Computational Techniques for Engineers - 2019 entry

Industrial and academic research demands on advanced materials design and product optimization has been increasing over the last years. One powerful tool used by companies is materials and device modelling giving a cheap and effective route to new and improved devices. This module will introduce you to the basic concepts of numerical modelling (finite-element modelling with introductions to MatLab and C/C++) and its different fields of application, including thermal modelling, magnetic materials and mechanical deformation modelling, using state of the art software used by academics and companies.

This unit aims to introduce you to the concept of numerical methods and simulation techniques for materials and device modelling, teaching you the strengths and limitations of simulations methods emphasized on state of the art software used by academics and companies.

This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council.

The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-V3).

This module contributes to learning outcomes:

A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online: http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/subjects/engineering/accreditation/

The AHEP document can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at http://www.engc.org.uk/

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM1m, SM1fl, SM2m, SM3m, SM4m, SM2fl, SM5m, EA3m, EA1fl, EA6m, EA3fl

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM2m, EA3m, EA1fl, EA6m, EA3fl, D4m

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge: D6m, G1m G1fl, G3m, G3fl, G4m, G4fl

A. Introduction to the finite-element method  and examples; what it is about it and what it can do:

1.Review of important partial differential equations (PDEs) and Finite-Difference (FD) method for solution of PDEs

2. Finite-Element discretization.

3. Variational principle -Ritz finite-element method and applications

4. Galerkin finite-element method (weighted residual method) and applications

5. Finite Volume Method – basics and applications

6. Discontinuous Galerkin FEM – basics and applications

B. Matlab introduction

1. Matrix and vector operations, solution of linear equations, Loop and logical statements, writing function subroutines, File manipulations and plotting functions

2. Laplace and 2D heat equation, and solution of ordinalry and partial differential equations.

C. Molecular dynamics (linking micro and macro system models)

1. Harmonic Potentials (Morse, Buckingham)

2. Embedded atom Potentials (EAM and MEAM)

D. Introduction into C and C++ programming

1. simple problems from Mechanics (Newton mechanics)

2. simple problems from electromagnetics (coil, electric field and magnetic field)

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.

If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 50% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module: