system modelling; and unified approach to modelling electrical, mechanical and thermal systems, block diagrams, transfer function and state-space representations, computation of transient, steady-state time responses, harmonic frequency responses and use of Matlab for system response calculations.

• ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals

• ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large

• in-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline

• ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution

• ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance

• ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member

• understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development

• understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and commitment to them

• expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, capacity to do so

• capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning

• intellectual curiosity and creativity, including understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of research activity

• openness to new ideas and unconventional critiques of received wisdom

• profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship

Two 2-hour end-of-semester examinations, tutorial tests and assignments to be submitted throughout the semester. Unit 1: Computational Mechanics - Examination 30%; tutorial tests and assignments not exceeding 60 pages or equivalent 20%. Unit 2: Electro-mechanical Machine Behaviour - Examination 35%, tutorial tests and assignments not exceeding 50 pages or equivalent 15%.

Students will have to obtain a mark of at least 40% in each of the units in order to pass the subject.