Sports Engineering

Description

Overview: This module aims to enable students to understand both the basic principles of fluid mechanics and materials choice and apply this knowledge to the design and evaluation of the performance of athletes and their equipment. Syllabus: The module will teach the following in the context of examples from athletics (throwing), ball sports (golf, tennis, snooker), water sports, winter sports and Paralympics sports. Basic Fluid Mechanic theory including Buoyancy, centre of pressure and pressure diagrams Rules of conservation of mass, momentum and energy Fluid flow on immersed bodies including boundary effects, drag, lift and turbulence Issues with regards to models and experimentation Theory of similitude and scaling The general use of fluid mechanics principles for the evaluation of the performance of athletes and sporting equipment Mechanics of sports and approaches and considerations for sports material selection, including: Young’s Modulus, Force v Deflection relationships (linear and non-linear) Visco-elastic Behaviour, Creep and polymer reinforcement Sweet spots and Centre of Percussion Coefficient of restitution Mechanical Behaviour of closed cell foams Vibrations and basic mass-spring-damper models Materials and monocoque construction Fatigue Material design and selection to offer protection Material use in balls and ballistics Learning Outcomes: On completion of the module the student is expected to be able to: LO1 On completion of the module the student is expected to be able to: Knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and methodology necessary to underpin their education in their engineering discipline, to enable appreciation of its scientific and engineering context, and to support their understanding of relevant historical, current and future developments and technologies (SM1b). LO2 Understanding of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key engineering processes (EA1b). LO3 Ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques (EA2). LO4 Knowledge of characteristics of particular materials, equipment, processes or products (P2). Assessment: 1 x Examination (2hrs) = 50% 1 x Class Test = 20% 2 x Assignments = 20% 6 x Assessed Tuturials = 2% Students need to gain a summative mark of 40% to pass the module. Students who fail the module at the first attempt will be re-examined during the August diet. This re-examination will consist entirely of exam.