Masters Degrees (Fracture Mechanics)

Course Description

Structural Design aims to provide an understanding of aircraft structures, airworthiness requirements, design standards, stress analysis, fatigue and fracture (damage tolerance) and fundamentals of aerodynamics and loading. The suitable selection of materials, both metallic and composite is also covered. Manufacturers of modern aircraft are demanding more lightweight and more durable structures. Structural integrity is a major consideration of today’s aircraft fleet. For an aircraft to economically achieve its design specification and satisfy airworthiness regulations, a number of structural challenges must be overcome. This course trains engineers to meet these challenges, and prepares them for careers in civil and military aviation.

Overview

This course is suitable for students with a background in aeronautical or mechanical engineering or those with relevant industrial experience.

The Structural Design option consists of a taught component and an individual research project.

In addition to management, communication, team work and research skills, each student will attain at least the following outcomes from this degree course:
- To build upon knowledge to enable students to enter a wide range of aerospace and related activities concerned with the design of flying vehicles such as aircraft, missiles, airships and spacecraft
- To ensure that the student is of immediate use to their employer and has sufficient breadth of understanding of multi-discipline design to position them for accelerated career progression
- To provide teaching that integrates the range of disciplines required by modern aircraft design
- To provide the opportunity for students to be immersed in a 'Virtual Industrial Environment' giving them hands-on experience of interacting with and working on an aircraft design project.

English Language Requirements

If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. The minimum standard expected from a number of accepted courses are as follows:

IELTS - 6.5
TOEFL - 92
Pearson PTE Academic - 65
Cambridge English Scale - 180
Cambridge English: Advanced - C
Cambridge English: Proficiency - C

In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low.

We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date).

Core Modules

The taught programme for the Structural Design masters is generally delivered from October to March. After completion of the four compulsory taught modules, students have an extensive choice of optional modules to match specific interests.

Core:
- Fatigue Fracture Mechanics and Damage Tolerance
- Finite Element Analysis (including NASTRAN/PATRAN Workshops)
- Design and Analysis of Composite Structures
- Structural Stability

Optional:
- Loading Actions
- Computer Aided Design (CAD)
- Aircraft Aerodynamics
- Aircraft Stability and Control
- Aircraft Performance
- Detail Stressing
- Structural Dynamics
- Aeroelasticity
- Design for Manufacture and Operation
- Initial Aircraft Design (including Structural Layout)
- Airframe Systems
- Aircraft Accident Investigation
- Crashworthiness
- Aircraft Power Plant Installation
- Avionic System Design
- Flight Experimental Methods (Jetstream Flight Labs)
- Reliability, Safety Assessment and Certification
- Sustaining Design (Structural Durability)

Individual Project

The individual research project aims to provide the training necessary for you to apply knowledge from the taught element to research, and takes place from January to September.

Recent Individual Research Projects include:
- Review, Evaluation and Development of a Microlight Aircraft
- Investigation of the Fatigue Life of Hybrid Metal Composite Joints
- Design for Additive Layer Manufacture
- Rapid Prototyping for Wind Tunnel Model Manufacturing.

Group project

There is no group project for this option of the Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc.

Assessment

Taught modules (20%); Individual Research Project (80%)

Career opportunities

The AVD option in Structural Design is valued and respected by employers worldwide. The applied nature of this course ensures that our graduates are ready to be of immediate use to their future employer and has provided sufficient breadth of understanding of multi-discipline design to position them for accelerated career progression.

Graduates from the have gone onto pursue engineering careers in disciplines such as structural design, stress analysis or systems design. Many of our former graduates occupy very senior positions in their organisations, making valuable contributions to the international aerospace industry.

Many of our graduates occupy very senior positions in their organisations, making valuable contributions to the international aerospace industry. Typical student destinations include BAE Systems, Airbus, Dassault and Rolls-Royce.

For further information

On this course, please visit our course webpage - http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/Courses/Masters/AVD-Option-in-Structural-Design

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This course is for practising engineers or graduates who want to become technical specialists or managers in industrial and manufacturing companies.

It increases your career potential by improving your

• knowledge and experience of materials engineering
• technical and problem solving skills
• management skills
• ability to take on greater responsibility

You also develop your understanding of current best practice in the theory and application of leading edge technologies, processes and systems in materials engineering.

You study

• two management modules
• five technical modules
• one optional module

Option modules include • advanced manufacturing technology • CAD/CAM • engineering for sustainability • equipment engineering and design • finite element / finite difference analysis

The international product development module involves working in multidisciplinary teams to develop a new product within a global market. This develops much sought after advanced technical and business skills. The project provides a supported environment to develop your ability in an area of your interest.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of partly meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer; graduates who have a BEng (Hons) accredited for CEng will be able to show that they have satisfied the further learning requirement for CEng accreditation.

