Problem-Solving for Engineering - Report Example

Executive Summary In this report, I have written concerning problem solving for engineering, where I have highlighted the four major activities that we carried out in this course. These four activities included energy activity, digital activity, surveying activity, and acoustics. We used several methods to solve problems, and this report has outlined methods used for each activity. 1.0 Introduction Problem solving for engineering has introduced us to a number of outcomes that are expected in solving a given problem as a group. Each outcome is used to show the completion of all the activities assigned to our group. Weekly reflective journals are used in this report to show how the activity took place on weekly basis, and how we worked as a team as well as my understanding of the subject. Each activity involved a series of tasks such as researching for relevant information, self-reflection, writing in several formats, and public speaking. These tasks will assist me as a student as well as professional in handling engineering issues. 2.0 Learning Outcome Responses 2.1 Outcome 1: Apply fundamental knowledge of mathematics and science to solving engineering problems The first thing we started with was to refresh our memory on various mathematics, physics and other sciences formulas. We used a number of formulas to solve different problems. During the recap, I understood that engineering is a complex discipline that applies scientific knowledge to practical problems. We started by reminding ourselves what we used to do in high school. Some of the basic formulas we reminded ourselves included: Power (P) = Work (W)/Time (t) where the unit for P is Watts or Joules/s Density (D) = Mass (m)/Volume (v) Velocity (v) = Distance (d)/Time (t), and Force (F) = Mass (m) x Acceleration (a); F=ma or mg, where ‘a’ is acceleration and ‘g’ is the gravitational force. We also drew a number of graphs to reflect the calculations of the above formulas. Then the activity that followed after the refresher course is the energy activity which was made up of three parts. The three parts involved determining the engine compression ratio of a Holden motor engine, determining the engine compression ratio of a stationary Kubota engine and determining the amount of heat transfer used wastefully by the radiator. These are all included in the process of forcing unleaded petrol engines to run on natural gas. The cylinder volume in engine was found using the formula V= πr2h. In the second part of this activity, we used our basic knowledge and the knowledge you had gathered so far to carry on. As a result of our earlier recap of drawing graphs, we were able to sketch graphs easily. We did a graph on engine heat transfer via radiator which was plotted as temperature against time. After energy activity, we carried out a second activity which was a digital activity. Our group used the input and output of a programming system to upgrade the Train system alarm. In this activity, our group had two functions in this activity; first was to show how the input and out of the programming system work, and second was to design and draw a diagram of a circuit and test it with electronic equipment. We used basic knowledge of Boolean algebra to achieve the best results in this activity. Through the use of Boolean algebra operations, we were able to come up with the following truth table: A B C P THE ALARM WORK 0 0 0 0 NO 0 0 1 0 NO 0 1 0 1 YES 0 1 1 1 YES 1 0 0 0 NO 1 0 1 1 YES 1 1 0 1 YES 1 1 1 1 YES The next activity was referred to as surveying. In this activity, the group was supposed to measure the height of a tower without getting close to it using Theodolite and the laws of trigonometry. With the help of Theodolite, the group was able to determine the angles and distance of the tower from two different stations. We then used our high school trigonometry information to calculate the height of the tower. The major formulas that we used in this activity were the tangent law and sine rule which are stated as follows: The tangent law: L= tan (c) * D Sine rule: = = The final activity that the group carried out was referred to as acoustics. The main objective of this activity was to determine the effectiveness of the insulation material and the range of effectiveness. We carried out a number of performance evaluation and plotted a graph of traffic noise-control vs. autex which shown the relationship between the frequency and sound transmission loss. 2.2 Outcome 2: Apply systematic approaches to solving engineering problems The four activities were different and they had different solutions. We worked as group to find their solutions through the help of our tutor and other reliable sources such as books and online sources. In every activity, we followed five steps to achieve a solution as follows: Step 1: Forming a group Step 2: Studying the assigned problem and analyzing it thoroughly Step 3: Conducting a research individually Step 4: Meeting and analyzing the information gathered Step 5: Formulating a solution We formed a group comprising of the students that we normally sit together with. We selected a leader of our group who directed the activities of the group. Through the group we carried out the activities as follows: In the energy activity, we worked very closely as a group and we obtained the following results. For the Holden engine motor, the compression ratio acquired was 8.5:1, which was accurate whereas the Kubota engine compression ratio was 2.98:1 which was inaccurate. We made some errors by confusing the measurements from the Holden engine to the Kubota engine as the measurements were written on the same page. Our next activity involved upgrading a train alarm system. Through thorough research, we were able to design the alarm system. This activity was simple and we did not require much assistance as there are many digital electronics resources both online and books. Digital activity, we started the next activity which was surveying where we were supposed to find the height of a tower. Although many of the group members had an idea of what to do in this activity, we needed some clarification from the teacher. The teacher assisted us in taking the readings from the theodolite. From the activity, the results obtained from station 1 indicated that the height of the tower was 35.007 while that of station 2 was 36.064. The actual height of the tower was 37.34. Taking from the mean difference of the height, the values had a variation from the expected value. These deviations emanates from the error that was taken during the activity. The final activity was acoustics where we conducted the experimented as a group and achieved commendable results. The main objective of this activity was to determine the effectiveness of the insulation material and the range of effectiveness. 2.3 Outcome 3: Find, organise and apply information related to engineering problems Finding the relevant information was the critical part in these activities and it a necessary step for solving engineering problems. All the group members relied heavily on online sources to solve most of the problems. Through the internet we are also able to watch videos the elaborated on how we were supposed to carry out the activities. These videos were very informative as they showed practically ho we should perform the activities. However, the final solutions were achieved through workshop practice and the help of our instructor who advised us that we should study our lecture notes accurately. 2.4 Outcome 4: Identify and respond to broad sustainability issues in finding solutions to engineering problems Engineering problems require a wide range of knowledge to solve them. The group I was in was able to handle to handle all the activities because we were all talented differently. For instance, one of the group members was very good in mathematics and remembered laws of trigonometric very well, thus we did not struggle a lot solving the survey activity. On my side, I had prior knowledge concerning digital electronics and I shared with the rest of the group members what I knew. As a group, we all agreed that every one of us should share the skills or experience he had to help the group achieve good results. 