ME641 - Engineering Analysis Project Ideas, Optimization of something on an f-body Options

[Teutonic Speedra...]

I'm taking a grad class now that requires a project that a group of three of us are going to work on.

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The purpose of this project is to apply methods studied in this course to a selected Mechanical Engineering application.......

The project should be defined such that its analysis should involve methods related to a combination (as many as possible) of the main topics discussed in this course which include: Linear Algebra, Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations, Numerical Analysis, and Optimization.

The project should include the following components:

1. Theoretical (analytical) study
2. Numerical simulation
3. Optimization
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My other group members mentioned they wouldn't mind doing something related to my car. It's not supposed to be too involved and when we are done we need a report and a short 10-15 minute presentation. Oh, the other catch is we need to use MATLAB as an intergral tool in our analysis.

I was thinking of optimization of something on the f-body. I was also thinking of something related to oil coolers (heat transfer), rear spoilers (aerodynamics), suspension (springs/shocks), etc.

You guys have any other ideas? Something not too basic, but not too complicated.

Oh, and we need to have our topic by tomorrow night (Tuesday, February 8th).

Thanks,
Dennis

[jensend]

How about something related to brake cooling or improving ducted air flow?

[slowTA]

I'm going to come across the same thing next semester for an undergrad class. It wont involve as much math but we have to design something and attempt to build it if possible. I was thinking torque arm which might work for you. You can figure out the optimum length under acceleration and compare it to the best length for braking. We kind of know where a good compromise is already, but you can do the math to prove it. Maybe you can do something with how subframe connectors or a roll cage would stiffen the frame or how shorter/longer A-arms would effect camber change.

What school are you taking the class at?

[Teutonic Speedra...]

SlowTA,

Thanks for the ideas! I'm taking it at Stevens, but they offer it at work. I went to NJIT for undergrad.--Where you are at, right?

[00 SS]

I designed a header in college. I optimized it for tube diameter and length. This was far from easy to prove mathmatically. I strongly recommend you stay away from compressible flow (intake or exhaust) since you don't want it to be too complicated. Althought the brake cooling ducts wouldn't be too bad.

How about valve spring rate optimization with an after market cam?

[slowTA]

Yep... I'm going to NJIT right now. Actually I just got back from doing a stupid Pro-Engineer assignment. The porblem is that the professor doesn't really understand the software himself so he doesn't tell us why we have to do each step... that means I have to do it 3 or 4 times to get it right. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

You have to be better off at Steven's, NJIT has a great professor for Pro-E but they're making him teach something else... go figure. I think I've spied my professor being taught the program from the guy who knows what he's doing (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

[Teutonic Speedra...]

Yep... I'm going to NJIT right now. Actually I just got back from doing a stupid Pro-Engineer assignment. The porblem is that the professor doesn't really understand the software himself so he doesn't tell us why we have to do each step... that means I have to do it 3 or 4 times to get it right. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

You have to be better off at Steven's, NJIT has a great professor for Pro-E but they're making him teach something else... go figure. I think I've spied my professor being taught the program from the guy who knows what he's doing (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

I wonder if I know of the professors you are talking about. I liked my ProE professor at NJIT. I'm taking classes through work/Stevens for free, so I didn't really pick Stevens! Just can't beat working til 4:00, going to class from 4:30 to 7:00 once a week, for free to get my masters!