Course syllabus for Engineering design and optimization

The course syllabus contains changes
See changes

Course syllabus adopted 2024-04-03 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameKonstruktionsoptimering
  • CodePPU191
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPPDE
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyAutomation and Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering
  • DepartmentINDUSTRIAL AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 33115
  • Maximum participants60
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0117 Written and oral assignments 3 c
Grading: UG		3 c
0217 Examination 4.5 c
Grading: TH		4.5 c
  • 26 Okt 2024 pm J
  • 09 Jan 2025 am J
  • 27 Aug 2025 am J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

- CAD
- Machine Elements, Applied Mechanics or similar
- FEM
- Programming in Python (or Matlab)
- Material science
- Manufacturing technology
- Mechanics
- Solid mechanics
- Mathematics equivalent to 30 credits, including multivariate analysis and numerical analysis

Aim

The course aims at integrating traditional design methodologies with concepts and techniques of modern optimization theory and practice. Furthermore the course aims to:
-Demonstrate different tools and methods for optimization of mechanical products and structures at different phases of product development
- Design for improvement of components in products and mechanical systems by bridging detailed design and creative side of the design process in a systematic way
- Demonstrate the iterative nature of the development chain including modelling-analysis-test
- Use and familiarize students with modern CAE tools
- Incorporate material selection as a part of the product development process

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

- Master the complete development chain including modelling-analyses-test-evaluation
- Apply previously-learned design methods and tools to practical problems
- Apply previous knowledge in mathematics and mechanics to formulate and solve optimization problems.
- Formulate design optimization problems based on project or product requirements
- Identify areas for improvement in a product design
- Identify and choose appropriate material alternatives for a product based on product requirements
- Create appropriate simulation models of the design problem
- Select an appropriate algorithm based on problem specification
- Assessing the advantages, and disadvantages of different based algorithms based on the optimization problem
- Calculate one iteration from different gradient based algorithms, both constrained and unconstrained
- Describe the logic with different non-gradient based algorithms
- Apply numerical optimization techniques and computer tools to solve optimization problems
- Handle multiple objectives and system in a single optimization
- Integrate robustness and reliability in the optimization formulation
- Understand and apply different types of structural optimization
- Use Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools to design and simulate product performance
- Interpret optimization results for design decision making (e.g., material selection, geometry, manufacturing, production)
- Create CAE drawings for use with three-dimensional printing tools
- Create and iterate on design solutions to continually improve a product's design and performance
- Communicate design solutions, including rationales for a given choice, advantages, and disadvantages over alternatives

Content

- Formulate and solve optimization problems
- Selection and application of optimization algorithms and tools
- Identification of required material properties and selection of materials for design solutions (e.g., Granta EduPack)
- Conversion of requirements and specifications into design objectives and constraints
- Modelling-analysis-test methods linking calculations (e.g., Python, CAD/CAE (e.g., CATIA, ANSYS,COMSOL), and rapid prototyping (e.g., Additive Manufacturing)

Organisation

Lectures, guest lectures, workshops and three assignments on different topics.

Literature

Selected chapters from Engineering Design Optimization (Main literature) (e-book)
Selected chapters from Principles of Optimal Design: Modeling and Computation (e-book)
Selected chapters from An Introduction to Structural Optimization (e-book)
Selected articles

Examination including compulsory elements

Written exam (Grade 5, 4, 3, Fail)
Midterm exam (bonus points for the ordinary exam the same year, applicable with approved final exam)
Three approved assignments (Pass/Fail)
Reflection from guest lectures.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to course:
    • 2024-04-02: Litterature Litterature changed by PA
      Updated information about literature
    • 2024-04-02: Aim Aim changed by PA
      Updated purpose
    • 2024-04-02: Examination Examination changed by PA
      Update information about examination
    • 2024-04-02: Content Content changed by PA
      Updated content
    • 2024-04-02: Learning outcomes Learning outcomes changed by PA
      Updated learning outcome
    • 2024-04-02: Prerequisites Prerequisites changed by PA
      Updated information about prerequisites
    • 2024-04-02: Organization Organization changed by PA
      Updated information about organisation