MODULE DESCRIPTOR
MECHGR91 – Ship Design Exercise
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MECHGR91
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Ship Design Exercise
M
45/18
March*
June
A Greig
Module Coordinator
R Bucknall
Supported by external lectures and other staff of the Department
Prerequisites
This module is normally only taken by students enrolled on the MSc Marine Engineering however students
with a suitable marine engineering background will be considered for CPD at the MSc Marine Engineering
Programme Director’s discretion.
Course Aims and Objectives
To course aims to develop team working and project management skills and to improve technical writing
and critical analysis ability. Each student will be required to contribute to a group design project over an
extended period of time and to produce a coherent body of work to a deadline. The objective is to take the
group through each stage of design a ship from initial customer requirements to a fully worked up concept
design. The aim of the module is to provide the student with an understanding of the procurement and
design process for a large marine artefact, by requiring the students to synthesize a design concept from
a set of operational requirements. He/she will have to balance conflicting requirements such as cost and
performance, and learn how to resolve interdisciplinary technical issues with other team members.
A small engine-propeller matching exercise is set at the start of the main part of the module. This ensures
that all students experience the design of a mechanical transmission system and provides feedback early
on during the module.
Method of Instruction
Introductory lectures followed by regular design reviews. Guidance is provided by academic staff but it is
expected that the work and effort is driven and managed by the student group.
Assessment
Coursework: Engine-Propeller Matching exercise
(5%) Presentation and question and answer session
(15%) Thesis (80%)
Resources
Additional Information
This module runs in conjunction with the Naval Architecture module MECHGN05 and students
from the two modules work together in groups but produce separate reports.
Content
The course comprises an interdisciplinary Group Design Project supported by a series of
lectures/seminars on Project Management, Ship Design, and Marine Engineering. The Design Project is
undertaken in small groups of students combining students from the Marine Engineering MSc
(MECHGR91) and students from the Naval Architecture MSc (MECHGN05). Groups are typically 3 to 4
students. Marine Engineers also have a separate Engine-propeller matching exercise early in the
exercise.
Students design ships from a customer's outline requirements; the ships ranging from frigates and escort
carriers to diving support vessels and cruise ships. Advanced marine vehicles are designed as well as
monohulls. The exercise is supervised by the Professor of Naval Architecture and other staff members
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with particular experience of ship design practice. The design work includes use of a suite of preliminary
design computer programs together with a computer aided design systems for ships (PARAMARINE) for
the more detailed design work. The Marine Engineers are expected to concentrate on specifying the
propulsive machinery and all auxiliary equipment.
Students are issued with outline requirements for the Ship Design Exercise during the January, this
enables them to start the ship design whilst finishing the formal lecture courses and preparing for the
written exams. The students start work full time on their ship design once the written exams are finished
towards the end of March. The design exercise then runs until the middle of June. Design lectures, which
support the Ship Design Exercise, are given from the start of the course in October and run right through
to the completion of the exercise in June. These supporting lectures include those from visiting lecturers
in the ship design community, as well as attendance at IMarEST Technical Meetings and Symposia. The
designs are assessed both through meeting specific design tasks and by regular reviews via design
presentations to the staff. Final presentation of the designs is by a written report and formal presentation
to external examiners who are eminent in the field of ship design.
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Learning Outcomes1 MECHGR91
General Learning Outcomes
Ability to develop, monitor & update a plan, to reflect a changing operating environment
The course involves a major group design exercise planning, monitoring progress and
adapting the plan to the changing situation are necessary skills
Ability to monitor and adjust a personal program of work on an on-going basis, and to learn
independently
1. Normal background reading/study common to all degree programs
2. The ship design exercise has a significant personal work load requiring well developed
self study and independent learning skills
The ability to exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or
leader
Fundamental to the ship design exercise, the exercise combines students from
the Marine Engineering MSc and Naval Architecture MSc in design teams of 3 - 4.
The ability to learn new theories, concepts and methods etc and apply these in unfamiliar
situations
Normal learning situation common to all degree programs. Particularly emphasised in this
exercise due to the interdisciplinary nature of the exercise and the requirement to
balance conflicting requirements such as cost and performance.
Specific Learning Outcomes
Underpinning science & Mathematics
A comprehensive understanding of the relevant scientific principles of the specialisation
The excise provides the students with numerous opportunities to demonstrate their understanding
of the scientific principles of marine engineering both mechanical and electrical
A critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights much of which is at, or informed by, the
forefront of the specialisation.
Designs are always set with current marine engineering problems and challenges in mind, this
provides the students with ample opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of these issues. By
working in a multi disciplinary group Students also gain an awareness of associated Naval
Architecture problems.
An understanding of concepts relevant to the discipline, some from outside engineering, and the ability
to critically evaluate and apply them effectively.
The Module is aimed at developing a deep understanding of the application of specialist knowledge
(IFEP, propulsion, auxiliaries etc) in the interdisciplinary environment of a ship design; together with
an understanding of the compromises necessary due to the conflicting nature of requirements, both
technical and environmental. Additional aspects such as ship operation, economics, manning
safety and IMO regulations also have to be considered.
1 EAB website http://www.engab.org.uk/documentation document Accreditation Of Masters Degrees Other Than MEng last
accessed 10 Aril 2012
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Engineering Analysis
Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies
The course explores the applications of current methods to novel hull configurations e.g.
trimarans / pentamarans and machinery installations, e.g. fuel cells, IFEP
Ability to apply appropriate models for solving problems in engineering and the ability to assess
the limitations of particular cases;
The module applies current methods to the solution of problems in the areas of ship design. Strong
emphasis is placed on discussion of the limitations and assumptions inherent in current
methods. Students also demonstrate this skill during the engine-propeller matching exercise.
The ability to collect and analyse research data and use appropriate engineering tools to tackle
unfamiliar problems, such as those with uncertain or incomplete data or specifications, by the
appropriate innovation, use or adaptation of engineering analytical methods.
The course develops the skills necessary to collect and apply data to an emerging ship design making
appropriate allowance for the likely accuracy and consequences of errors in that data. The staff
requirements for the ship are open ended and include some (deliberately) poorly and perhaps
contradictory specifications.
Design
The ability to apply original thought to the development of practical solutions for products,
systems, components or processes
The whole module is design orientated and it is intended to provide an opportunity for the
students to generate innovative solutions to a set of operational requirements
Economic, Social and Environmental Context
Knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and
how these may be applied appropriately, in the context of the particular specialisation
The design must include consideration of production and through life support as well as
economic and environmental constraints
The ability to make general evaluations of risks through some understanding of the basis of such
risks
All designs are evaluated on a cost capability basis and commercial designs are driven by
economic analysis.
Engineering Practice
A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely
new developments
Designs must meet all current and planned legislation additional constraints on future fuel type and
cost are often imposed to provoke thought and consideration of new developments by students
Advanced level knowledge and understanding of a wide range of engineering materials and
components
Designs consider a range of material and component solutions
The ability to apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial
constraints
Economic analysis is a key element in the design process.
Last updated 8 Dec 2014
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