Engineering Projects
Topics Include: Mechanics & Machine Dynamics, Stress Analysis, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, Pipes and Pumps, Drafting, Computer Simulations, Programable Controllers (PIDs), Tribology.
Capstone Research Project: Performance of Aluminum Foam Body Armour
Key Attributes:
- Applied material properties and used sophisticated FEA simulation software to model the ballistic impact performance of aluminum foam in new lightweight body armour composite designs.
- Applied leadership, problem solving, and interpersonal skills to achieve project milestones with results communicated to industry leaders.
- Research published: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.finmec.2023.100187
Team Project: Heated Swimming Pool
Key Attributes:
- Applied fundamentals of fluids mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer to design a piping system in CAD (Revit).
- Communicated with peers to solve problems, coordinate activities, and promote team dynamics.
Description of Project
This team project involved designing pipes, pumps, a water heater, and a heat exchanger for an eco-friendly heated swimming pool. Featuring solar heating to reduce the water-heater’s fuel consumption, energy and flow calculations were conducted while applying City regulations to the design; Revit CAD drawings were developed and presented to peers. A similar process of applying regulations and Thermofluid principles can design more ecofriendly, piping/ducting systems.
Team Project: Miniature trebuchet
Key Attributes:
- Used prototyping to optimize the trebuchet’s throwing range.
- Promoted team dynamics to achieve project objectives while staying within time and budget constraints.
Description of Project
This team project involved the conceptualization, design, construction, and technical evaluation of a working miniature floating-arm trebuchet. Building prototypes to model design ideas was central to the project. In taking a product from concept through blueprint to reality, the processes used in completing this project are quite similar to those used in real-world product optimization and development.
Track and Chart Simulation
Key Attributes:
- Used engineering tools to visualize and simulate a complex system.
Description of Project
Using the Part Design, Assembly Design, and DMU Kinematics functions of CATIA, a track and cart was simulated in 3D. A similar process can be applied to other systems to analyze moving parts of a complex system.
Heat Exchanger Design
Key Attributes:
- Used CFD (COMSOL) to design and analyze a heat exchanger.
Description of Project
Using COMSOL, the design of a heat exchanger was developed by analyzing its heat transfer efficiency. The design features a counter-flow fluid direction and maximizing the surface area to conduct heat. A similar CFD analysis can be applied to other systems to optimize the design.
Team Project: Patio Umbrella
Key Attributes:
- Promoted team dynamics to achieve the project objectives within time constraints.
- Used engineering principles of statics to design a patio umbrella that satisfied specified criteria.
Description of Project
This team project involved the conceptualization and design of a patio umbrella. The static and fatigue strength of materials was analytically calculated to optimize life-cycle cost benefits. A similar method of design can be used to create and optimize other mechanical systems.
Crank-Slider Simulation
Key Attributes:
- Created an analytical simulation to model and analyze a simple machine.
Description of Project
Using MATLAB to solve dynamic relationships, this project involved design analysis and simulation of a crank-slider machine. A similar analysis can be applied in the design optimization of a similar real-life machine.
Analysis and Design of Aircraft Landing Gears
Key Attributes:
- Applied stress analysis and material science to analyze the design life of aircraft landing gear assemblies.
Description of Project
This project analyzed the strength, fatigue resistance, and fracture toughness of aircraft landing gear assemblies to gain insight into their designed lifetime. The assemblies from Boeing’s MD 10 and British Airways Avro RJ 85 aircraft were used in the analysis. A similar analysis can be applied to design other mechanical systems for strength while being cost efficient.
Seat-Suspension Model
Key Attributes:
- Applied concepts of system modeling to prepare for PID controller development.
Description of Project
A vehicle seat-suspension system was modelled using MATLAB and Simulink to analyze vibrations. From any system model, the transfer function can be obtained, leading to the development of PID controllers to control the system for optimal use.
Team Project: Mini-Bike Design
Key Attributes:
- Designed the drive chain for performance and durability.
- Employed interpersonal skills to achieve the team’s design objectives while staying within time constraints.
Description of Project
This team project involved the conceptualization, design, and construction of a mini-bike. Using computational and analytical calculations, the chain, bearings, and braking systems were designed to optimize life-cycle cost benefits. A similar approach to this team design project can be used to create and optimize other real-life machines.
CAD Model of an Airplane
Key Attributes:
- 3D CAD design and rendering.
Description of Project
Using the Part Design and Wireframe & Surface Design functions of CATIA, a popular CAD program, an airplane body, wings, and tail of my own design was modeled in 3D. A similar process can be applied to the CAD design and modeling of a wide range of similarly complex 3D shapes.