Course structure

Core management modules

• finance and marketing
• project and quality management

Core technical modules

• fatigue and fracture mechanics
• advance investigatory techniques for materials engineers
• advanced metallic materials
• competitive materials technology
• group project – international product development

Option modules

One from

• advanced manufacturing technology
• CAD/CAM
• sustainability energy and environmental management

MSc

• project and dissertation (60 credits)

Assessment

• examination
• coursework
• project reports

Employability

If you are a new graduate, this course gives you the knowledge and skills to begin a career as a technical specialist in cutting edge materials industries. If you are already employed in materials engineering, it improves you career potential and can lead to roles with greater responsibility. It can also help towards research, consultancy and academic career paths.

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About the course

The course at Brunel stands out from others in the market because NSIRC is the UK’s first industrially-led postgraduate education centre, which is a joint initiative between TWI and Brunel University London as the lead academic partner.

There are no other postgraduate opportunities that provide a dedicated, specialist training programme that combines academic excellence through Brunel University London, with extensive up-to-date industrial experience of TWI’s experts across the many and varied disciplines essential to structural integrity, as applied in the oil and gas, power generation and transportation sectors.
 
 The National Structural Integrity Research Centre (NSIRC), an education and research collaboration with Brunel University London, is contributing to the course.

Aims

This programme is specifically tailored to provide graduates or practising engineers with the necessary skills to pursue a successful engineering career, who are targeted for recruitment by companies and organisations globally. As industry-ready engineers, recent graduates of this MSc are in high demand and have been successful in gaining employment in:

Oil and gas industry
Engineering consultancies
Asset management
Research organisations

When structures fail, the results can be catastrophic. Not only in terms of potential loss of life and operational downtime, but also because of the huge costs associated with subsequent inspection and repair. Integrity engineers play a crucial role in preventing these failures. Their decisions influence structural design, determine service life extensions and improve safety for a wide range of sectors, including oil and gas, power generation and transportation.

This unique postgraduate programme provides the necessary training needed to detect the existence, formation and growth of damage and defects, and to assess the influence of loads and stresses arising from manufacture and applied in service. While being able to detect defects is vital, it is knowing what to do with these defects that is at the core of this programme. You can expect to be taught by industrial experts involved in developing codes, standards and working practices.

Being industry-led, this programme provides an opportunity to work on real engineering projects, equipping graduates with applied knowledge of material and structural failure, finite element analysis, non-destructive testing and project management. 

Course Content

The MSc in Structural Integrity is based around eight modules and an industry-led dissertation project. Please be aware modules may be subject to change.

Modules:

Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue Analysis
Materials - Metallurgy and Materials
NDT Inspection Methodology
Codes of Practice with Principles and Application
Stress Analysis and Plant Inspection
Numerical Modelling of Solids and Structures
Reliability Engineering
Structural Health Monitoring
Dissertation

Work Placements

All dissertation projects will be linked to an industrial research scheme thus providing opportunities for placements to various extents appropriate to the project requirement.

Teaching

The course runs from September to September, with the key activities in the period up to the end of April being taught lecture modules and seminars from leading experts in the UK. From May until the end of the programme, students work full-time on their industrially supported dissertation project.

The programme employs a wide range of teaching methods designed to create a demanding and varied learning environment including a structured lecture programme, self-study online videos, case studies, “hands on” computing and testing laboratory sessions and guest speakers.

Assessment

Each module is assessed through a range of assessment types (including group work), to ensure students have a comprehensive understanding and can readily apply the taught material to real engineering problems.

Special Features

The MSc in Structural Integrity of Brunel University London has significant industrial involvement with contribution from the NSIRC. The MSc course will combine academic excellence with the extensive up-to-date industrial experience of TWI's experts across the many and varied disciplines that are essential to structural integrity.

Student diversity
Our students come from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds. Many have specific careers in mind, or are already practising integrity engineers working in the oil and gas or power generation sectors. This mix of experience creates an extremely valuable learning environment and excellent opportunities for networking.

Location
Located in a purpose-built facility adjacent to the headquarters of TWI, this specialist off-campus programme is solely delivered at the Granta Park science campus just outside Cambridge. The setting allows students to work alongside leading academics and industrial experts who are at the forefront of structural integrity research.

Getting to Granta Park is convenient and straightforward, with several shuttle buses travelling directly from the city centre every day. Students can enjoy life in Cambridge and benefit from the many sporting, cultural and social events this compact cosmopolitan city provides. Cambridge is also conveniently close to London, just a 45-minute journey by train, and enjoys easy access to the major London airports and road links to the rest of the country. 

