Introductory description

ES4E3-15 Vibration of Civil and Mechanical Engineering Structures

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• Introduction to vibration in civil and mechanical engineering structures
• Types of vibration
• Vibration properties (magnitude, frequency, duration)
• Components of a vibration measurement system
• Vibration analysis (signal representation in time- and frequency-domain; signal processing)
• Biodynamics of human body and vibration transmission
• Assessing vibration effects on humans and sensitive equipment
• Vibration limits according to national/international standards/guidelines

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of different vibration sources and associated vibration characteristics [M1(M), M2 (M)].
• Demonstrate a systematic knowledge of the design and signal processing principles that underpin the development of vibration data acquisition systems [M1(M), M2(M), M4(M)].
• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of human biodynamics and vibration transmission [M1(M), M2(M), M7(M)].
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of complexities involved in evaluating the vibration effects on humans and sensitive equipment [M1(M), M2(M), M4(M), M17(M)].
• Critically assess vibration effects on humans and associated uncertainties by analysing an advanced experimental setup on an as-built structure [M1(M), M2(M), M7(M), M17(M)].
• Constructively evaluate and criticise relevant British and other standards and guidelines . (e.g. BS6841, ISO2631, UK National Annex to Eurocode 1) [M1(M), M2(M), M4(M), M17(M)].

Indicative reading list

Brandt, A. 2023. Noise and vibration analysis: signal analysis and experimental procedures, Wiley.
Mansfield, N. J. 2004. Human Response to Vibration, CRC Press.

Subject specific skills

1. Ability to conceive, make and realise a component, product, system or process
2. Ability to develop economically viable and ethically sound sustainable solutions
3. Ability to be pragmatic, taking a systematic approach and the logical and practical steps necessary for, often complex, concepts to become reality
4. Ability to seek to achieve sustainable solutions to problems and have strategies for being creative and innovative
5. Ability to be risk, cost and value-conscious, and aware of their ethical, social, cultural, environmental, health and safety, and wider professional engineering responsibilities

Transferable skills

1. Numeracy: apply mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimize solutions
2. Apply problem solving skills, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities
3. Communicate (written and oral; to technical and non-technical audiences) and work with others
4. Overcome difficulties by employing skills, knowledge and understanding in a flexible manner
5. Ability to formulate and operate within appropriate codes of conduct, when faced with an ethical issue
6. Appreciation of the global dimensions of engineering, commerce and communication