Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• The project will involve the modelling and control of an 'evaporator', which is a process used in many industries (eg. dairy products, chemicals).
• As a first step a simulation model will be built and tested.
• Then a control system will be designed for the process, and its performance checked by simulating its operation with the evaporator.
• Modern simulation and analysis software will be used throughout.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

• To take students through the simulate/analyse/design/test cycle for an industrial control system (unfortunately omitting implementation).
• To expose students to state-of-the-art software for control engineering.
• To give students experience of simulating dynamic systems.

Content

For the first three weeks students will work in pairs, with all pairs producing similar simulation models. For the final week, students will work in groups of 4, with each group having the option of using a different methodology for designing the final control system.

Week 1

Familiarisation with Simulink simulation and Matlab software. Familiarisation with description and mathematical model of evaporator. Construction and test of Simulink model of the evaporator.

Week 2

Completion of testing Simulink model of the evaporator. Refining the model. Closing one control loop. First interim report.

Week 3

Initial control design for the whole model. Investigation of performance when model behaviour changes. Investigation of integrator wind-up. Second interim report.

Week 4

Group Activity. Choice of further control system design project. Final report.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• The project will involve the modelling and control of an 'evaporator', which is a process used in many industries (eg. dairy products, chemicals).
• As a first step a simulation model will be built and tested.
• Then a control system will be designed for the process, and its performance checked by simulating its operation with the evaporator.
• Modern simulation and analysis software will be used throughout.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

• To take students through the simulate/analyse/design/test cycle for an industrial control system (unfortunately omitting implementation).
• To expose students to state-of-the-art software for control engineering.
• To give students experience of simulating dynamic systems.

Content

For the first three weeks students will work in pairs, with all pairs producing similar simulation models. For the final week, students will work in groups of 4, with each group having the option of using a different methodology for designing the final control system.

Week 1

Familiarisation with Simulink simulation and Matlab software. Familiarisation with description and mathematical model of evaporator. Construction and test of Simulink model of the evaporator.

Week 2

Completion of testing Simulink model of the evaporator. Refining the model. Closing one control loop. First interim report.

Week 3

Initial control design for the whole model. Investigation of performance when model behaviour changes. Investigation of integrator wind-up. Second interim report.

Week 4

Group Activity. Choice of further control system design project. Final report.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• The project will involve the modelling and control of an 'evaporator', which is a process used in many industries (eg. dairy products, chemicals).
• As a first step a simulation model will be built and tested.
• Then a control system will be designed for the process, and its performance checked by simulating its operation with the evaporator.
• Modern simulation and analysis software will be used throughout.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

• To take students through the simulate/analyse/design/test cycle for an industrial control system (unfortunately omitting implementation).
• To expose students to state-of-the-art software for control engineering.
• To give students experience of simulating dynamic systems.

Content

For the first three weeks students will work in pairs, with all pairs producing similar simulation models. For the final week, students will work in groups of 4, with each group having the option of using a different methodology for designing the final control system.

Week 1

Familiarisation with Simulink simulation and Matlab software. Familiarisation with description and mathematical model of evaporator. Construction and test of Simulink model of the evaporator.

Week 2

Completion of testing Simulink model of the evaporator. Refining the model. Closing one control loop. First interim report.

Week 3

Initial control design for the whole model. Investigation of performance when model behaviour changes. Investigation of integrator wind-up. Second interim report.

Week 4

Group Activity. Choice of further control system design project. Final report.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• To familiarise students with the use of the principal surveying instruments: total stations (including reflectorless), levels, and GNSS (Global Navigational Satellite Systems).
• To introduce the main techniques of field survey (traversing, levelling, resectioning, point fixing, detail collection and setting-out) and of survey management (planning, adjustment, projection and mapping).
• To show how geographical considerations affect the planning of civil engineering constructions.
• To familiarise students with aspects of the construction process.

Content

This project introduces students with no previous surveying experience to the techniques of modern survey under near-realistic conditions. As well as being essential technical knowledge for any student who has an interest in any area of civil engineering, the course illustrates many of the problems and issues which are faced by engineers whenever accurate and reliable measurements have to be made under adverse conditions. A basic introduction to river modelling is also included in the project.

Those students who have already been introduced to basic surveying through the Extension Activity in Part IIA should choose Project GD5.

FORMAL

• In Exercise 1, students will join the GD5 students to study basic river modelling methods and flood risk management strategies. 

• In Exercise 2, students will be introduced to field survey techniques.

• In Exercise 3, students will plan and create their own network of control points for point-fixing, mapping and setting out.

Students work in groups of three (and for some parts, in groups of six) for Exercises 2 and 3, and each group is responsible for collecting and analysing its own data. Assessment will be based on the quality of work and results achieved in the field, as well as reports describing the work which has been done

Week 1

Introduction to river modelling and calculation of water surface profiles in steady flows (exercise 1); basic use of surveying instruments, and techniques (exercise 2).

Week 2

Complete exercise 2, then site reconnaissance and planning.

Week 3

Traverse, detailing, point fixing and levelling (exercise 3).

Week 4

Adjustment, mapping, setting out and final report.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

• To understand the major components and working principles of a quay;
• To understand astronomical tides and storm surges;
• To deduce strength parameters of soils from test data;
• To design retaining walls in complex situations using hand calculations and the finite element method;
• To specify a capping beam, fenders and bollards;
• To decide the construction procedure and calculate the project cost;
• To appreciate the multi-disciplinary nature and the environmental impact of an engineering project.

Content

The project involves the design of an anchored sheet pile wall on one side of an estuary to create berthing for ships and retain a section of river bank for storage and traffic. It aims to show how structural, geotechnical and hydraulic concepts can be applied in the design of facilities.

FORMAT

Students normally work in groups of four, but are responsible for and author specific parts of the reports. Groups can capitalise on a broader range of ideas for the overall conceptual designs, and can deal more comprehensively with the detailed design.

Week 1

Site characterisation – tide and storm surge, ships, quay dimensions, soil properties.

Week 2

Conceptual design – selection of the quay location, possible structural forms of the quay wall and ancillary components, construction procedures, other things that need to be considered. (Interim report is due.)

Week 3

Design a sheet pile wall remaining in equilibrium under earth pressure, water pressure and surcharge exerted by cargo, vehicles and cranes.

Week 4

Complete the detailed design of the quay wall, and decide an overall configuration of the quay together with scour prevention measures and berthing and fendering facilities. (Final report is due.)