Excellent facilities
The bespoke teaching, research and experimental facilities are outstanding; with state-of-the-art equipment available to support a variety of research topics specified by our industrial partners and includes:

- Industry standard commercial software including Simulia ABAQUS, MATLAB and industry standard software developed by TWI, including CrackWISE (fracture and fatigue assessment procedures (BS 7910) for engineering critical assessment and IntegriWISE (Fitness-For-Service (FFS)) assessment software for evaluating the integrity of ageing pipework, pipelines, storage tanks, boilers, pressure vessels and high temperature equipment.

- Access to joint facilities across Brunel University London and TWI, which allows component and full scale testing, which includes mechanical and fatigue testing under different environmental conditions, NDT inspection, together with access to 4D tomography and microscopy facilities.

- Access to onsite, dedicated high performance computing facility, which permits large scale computational research projects to be performed.

- Combined access to Brunel and TWI library resources, which includes the latest publications, staff journal papers and the latest design codes and standards developed by TWI.

Accommodation
With a vast student mix in Cambridge, there is accommodation available minutes from TWI.

Women in Brunel Engineering and Computing Programme

Brunel’s Women in Brunel Engineering and Computing mentoring scheme provides our female students with invaluable help and support from their industry mentors.

Accreditation

Accreditation by external professional bodies is further testament to our teaching standards and course content. Graduates are able to use this degree to satisfy part of the further learning requirements for Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

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Mission and goals

Graduates in Civil Engineering work in the field of constructions and infrastructures. The subjects taught in the Master’s Degree Program aim at strengthening the basic preparation of the students, providing them, at the same time, with an adequately deepened knowledge of topics central to Civil Engineering. Students can choose their field of specialization in one of the following areas: Geotechnics, Hydraulics, Transportation infrastructures, Structures. Suggested study plans help students define their curriculum. Additionally, a General curriculum is also proposed, aimed at students preferring a wider spectrum formation in Civil Engineering.
The programme includes two tracks taught in English.

See the website http://www.polinternational.polimi.it/educational-offer/laurea-magistrale-equivalent-to-master-of-science-programmes/civil-engineering/

Career opportunities

Engineers having obtained the Master’ degree can find career opportunities in the following areas:
1. companies involved in the design and maintainance of civil structures, plants and infrastructures;
2. universities and higher education research institutions;
3. public offices in charge of the design, planning, management and control of urban and land systems;
4. businesses, organizations, consortia and agencies responsible for managing and monitoring civil works and services;
5. service companies for studying the urban and land impact of infrastructures.

They can also work as self-employed professionals.

Presentation

See http://www.polinternational.polimi.it/uploads/media/Civil_Engineering_02.pdf
Civil Engineers deal with structures (e.g. buildings, bridges, tunnels, dams) and infrastructures (such as roads, railways, airports, water supply systems, etc.). The two-year Master of Science in Civil Engineering provides students with a sound preparation on these topics, allowing them to choose a curriculum (or ‘track’) among the five available: General, Geotechnics, Hydraulics, Transport Infrastructures and Structures. The ‘General’ curriculum aims at training civil engineers with a broader range of expertise in the design, implementation and management of civil works of various kinds. ‘Geothecnics’ is devoted to the study of engineering problems involving geomaterials (i.e., soil and rock) and their interaction with civil structures (foundations, tunnels, retaining walls).
‘Hydraulics’ deals with problems concerning water storage, transportation and control (pipelines, sewers, river and coastal erosion control, reservoirs). ‘Transport Infrastructures’ covers various subjects of transportation engineering (road and railway design, airport and harbor design, modeling of transport fluxes). ‘Structures’ is devoted to the analysis and design of civil and industrial structures
(steel and concrete buildings, bridges, etc.). The tracks ‘Geotechnics’ and ‘Structures’ are taught in English.

Subjects

1st year subjects
- Common to the two curricula:
Numerical methods for Civil Engineering; Computational mechanics and Inelastic structural analysis; Theory of structures and Stability of structures; Dynamics of Structures; Advanced Structural design*; Reinforced and prestressed concrete structures*; Advanced computational mechanics*; Mechanics of materials and inelastic constitutive laws*; Fracture mechanics*

- Curriculum Geotechnics:
Groundwater Hydraulics; Engineering Seismology

- Curriculum Structures:
Steel structures*; Computational Structural Analysis*

2nd year subjects
- Common to the two curricula:
Foundations; Geotechnical Modelling and Design; Underground excavations; 1st year subjects marked by * may also be chosen;

- Curriculum Geotechnics:
Slope Stability

- Curriculum Structures:
Earthquake Resistant Design; Bridge Theory and Design; Structural rehabilitation; Precast structures; 1st year subjects marked by * may also be chosen

See the website http://www.polinternational.polimi.it/educational-offer/laurea-magistrale-equivalent-to-master-of-science-programmes/civil-engineering/

For contact information see here http://www.polinternational.polimi.it/educational-offer/laurea-magistrale-equivalent-to-master-of-science-programmes/civil-engineering/

Find out how to apply here http://www.polinternational.polimi.it/how-to-apply/

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About the course

Enhance your knowledge of aerospace systems and structures with advanced modules and an extensive research project. Subjects include: aerodynamics and aeropropulsion, fatigue and fracture of aerospace components, composites for aerospace applications and structural health monitoring of aerospace structures.

