Module Database Search



MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Failure Analysis
Reference EN4701 Version 5
Created December 2022 SCQF Level SCQF 10
Approved March 2004 SCQF Points 15
Amended August 2023 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
To provide the student with the ability to relate the mechanisms of engineering failures, and methods for their detection, to the incipient and wear-out failure of engineering systems.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Evaluate the properties of materials and their modes of failure under adverse environmental conditions
2 Critically solve problems of complex stress systems
3 Apply a systematic approach to the solutions of typical operational problems in rotating machinery
4 Select appropriate non-destructive methods as applied to defect detection in industrial plants

Indicative Module Content
Microstructural properties of materials; analysis of microstructures; applications of microstructural analysis to failure mechanisms of materials; dielectric properties and degradation processes. Modelling of complex stress systems; failure analysis; fracture toughness and stress intensity factors; crack growth and material failure mechanisms; creep and creep stress relaxation. Operational problems in rotating machinery; unbalance; misalignment bearing and gear faults; mechanical resonance. Condition monitoring methods including vibration. Non-destructive testing methods including acoustic emission.

Module Delivery
The module is taught using a a balanced programme of lectures, tutorials and self-study. Case studies are used to illustrate industrial applications.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 45 45
Non-Contact Hours 105 105
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 150
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Examination Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4
Description: Closed book examination.

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
The module has one component and to gain an overall pass a minimum D grade must be achieved in the component. The component weighting is as follows: C1 is worth 100%.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A A
B B
C C
D D
E E
F F
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module Engineering Analysis 1 (EN3501) or equivalent.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
An Indicative Bibliography will normally reference the latest edition of a text. In some cases, older editions are equally useful for students and therefore, those are the editions that may be stocked.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 DOWLING, N.E., 2013. Mechanical Behaviour of Materials. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
2 HERTZBERG, R.W., 2013. Deformation and Fracture Mechanics of Engineering Materials. 5th ed. New York, NY: Wiley.
3 CALLISTER, W.D., 2015. Materials Science and Engineering. 9th ed. New York, NY: Wiley.
4 BARRON. R, 1996. Engineering Condition Monitoring: Practice, Methods and Applications. Essex: Addison Wesley Longman.
5 ROYLANCE, B.J. and HUNT, T.M., 1999. The Wear Debris Analysis Handbook. Oxford: Coxmoor Publishing Co.
6 REEVES, C.W., 1998. The Vibration Monitoring Handbook. Oxford: Coxmoor Publishing Co.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781