2.5 Outcome 5: Communicate effectively with others orally, in writing, and by means of basic engineering drawings Communication among ourselves was very effective despite the fact that we did not have the same level of English capability. English was not native language for most of the group members, but by the time we were through with the activities, every member had improved the lever of his English. We shared our ideas freely without fearing our level of English. 2.6 Outcome 6: Work individually and collaboratively in a team environment For a group to work effectively there is need to be meeting regularly to share ideas and evaluate how you can solve the problem together. Our group was meeting every Wednesday to discuss the progress of our activities. We also assigned each member some sections to work on individually. For instance, in the digital activity I was assigned to discuss the results of our activity and the following was the part I did: Discussion of Results In this part we will examine how the system alarm will work in the Train. In our circuit if “B” press by passengers “only or with any other inputs” the system alarm will activate directly, whereas if in this stage happen for “A” and “C” spritely the system alarm will not activate. Moreover, if the sensors for “A” and “C” work in the same time the system alarm for the train will activate. However, the system alarm will not activate in other method. 2.7 Outcome 7: Demonstrate awareness of social and cultural perspectives that impact on learning and working in a team One thing I have noted while we were working as a group is that we have passed through different forms of education systems. Some of our group members were finding the education system in this university very different from what they were used to. We all had diverse ways of studying and helped us a lot as we were learning from each other on the way to handle our studies in different ways. 2.8 Outcome 8: Demonstrate reflection of learning by keeping a personal journal The journal for this section is attached in the portfolio appendices. 2.9 Outcome 9: Demonstrate safe practice for non-specialised laboratory and an ability to identify potential safety hazards In the workshop, we were provided with laboratory manuals that contained safety rules to guide us while doing our activities. When doing some experiments, you are supposed to take care because you can cause some harmful accidents such as fire, thus we were urged to follow the safety rules strictly. Our group made sure we studied the safety rules before starting our experiments. 3.0 Conclusion This report has shown a thorough analysis of the activities carried out throughout the semester. It is a reflection of what happened in problem solving for engineering course. It indicates how I have improved my engineering skills and the knowledge I gained after completing the four major activities carried out in this semester. Reflective Journal Week One My first week in the university was not that good because I experienced some problems trying to cope with the new kind of life that I was not used to. First, there were different cultures in the class and I could not speak good English like some of my classmates. Therefore, I was not able to mingle freely with the students at first. Second, I felt that some lecturers were not teaching the problem solving in engineering unit very well but I did not had the courage to seek clarification where I did not understand. By the end of the first week I had started getting some friends whom were also stranded like me. Week Two In week two, there was some improvement in my learning as well as my relationship with some of my classmates. In this week we were advised to organize ourselves into groups and we started our first practical activity where we were introduced to some measurement activities. The teacher also explained to us how we should work as a group. Week Three In this week, we carried out our first experiment which was the energy experiment. I enjoyed the process of carryout this experiment despite the fact that I made some errors here and there. But this did not disappoint me as ‘error is to human’ and I knew I will improve as we do continue doing more experiments. The experiment was divided into three sections namely engine compression ratio, automotive engine cooling, and thermocouple calibration. This week also so our first quizzes which I did not perform very well, but I never gave up because I was determined to take up the challenge. Week Four Week four was quite good because our group relationship had improved a lot and we understand each other. Therefore, I and other group members were able to handle group assignments in an improved environment. I was getting used to our differences and this strengthened my relationship with other students. We were also introduced to digital electronics where we studied digital numbers and alarms. In this week, we also carried out our second experiment which was digital experiment. This experiment gave me a lot of courage to proceed with my course because I had prior knowledge concerning digital electronics; hence, the group members decided that I should lead in all the activities of this experiment. This encouraged me a lot. In this experiment I learnt how to design and implement a digital circuit. We built a train alarm system which was very successful. Week Five There is little to write about this week because very little learning took place. Our group was also working on two reports namely energy activity report and digital experiment report. There was also some quiz for digital experiment which I got all of them. Week Six In this week, we started studying about surveying experiment, preparing for it, and carrying out the experiment. The experiment was successful because we had a group member who was very good in laws of trigonometric. I learnt how to read theodolite and do some calculations in finding the length of a tower by using laws of trigonometric. The week was very successful as every member was cooperating. Week Seven This week was an extension of week six because we continued to learn about surveying. We also started preparing the surveying report. The teacher also introduced the next experiment and told us to get ready by organizing ourselves into groups or retaining our earlier groups. Since I was very used to the group we started with, I joined them again. In this week, I was focusing on the next experiment and I even started researching about it. Week Eight In this week, the group was compiling the surveying report and each member was requested by the group leader to bring his or her section by the next meeting so that the group can compile the full report of surveying experiment. The group leader also recommended that we should meet twice in that week because we needed to redo our surveying calculation to make sure the results were correct. Week Nine In this week, we started our final experiment which was about acoustics. This experiment was to establish the effectiveness of the insulation material and the range of effectiveness. I participated in this experiment effectively and delivered all my assigned section in a timely manner. After the group leader received all sections he told us that next week we were to finalize our report ready for handing in. Week Ten We finished our report in time and handed in. The teacher also introduced to our last tutorial. We were introduced to the next part of digital electronics. Week Eleven This week did not had have much to report although we met with the group members as usual to discuss the progress of our group activities. Week Twelve This was the last week of the semester which we were supposed to finish all the reports. We finished all our reports in time. We were also taught how to write a portfolio. All in all I learnt useful information which I hope will assist me in my later studies. Read More