Your career

Our courses are designed to prepare you for a career in industry. You’ll get plenty of practical research experience, as well as training in research methods and management. Recent graduates now work for Arup, Rolls-Royce and Network Rail.

A world-famous department

This is one of the largest, most respected mechanical engineering departments in the UK. Our reputation for excellence attracts world-class staff and students. They’re involved in projects like improving car designs and designing jaw replacements – projects that make a difference.

Our world-famous research centres include the Insigneo Institute, where we’re revolutionising the treatment of disease, and the Centre for Advanced Additive Manufacturing. We also work closely with the University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Support for international students

Our students come from all over the world. We’ll help you get to know the department and the city. Your personal tutor will support you throughout your course and we can help you with your English if you need it.

Labs and equipment

We’ve just refurbished a large section of our lab space and invested over £350,000 in equipment including new fatigue testing facilities, a CNC milling centre, a laser scanning machine and a 3D printer.

Core modules

Information Management; Research Project; Advanced Experiments and Modelling; Design Innovation Toolbox.

Examples of optional modules

A selection from: Computational Fluid Mechanics; Renewable Energy; Engineering Composites Materials; Advanced Fluid Mechanics; Reciprocating Engines; Aerodynamic Design; Experimental Stress Analysis; Tribology of Machine Elements; Aeropropulsion; Condition Monitoring.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching takes place through lectures, tutorials, small group work and online modules. Assessment is by formal examinations, coursework assignments
and a dissertation.

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• An on-line version of a well established programme with an international reputation for excellence in the petroleum industry.
• Primarily suited to hydrocarbon industry professionals who wish to further develop knowledge and skills whilst continuing full-time work.
• Comprehensive learning materials delivered via a dedicated web portal: video clips, animations, audio-visual presentations, fully-illustrated manuals, self-assessment quizzes, exercises and computer-based practicals.
• Field trips and intensive study seminars held at various locations worldwide.
• An option to be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Petroleum Geoscience is available if a project is not undertaken.

Hydrocarbons are a precious resource. Finding new reserves is becoming ever more challenging and the enhanced recovery of reserves from existing fields is becoming increasingly important. Well trained Petroleum Geoscientists with the ability to integrate geological and geophysical data, and to apply it on a variety of scales, have a vital role to play. The MSc in Petroleum Geoscience provides graduates with training in the practical and technical skills required to address a range of questions, from understanding the distribution of hydrocarbons in sedimentary basins to quantifying the complex structural, stratigraphic and sedimentological architecture of individual reservoirs.

Studying Petroleum Geoscience at Royal Holloway
• The programme has the same curriculum as the MSc Petroleum Geoscience offered in London at the Royal Holloway campus and at Tyumen Oil and Gas State University in Russia.
• The department is ranked highly in national research assessment exercises as having a research output of international excellence.
• The programme has been developed by and is supported by a team of 13 academic staff, all active researchers and tutors in the field of Petroleum Geoscience.
• Tutorial support provided for each module by Royal Holloway staff
• With experience of supervising hundreds of independent projects for masters students, Royal Holloway staff can provide expert advice for the planning of projects to be carried out using industry data.

Course Content
The programme comprises six taught modules (MSc and PGDip) and an Independent Research Project (MSc only).
Geodynamics of Sedimentary Basins
Tectonics and geodynamic evolution of sedimentary basins, subsidence analysis, thermal histories.
Geophysical Analysis
Seismic acquisition and processing, interpretation techniques, seismic mapping, attribute analysis and reservoir characterisation.
Structural Analysis
Structural interpretation of seismic data, fault and fracture analysis.
Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
Siliciclastic and carbonate depositional systems, facies analysis, seismic and sequence stratigraphy, and palaeogeographic analysis and mapping.
Reservoir Geoscience
Well log analysis, rock mechanics, reservoir geology and geophysics, reservoir modelling.
Petroleum Systems
Petroleum systems, basin modelling, play analysis, petroleum economics.
Independent Project (MSc only)
An independent research project focussed on some aspect of Petroleum Geoscience, designed to meet individual training needs & carried out in association with industry.

Tuition and Assessment
Fully illustrated course materials provided through a web portal, with interactive coursework exercises and on-line tutorials. A two-week residential study period with team projects and incorporating a field course forms part of the programme. On-line quizzes and tutor-supported coursework provide feedback on learning; assessment is by coursework exercises submitted on-line and written examinations for each module.

Applications http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/geoscience

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