ENN416 Mechanical Design for Professional Engineers
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | ENN416 |
|---|---|
| Antirequisite(s): | EGB316 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,368 |
| International unit fee | $6,216 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | ENN416 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Anti-requisite: | EGB316 |
| Coordinator: | Mohammad Mirkhalaf Valashani | mohammad.mirkhalaf@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Mechanical design within professional engineering practice requires graduates apply analytical techniques in a systematic way to develop and justify their confidence in a design or analysis. This unit teaches Masters of Professional Engineering students fundamental and advanced theories of mechanical design analysis, and will apply this in the design and analysis of mechanical engineering applications. It emphasises methodical design process, the application of relevant design standards, and Computer Aided Design (CAD) and advanced simulation using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). This unit develops the systematic knowledge and practice of engineering problem solving, design analysis and procedures, use of professional standards, and highlights the need for sustainable and contextually appropriate solutions. It prepares you for advanced study in Mechanical Design.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Examine and apply the fundamental scientific principles of mechanics and failure in the context of mechanical design.
- Implement design modelling, analysis and standards in the assessment and specification of mechanical components to synthesise coherent design solutions.
- Practice systematic approaches to mechanical engineering design and analysis procedures, employing practice-oriented design processes, developing engineering judgement and engaging with research directions in mechanical simulation.
- Communicate engineering design and analysis procedures in professional formats and environments.
- Implement key strategies for effective teamwork in professional environments.
Content
The course follows a practice based learning approach where you will be introduced to all the concepts relating to fundamental design and detailed analysis of mechanical components that constitute a typical gearbox (shafts, bearings, gears, housings, keyways, circlips, etc.). You will learn theory, solid modelling, and analysis that all incorporate into the design process, while also applying these to a design and build project of your own.
- Mechanical design, design procedure, and teamwork
- Force and Load analysis in design
- Stress calculations and superposition
- Static failure theories in design
- Fatigue failure in design, including fluctuating fatigue and design and time varying loads
- Detailed shaft analysis with AS1403 and ANSYS
- Practice based design analysis workflow
- Welded and bolted joint design for machine componentry under fatigue using hand calculations, AS4100/BS7608 standards, and ANSYS
- Application of the full design workflow to other machine components
Learning Approaches
In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:
- Formal lectures from experienced professional engineers where short phases of content delivery alternate with in-class short-form problem solving aligning with each delivered concept, as they are delivered. You will have the opportunity to ask questions during these lectures.
- Design workshops that will be carried out in the design laboratory where students are given a real machine component to measure, estimate appropriate loading scenario for using reason or operational measurement, carry out hand calculations on key characteristics of the design, and defend why their answer is reasonable to the supervising tutor.
- Practical computer class where the commercial Engineering software packages Solidworks and ANSYS will be taught through guided screencasts or workbook instructions, accompanied by an analysis activity (that relates to the corresponding design class) to be viewed and signed by the tutor.
At the beginning of the unit, you will be made aware of the ways in which you can ask questions or seek clarification from the Unit Coordinator and Tutors.
You are expected to:
- Engage with timetabled activities on campus and ask questions.
- Manage your time to engage with online resources outside of timetabled activities. These will be available on the unit Canvas site. You will receive regular email announcements regarding release of these resources.
- Engage with your peers in a learning community to practice problem solving and then work independently to complete your assessment tasks.
- Prepare for timetabled classes and activities and follow up on any work not completed.
- Complete assessment tasks by working consistently across the semester and meeting the due dates that are published via the unit Canvas site.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
During workshop and computer lab classes, you will receive direct feedback on your weekly tasks. You will also get the opportunity to discuss your project and share formative ideas for your Design and built project. You are encouraged to view your group as a learning community and to share and discuss your understandings of the design process and how it impacts practice as a professional engineer. Each assessment submission will be graded against criteria and standards that will be shared with you at the beginning of semester through Assessment Task Descriptions and Marking Rubrics. Marked assessment will include feedback given by the markers against the criteria.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment in this unit has been designed to give you the opportunity to show your learning against the unit learning outcomes. Assessment will be based on the following assessment tasks: a design journal for calculations and Solidworks/ANSYS models with feedback throughout the semester, A design and build project undertaken in a group and independently to apply the skills and knowledge gained in this unit, and final examination.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Design Portfolio
Students will complete weekly tasks during and after class where they will apply analysis, modelling, and process skills developed in this unit to real mechanical components.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Design and Build Project
Groups of students will design and build a prototype of a real mechanical system which will be tested at the end of semester. A report including full design and analysis procedures, analytical and computational calculations/analysis and professional design drawing will be produced and each group member will reflect upon their group performance over the course of the project.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Exam (Written)
A written exam will be undertaken to validate student's ability to successfully and independently engage with the unit's learning requirements and test the overall knowledge gained during the semester.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
You are required to use the following:
- The unit website on QUT's Canvas (learning materials that support timetabled activities and assessment tasks)
- QUT Library Databases
- QUT Cite| Write: You can access QUT cite/write online (Free download from QUT library)
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
H.-H. Lee, Finite Element Simulations with ANSYS Workbench 21, SDC Publications (2021)
R.C. Juvinall, K.M. Marshek, Machine Component Design, 6th Ed. International Student Edition Version, Wiley (2017)
Risk Assessment Statement
You will be informed of any requirements pertaining to a safe workplace. In lectures, tutorials and such, the information will include location of fire exits and meeting points in case of fire. If you do not follow legitimate instructions or endanger the safety of others or do not act in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Act, you will be required to leave the session.
You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of members in the teaching team and technical staff. Prior to entry to a laboratory space you must complete the Undergraduate Health, Safety and Environment Induction (annual completion requirement). You will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes or steel capped shoes, lab coat, and safety glasses). The unit’s Canvas site will provide you with a copy of the risk assessment and will provide you with details on how to perform the laboratory tasks safely.