Mechanical Engineering

Introduces the technology of 3D parametric geometric modeling to design and model mechanical engineering parts, assemblies and devices. Geometric variables and their interrelationships will be covered by projects involving the design of mechanical components, assemblies and machines to meet functional requirements. Manufacturing requirements including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing. The use of the model for analysis, optimization and simulation will be stressed. Presentation of the model through engineering drawings and pictorial renderings. Animation of mechanisms. A comprehensive commercial CAD program will be utilized.

The dynamic analysis of linear particle systems based on momentum. The analysis of centroids and moments of inertia for rigid bodies. Introduction to the rotation of a rigid body about a fixed axis, motion of a rigid body in a plane. The dynamic analysis of a rigid body with general planar motion using Newton’s second law, work and energy, momentum and angular momentum. 

Basic concepts, uniaxial stress and strain, Hooke’s law, torsion, pure bending, bending design, shear flow, transverse loads, stress and strain transformation, Mohr’s circle, strain measurement. 

Fatigue, yield criteria, thin-wall pressure vessels, strength and deflection of beams, buckling of columns, instability, indeterminate beams, energy methods, Castigliano’s theorem. 

Analysis of the strength of a mechanical device. Shapes and materials will be modified to meet deflection and stress limits. Written reports will document choices made and assessment of design. Group oral reports. 

Fundamental concepts of linkages; displacement, velocity and acceleration analysis using graphical and analytical methods. Static and dynamic force analysis of linkages. Design of cams, gears and gear trains; including ordinary and planetary gear trains. Balancing rotating masses. Simple gyroscopic effects. 

Student groups to design and build working model of planar linkage mechanism, based on a mechanical application. Cooperation and project management skills. Written reports to document choices made; evaluation of working model performance; and position, velocity, acceleration and force analyses. Group oral reports.

Optimization of any design is essential either to remain competitive or to improve product efficiency and quality. Several optimization methods are presented through a variety of mechanical design and industrial engineering problems. Topics include: single and multi-variable unconstrained optimization, linear programming, transportation, assignment and network problems. Other topics such as constrained and global optimization are introduced.

Application of engineering economic analysis to mechanical and industrial engineering systems. Major emphasis will be given to decision-making based on the comparison of worth of alternative courses of action with respect to their costs. Topics include: discounted cash flow mechanics, economic analyses, management of money, economic decisions. Restricted to students with at least 60 ch.

Review of design process. Safety, environmental and sustainability issues of machine design. Design of shafts, power screws, threaded fasteners. Tolerances and fits. Contact stresses. Lubrication, journal bearings and rolling element bearings. Gearing design: spur, helical, bevel and worm gearing. Critical speeds of rotating systems. Couplings, seals. 

Applies many topics of first 2 years in mechanical engineering. Practical aspects of detailed machine design project in team environment. Student groups to design, build and test a mechanical device for a client. Written reports will document choices made and assessment of design. Group oral reports. 

Conduction: One-dimensional steady conduction and applications. Thermal properties. The differential equations of conduction; analytic and numerical solutions to two-dimensional problems and applications. Unsteady conduction lumped and differential approaches with applications. Temperature measurement. Convection: Dynamic similarity and dimensional analysis; boundary layer theory and applications to flow over heated/cooled surfaces; laminar and turbulent flow-free convection. Heat transfer with change of phase. Radiation: the laws of black body radiation; Kirchhoff's law and gray body radiation. Combined modes of heat transfer: heat exchanger design; augmentation of heat transfer; fins and thermocouples. Environmental heat exchange. Equivalent to CHE 3304. 

Laboratory experiments and measurements related to Heat Transfer I. Laboratory reports and readings are assigned. 

The principles of fluid mechanics are introduced and methods are presented for the analysis of fluid motion in practical engineering problems. Specific topics include: fluid statics; integral balances of mass, momentum, angular momentum and energy; boundary layer theory and introduction to the Navier-Stokes equations; dimensional analysis; and liquid flow in piping networks with pumps and turbines. Pressure and flow measurement and experimental uncertainty.

Laboratory experiments and measurements related to Fluid Mechanics I. Laboratory reports and readings are assigned.

The performance and selection of hydraulic pumps and turbines, the lift and drag on immersed objects, and compressible flow in piping and nozzles. 

Students work in groups on design projects that apply fluid mechanics. Examples include: pump and turbine selection; piping for conveyance of gases and liquids; gas and steam nozzles; lift and drag on air and water craft, land vehicles and projectiles; fluid forces on solid structures.

System concepts. Development and analysis of differential equation models for mechanical, electrical, thermal, and fluid systems, including some sensors. Systems are primarily analyzed using Laplace transforms and computer simulation methods. Analysis concepts cover first, second, and higher order differential equations, transient characteristics, transfer functions, stability, dominance, and frequency response. Properties of systems: time constant, natural and damped frequency, damping ratio. 

