MEC3029 : Advanced Mechanics
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Module Leader(s): Professor Peter Gosling
- Lecturer: Dr Vladimir Vinogradov
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
Minimum English Language to IELTS 6.0 or Pearsons 54 or equivalent. Satisfy progression or admissions requirement for entry to Stage 3 of CEng-accredited BEng/MEng Honours degree programme (or EU Bologna-compliant equivalent) by satisfactory completion of Stage 2 or equivalent at NQF Level 5 normally with two years of prior study related to this topic); or meeting the Newcastle University entrance requirement for any Masters-level degree programme specifying this particular module in its Degree Regulations.
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
This module aims to extend students’ knowledge and skills in two core areas of mechanical engineering:
• Analytical modelling and analysis of the movement of spatial rigid bodies.
• Computational structural mechanics
Outline Of Syllabus
This mathematical modelling module has two components:
1. Analytical modelling and analysis of the kinematics and kinetics of 3D spatial systems of rigid bodies. Topics include free body diagrams; the inertia tensor; linear and angular momentum, and gyroscopic torque. The importance of this in engineering applications will be studied in, for example, rotors on shafts and bearing reactions.
2. Numerical modelling of linear, nonlinear, static, and dynamic structural mechanics problems using the finite element method. Topics include theoretical principles and application of the finite element method; mathematical modelling for linear-static structural mechanics; finite elements in dynamics and vibrations; non-linear finite element analysis.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 32 | 1:00 | 32:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Semester 2 Digital examination (NUMBAS). |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Semester 1 Digital Examination [NUMBAS]. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 50 | 1:00 | 50:00 | Recommended revision for exam and in-class assessment, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Lab practical |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Computer cluster sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 28 | 1:00 | 28:00 | Tutorial sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 77 | 1:00 | 77:00 | Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The mathematical modelling knowledge and skills components of the module are developed through lectures and tutorials. The implementation of the knowledge and skills are practiced and demonstrated through numerical studies in both tutorials and computer practicals. Lab practicals are used to demonstrate theory and simulation outcomes. Private study is used to develop and consolidate learning further.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 90 | 2 | A | 50 | 1.5hr invigilated NUMBAS exam [C1, C2, C3] |
| Digital Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 50 | 1.5hr invigilated NUMBAS exam [C1, C2, C3] |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design/Creative proj | 2 | M | Group assignment. [C1, C2, C3, C5, C16] |
| Design/Creative proj | 1 | M | Group assignment. [C1, C2, C3, C5, C16] |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Assessment consists of short questions and a smaller set of more exploratory questions delivered via NUMBAS. The short questions combine numerical and written formats to assess the full breadth of the module content. The longer, exploratory questions are based on numerical studies and experiments carried out using software-based finite element analysis (S1) and multi-body dynamics simulation software (S2), with responses supported by written exam working. This assessment format enables students to demonstrate both their understanding of the principles of finite element analysis and multi-body dynamics, and their ability to apply these principles to mechanical engineering problems using commercially available software.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC3029's Timetable