The cylinder volume in engine was found using the formula V= πr2h. In the second part of this activity, we used our basic knowledge and the knowledge you had gathered so far to carry on. As a result of our earlier recap of drawing graphs, we were able to sketch graphs easily. We did a graph on engine heat transfer via radiator which was plotted as temperature against time. After energy activity, we carried out a second activity which was a digital activity. Our group used the input and output of a programming system to upgrade the Train system alarm.

In this activity, our group had two functions in this activity; first was to show how the input and out of the programming system work, and second was to design and draw a diagram of a circuit and test it with electronic equipment. We used basic knowledge of Boolean algebra to achieve the best results in this activity. Through the use of Boolean algebra operations, we were able to come up with the following truth table: A B C P THE ALARM WORK 0 0 0 0 NO 0 0 1 0 NO 0 1 0 1 YES 0 1 1 1 YES 1 0 0 0 NO 1 0 1 1 YES 1 1 0 1 YES 1 1 1 1 YES The next activity was referred to as surveying.

In this activity, the group was supposed to measure the height of a tower without getting close to it using Theodolite and the laws of trigonometry. With the help of Theodolite, the group was able to determine the angles and distance of the tower from two different stations. We then used our high school trigonometry information to calculate the height of the tower. The major formulas that we used in this activity were the tangent law and sine rule which are stated as follows: The tangent law: L= tan (c) * D Sine rule: = = The final activity that the group carried out was referred to as acoustics.

The main objective of this activity was to determine the effectiveness of the insulation material and the range of effectiveness. We carried out a number of performance evaluation and plotted a graph of traffic noise-control vs. autex which shown the relationship between the frequency and sound transmission loss. 2.2 Outcome 2: Apply systematic approaches to solving engineering problems The four activities were different and they had different solutions. We worked as group to find their solutions through the help of our tutor and other reliable sources such as books and online sources.

In every activity, we followed five steps to achieve a solution as follows: Step 1: Forming a group Step 2: Studying the assigned problem and analyzing it thoroughly Step 3: Conducting a research individually Step 4: Meeting and analyzing the information gathered Step 5: Formulating a solution We formed a group comprising of the students that we normally sit together with. We selected a leader of our group who directed the activities of the group. Through the group we carried out the activities as follows: In the energy activity, we worked very closely as a group and we obtained the following results.

For the Holden engine motor, the compression ratio acquired was 8.5:1, which was accurate whereas the Kubota engine compression ratio was 2.98:1 which was inaccurate. We made some errors by confusing the measurements from the Holden engine to the Kubota engine as the measurements were written on the same page. Our next activity involved upgrading a train alarm system. Through thorough research, we were able to design the alarm system. This activity was simple and we did not require much assistance as there are many digital electronics resources both online and books.

Digital activity, we started the next activity which was surveying where we were supposed to find the height of a tower. Although many of the group members had an idea of what to do in this activity, we needed some clarification from the teacher. The teacher assisted us in taking the readings from the theodolite. From the activity, the results obtained from station 1 indicated that the height of the tower was 35.007 while that of station 2 was 36.064. The actual height of the tower was 37.34.

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