Philosophy of automatic control; open loop, sensitivity, components of a control loop; closed loop control, error analysis. Design of P, I, PI, and PID-controllers based on closed-loop specifications. Stability criteria: Routh-Hurwitz. Lead/lag controller design using Root Locus and Bode diagrams. Sensor frequency response to classical inputs. Application of electronics and sensors to control systems based on frequency response. Basic digital analysis including digitization, sampling, aliasing, A/D and D/A devices, and phase loss due to time delays. 

Structure and specification of robotic manipulators. Homogeneous transformations and link descriptions. Manipulator forward and inverse displacement solutions. Jacobians in the velocity and static force domains. Singular configurations and workspace analysis. An introduction to trajectory planning and manipulator dynamics. Lab experiments explore several robotic manipulators. 

An advanced course in methods of manufacturing engineering materials. Technical and theoretical bases of manufacturing methods. Material behaviour during processing. Computer simulation. High speed forming; sheet metal forming; forming limit diagrams.

Principles and physical phenomena of the basic manufacturing processes. A review of the attributes of manufactured products will precede lectures on forging, sheet metal working, machining and joining. Material behaviour during manufacturing. Processing of polymers, particulate metals and ceramics is presented. Design of manufacturing systems and the design of components based on criteria and constraints of manufacturing systems and equipment is included in each topic area of the course. A combination of lectures and experimental labs round out the course content. 

Air standard cycles: Open and closed gas turbine cycles with reheat, regenerative heat exchange and pressure drop. Steam power plants: analysis of vapor power systems, Rankine cycle, reheat and regenerative cycles; binary and nuclear plant cycles, power plant performance parameters, exergy accounting of a vapor power plant. Basic analysis of combined cycle power plants. Refrigeration systems. Properties of gas and vapor mixtures, psychometric principles, air-conditioning processes. Combustion: fuels, chemical equations, experimental analysis and the products of combustion.

Project oriented course dealing with the design of energy systems that meet regional and global energy needs in the 21st century in a sustainable manner. A combination of conventional and renewable energy technologies will be presented, including topics on resources, extraction, conversion, and end-use. The impact of engineering design on the environment, society, and sustainable development is discussed. Projects will focus on the improved design of both conventional and renewable energy systems with the aim of improving overall efficiency while minimizing the environmental and social impact. 

Review of single degree-of-freedom vibration: free response, damping, forced response. Multiple-degree-of-freedom systems. Design for vibration suppression. Distributed parameter systems; wave propagation. Vibration testing and experimental modal analysis including transducers and FFT analysis. 

An interdisciplinary study of the interaction of humans and their workspace. Physiological principles of work and energy. Anthropometry. Biomechanics. The ergonomics of workspace and job design. Fatigue. Work/rest schedules and nutrition. The physiological and psychological effects of human noise, vibration, lighting, vision, and the workspace environment. Lab periods include seminars and practical design exercise applying human factors and ergonomic theory to workspace problems. 

Mechatronics is an integrated approach to mechanical, electronic and computer engineering for the design of “smart” products and “intelligent” manufacturing systems. Fundamentals of mechatronics design, with emphasis on product design and fabrication. Examples of mechanical systems utilizing sensors and actuator technologies, including use of signal conditioning circuits such as filters, amplifiers and analog-to-digital converters. Software design and implementation for process monitoring and logic control. Laboratory experiments give hands-on experience with components and equipment used in the design of mechatronic products. Project to design and fabricate a mechatronic system. 

Concepts in automating processes. Programmable logic controller (PLC) architecture, PLC programming with mathematical functions, and PLC interfacing. Microprocessor selection, programming and interfacing for system automation and control. Project involving use of PLC or microprocessor technology in a mechatronics system. 

A mechanical engineering design is developed and documented in the form of a technical report. Students normally work in approved teams. Industrial projects are developed in cooperation with industry and may require some period of time on site. University-based projects are developed in cooperation with university faculty. The first stage of this process involves definition of the project topic, background studies, and development of a conceptual design. An oral examination is conducted towards the end of the first term, and a written preliminary report is submitted. In the second term, a detailed design is prepared, the project is completed and orally examined, and a final report is submitted. One of the laboratory weekly hours is designated for a scheduled meeting with project advisor(s). Workshops involve practice exercises, relevant to student projects, on: problem definition and formulation, project planning, teamwork, information and communication; conceptual, parametric and configuration designs; and professional, environmental, social, human factors, and safety aspects of design.

Accidents, their effects and causation. Mechanical hazards and machine safeguarding . Temperature extremes. Pressure hazards. Fire hazards, Noise and vibration hazards. Computers, automation and robots. Ethics and safety.

Various methods for solving the forward and inverse displacement problems are described. Particular emphasis is made on the use of screw theory for the derivation of the Jacobian matrix. The selection of alternate frames of reference for describing the Jacobian are also discussed. Methods used in the solution of the inverse displacement problem and the inverse and forward velocity problems for kinematically redundant manipulators are discussed. 

