Coursework Title: Individual project
Module Information
Module Title: Multidisciplinary Design & Engineering Optimisation
Module Code: KB7043
Task: Choose a design optimisation problem from the attached list of design problems. Write a report with no more than 7000 words and no more than 15 A4 pages in the main body.
Learning Outcomes assessed in this assessment: (from the Module Descriptor)
Appraise key features of modern engineering design concepts, theories and methods and develop critiques of them
Plan the design optimisation processes for complex engineering design problems
Conduct essential calculations for reliability driven design problems
Formulate for a given design problem the corresponding optimisation problem, identifying the best applicable search method and carrying out essential calculations to find the optimum solution
Carry out design under uncertainties for a given problem, making critical decisions and performing essential calculations
Additional Instructions to students: This is an individual project. Students will make use of MATLAB for their coding.
The report will be typed using the template provided, with single line spacing, 11pt Calibri (Body) font.
Assessment Criteria/Mark Scheme:
| Part | Component | Description | % |
| Introduction | Overview | Provide an introduction to the problem selected, the aims and objects of this study and state the relevance in industry. | 5% |
|
Formulation |
Literature Survey |
Carry out a literature survey on the theory and application relevant to the selected problem. |
8% |
|
Problem formulation |
Formulate the selected problem verbally and mathematically in the form of an optimisation problem. Elaborate on the identification of design qualities, selection of design objective(s), design variables, type of constraints and type of the optimisation problem. |
5% |
|
|
Deterministic Optimisation |
Optimisation method selection |
Select an apporpriate optimization method (Genetic Algorithm, Particle Swarm or Simulated Annealing) for solving the optimi- sation problem. Justify the rationale behind the selected method and discuss the selected constraint handling method, fitness definition, and objective evaluation. |
7% |
|
Implementation |
Implement the problem formulation in the optimization code and briefly discuss the implementation in the main body. Provide the MATLAB code in Appendix A. |
15% |
|
|
Optimisation Solution |
Solve the optimisation problem and prove the optimality of the solution. Investigate effect of changes in the controlling parameters. |
18% |
|
|
Nondeterministic Analysis |
Uncertainty Selection |
Identify all sources of uncertainties in the selected design optimisation problem. |
2% |
| Uncertainty Distribution |
Quantify/Approximate the level and distribution of uncertainties for each uncertain parameter identified above. |
5% |
|
|
Monte Carlo Solution |
Write a Monte Carlo code to investigate the effect of uncertainties on the performance and the robustness of the optimal solution found above. Provide the MATLAB code in Appendix B. |
15% |
|
| Conclusion | Summary | Conclude the report with the major findings. | 5% |
|
General Presentation |
Aesthetic Aspects |
Neatness of the document, spelling and grammar, figures and tables, referencing, making use of the template. | 5% |
|
Following instructions |
Keeping within the word and page limit. | 10% | |
| Total | 100% |
Referencing Style: British Standard or Harvard
Expected size of the submission: no more than 7,000 words or 15 A4 pages, with single line spacing, 11pt Calibri (Body) font.
Assignment weighting: This assignment is worth 50% of the module marks
Academic Integrity Statement: You must adhere to the university regulations on academic conduct. Formal inquiry proceedings will be instigated if there is any suspicion of plagiarism or any other form of misconduct in your work. Refer to the University’s Assessment Regulations for Northumbria Awards if you are unclear as to the meaning of these terms. The latest copy is available on the University website.
Design Optimisation Problems
Select ONE of the options below and follow the instructions given on the assignment brief. Advise me of your selection on 13 February 2019 during class.
| Option | Description |
| 1 |
Optimal sizing of a standalone Wind-PV-Battery-Diesel hybrid renewable energy system For an arbitrary site with known load and resource profile, find optimum size of each component (including inverter/converter) leading to minimum levelised cost of energy subject to a series of constraints including a number of arbitrary end- user requirements. Refer to: Maheri, Alireza (2014) Multi-objective design optimisation of standalone hybrid wind-PV- diesel systems under uncertainties. Renewable Energy, 66. pp. 650-661 
|
| 2 |
Design optimisation of a flat finned heat exchanger For an arbitrary capacity (heat transfer rate in W), ambient temperature and maximum allowable temperature, find the optimal material and size for the finned heat sink below leading to minimum cost. Refer to: Articles published in journals Heat and Mass Transfer, AppliedThermal Engineering, International Journal of Refrigeration (keyword: flat finned heat exchanger). 
|
| 3 |
Design optimisation of an adaptive passive beam vibration absorber For an arbitrary set of data (beam length, cross-section and material), find the optimal configuration and characteristics of a string-mass absorber that maximises the absorber operation range. Refer to: Acar M.A. and Yilmaz C (2013) Design of an adaptive–passive dynamic vibration absorber composed of a string–mass system equipped with negative stiffness tension adjusting mechanism. Journal of Sound and Vibration, 332. pp. 231–245 
|
| 4 |
Design optimisation of a nanofluid flat solar collector Find the optimum configuration (tube type, tube size, tube surface roughness, type of nanoparticle, size of nanoparticle, mass flow rate, tube distribution configuration, glazing type and size, insulation size and type) of a nanofluid flat solar collector which maximises the efficiency per unit area. Refer to: Articles published by Omid Mahian (keyword: nanofluid) in journals International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Energy Conversion and Management, Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science. 
|
| 5 |
Design optimisation of hybrid photovoltaic–thermal collectors Find the optimum configuration (see figure below) of a hybrid photovoltaic–thermal collector integrated in a domestic hot water heating system with the objective of cost. Refer to: Vera JT, Laukkanen T, Siren K (2014) Multi-objective optimization of hybrid photovoltaic– thermal collectors integrated in a DHW heating system. Energy and Buildings, 74. pp. 78–90 
|
| 6 | Select your own optimization problem. |
USA 
India