Introduction to the basic concepts of finite element analysis (FEA) including domain discretization, element types, system matrix assembly, and numerical solution techniques. Application of FEA to solve static, dynamic and harmonic problems of linearly elastic solid bodies and heat transfer will be covered in detail. Graduate students enrolling in this course must submit an additional project in order to receive credit for this course.

The fundamentals of metal cutting theory will be examined with particular emphasis on understanding cutting forces, stresses, strains, strain rates, and temperatures during the cutting process. Tribological issues, tool wear, and tool life will also be presented. Tools typically available to the manufacturing engineer such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programming will compromise a significant portion of the course. Using the machine shop in the Mechanical Engineering Department, students will extend classroom concepts to practical scenarios and situations on the machine shop floor.

Principles of fractures mechanics and fracture analysis of engineering structures. Plane elasticity and mathematical methods to determine the elastic stress, strain and displacement fields. Fracture criteria and their limitations. Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics, J integral and COD. Fatigue fracture and S-N curve. 

Review of reactor systems. Neutronic design of equilibrium core. Fuel management. Reactor thermal hydraulics. Accident analysis and safety systems. (This course will not be offered every year. It will be a technical elective for chemical and mechanical engineering students, and is a designated elective in the Nuclear and Power Plant Engineering Option programs within mechanical and chemical engineering.)

Energy classification, sources, utilization, economics, and terminology. Principal fuels for energy conversion. Environmental impact analyses. Production of thermal energy, mechanical energy and electrical energy. Advanced and alternate energy systems. Energy storage. Energy audits. Energy management through control and usage strategies. 

The thermodynamics of internal combustion engines is introduced and applied to reciprocating spark ignition and compression ignition engines. The performance of each engine type is studied experimentally. The mechanical design of reciprocating engines is also examined. 

General CFD topics such as grid topologies, discretization methods and errors, pressure-velocity coupling, solution methods for non-linear equations, and popular solution schemes such as the SIMPLE based methods. Introduction of extensions to core CFD techniques for a wide range of industrial applications, including turbulence models, multiphase flow models for problems in cavitation, boiling/condensation, and solidification/melting. Role of properties in CFD models, as related to non-Newtonian fluids, real and ideal properties for compressible flows, and combustion applications. 

This course will cover topics including the methodology, measurement uncertainty, and signal processing associated with fluid dynamics measurements. Various means of measuring pressure, velocity and visualizing flow will also be discussed.

Introduction to the fundamental concepts of ocean wave energy conversion. Topics include: ocean wave mechanics, the wave energy resource, basic wave energy conversion techniques, analytical and experimental modelling of wave energy converter, power take-off systems, and environmental impact assessment. 

The first half of the course is an introduction to digital control. Emphasis is placed on understanding the relationships between analog and digital techniques. The second half concentrates on developing the basic mathematical framework for state space control. Several powerful abstract mathematical tools such as the projection theorem are introduced.

Study on the design and practical implementation of model predictive controllers and intelligent sensors for industrial type processes. Topics to be studied include sensor selection and instrumentation, signal processing and conditioning, process modelling and identification, computer interfacing, predictive control, optimization techniques, algorithm design and intelligent sensor modelling. The course is project oriented and includes the use of Matlab and LabWindows CVI software. 

Principles of nondestructive evaluation, acoustic emission techniques, ultrasonics, microwave methods, electromagnetic probes, penetrating radiation. 

Historical and descriptive introduction to fossil fuel fired boilers. Coal firing systems. Introduction to different reactor types. Complex Rankine cycles. Steam plant efficiencies. Energy and exergy analysis. Heat transfer in fossil fuel fired boilers. Heat transfer in nuclear reactors. Thermal transport and steam generation. Steam plant heat exchangers. Analysis of real plant data. Laboratory work or special project related to plant systems or operational characteristics. 

Development of steam turbines and review of steam cycles. Turbine thermodynamics and energy conversion. Impulse and reaction blading. Mechanical configuration of turbine components and operational considerations. Efficiency calculations. Past load operations. Review of Gas cycles. Steam turbine governing and operational modes. Operational constraints and thermal effects. Turbine auxiliary systems. 

Provides selected students an opportunity to complete an independent project in association with an undergraduate course within the department. Permission of both the instructor of the associated course and the director of undergraduate studies is required. Students may register for this course only once during their degree.

Provides selected students an opportunity to complete an independent or group-based course of study within the department. Permission of both the instructor of an associated course and the director of undergraduate studies is required. Students may register for this course only once during their degree.

Radio active decay, fission energy, nuclear interactions, neutron scattering, and absorption. Neutron diffusion elementary reactor theory, four and six factor formulae. Neutron flux variation. Reactor kinetics, source multiplication, decay heat, reactor start-up and shut down. Fuel burnup, fission product poisoning, refuelling. Temperature and void effects on reactivity, reactor control. Fuel handling and waste disposal. This course is intended for senior level students.  

A number of topics in biomechanics are examined. Of particular interest is the mechanics of joints, and relation of the internal mechanics of joints to externally applied loads. Analysis techniques are introduced to facilitate analysis of the problems addressed in the course.