Overview
This project-based learning unit examines the behaviour of mechanical systems. You will apply knowledge of engineering science and mathematics to model and analyse mechanical systems and consider the nature of engineering assumptions, and the effects of uncertainty on modelling and analysis. You will apply vibration and control theory, design and analyse linear and non-linear mathematical models and use simulation software to predict the behaviour of mechanical systems in the industry. You will have opportunities to work individually and in teams to complete projects and to develop interpersonal and technical communication skills. You will prepare professional documentation of problem solutions and project reports. Online students are required to have access to a computer. In this unit, you must complete compulsory practical activities. Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for proposed dates.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: (ENEM12007 Statics and Dynamics or ENEM12010 Engineering Dynamics) and MATH12225 Applied Computational Modelling
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 12-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE report
Great communication. Always encouraging students to communicate with the lecturer and answer quickly and effectively.
Should continue to communicate effectively with all students.
Feedback from SUTE reports
Maybe marking a little sooner would help as there is a crossover between consecutive assessments.
Assessment marks should be released to students to avoid crossover between consecutive assignments.
Feedback from UC reflection
Most students fail to start early on their group project work.
Students should be encouraged to communicate effectively among themselves from the beginning of the term.
Feedback from SUTE reports
Useful feedback score is low from student survey response.
Providing feedback in a matter that is more easily understood by the students and provide an additional session for understanding feedback.
- Design mathematical models that analyse and evaluate mechanical systems
- Apply control theory and control system approaches to mechanical systems
- Justify the role of engineering assumptions in building mathematical models of mechanical systems
- Relate theory to problems of introducing, operating and maintaining mechanical systems in the industrial context
- Identify and evaluate engineering uncertainty and the limitations of mathematical models
- Work collaboratively in a team to produce high quality outputs
- Create professional documentation using mechanical systems terminology, symbols and diagrams.
The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Professional Engineers in the areas of 1. Knowledge and Skill Base, 2. Engineering Application Ability and 3. Professional and Personal Attributes at the following levels:
Introductory
Intermediate
Advanced
Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for further information on the Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers and course level mapping information
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
1 - Project (applied) - 20% | |||||||
2 - Project (applied) - 25% | |||||||
3 - Laboratory/Practical - 25% | |||||||
4 - Portfolio - 30% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
1 - Communication | |||||||
2 - Problem Solving | |||||||
3 - Critical Thinking | |||||||
4 - Information Literacy | |||||||
5 - Team Work | |||||||
6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||||
8 - Ethical practice | |||||||
9 - Social Innovation | |||||||
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Project (applied) - 20% | ||||||||||
2 - Project (applied) - 25% | ||||||||||
3 - Laboratory/Practical - 25% | ||||||||||
4 - Portfolio - 30% |
Textbooks
Mechanical Vibrations in SI Units
Edition: 6th edn (2017)
Authors: Rao, S
Pearson
Harlow Harlow , Essex , UK
ISBN: 9781292178608
Binding: Paperback
Modeling And Analysis Of Dynamic Systems
Edition: 3rd edn (2001)
Authors: Close, C, Frederick, D, Newell, J
John Wiley and Sons
Southern Gate Southern Gate , Chicester , UK
ISBN: 9780471394426
Binding: Paperback
Theory of Vibrations with Applications
Edition: 5th edn ( Pearson New International Version) (2013)
Authors: Thomson, W
Pearson
Harlow Harlow , Essex , UK
ISBN: 9781292042718
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- CNS, MKY, GLD and BDG students will also benefit if they have a laptop they can bring to the computer labs and tutorial sessions.
- 3.5mm or USB Integrated headphones/microphone headset to be used in the computer labs zoom sessions (for CNS, MKY, GLD, BDG and MIX students)
- A4 document scanner required to scan any written work into their final presentation submission
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
n.khandoker@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Review of Mechanical Vibrations
Project #1 - Mechanical Vibration Modelling
Chapter
Thomas:
Ch 1: 1.1 Harmonic Motion, 1.2 Periodic Motion, 1.3 Vibration Terminology.
Ch 2: 2.1 Vibration Model, 2.2 Equation of Motion: Natural Frequency, 2.6 Viscously Damped Free Vibration, 2.7 Logarithmic decrement, 2.8 Coulomb Damping.
Ch 3: 3.1 Forced Harmonic Vibration, 3.5 Support Motion, 3.7 Energy Dissipated by Damping. 3.10 Sharpness of Resonance
Ch 4: 4.1 Impulse Excitation, 4.2 Arbitrary Excitation.
Rao:
Ch 1: 1.4 Basic Concepts of Vibration, 1.5 Classification of Vibration.
Ch 2: 2.2 Free Vibration of an undamped Translational System, 2.6 Free Vibration with Viscous Damping, 2.7 Free Vibration with Coulomb Damping
Ch 3: 3.3 Response of an Undamped System Under Harmonic Force, 3.4 Response of Damped System Under Harmonic Force, 3.6 Response of a Damped System Under the Harmonic Motion of the Base, 3.8 Forced Vibration with Coulomb Damping.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: Introduction to Matlab and Simulink
Tutorial: Free Vibration
*Residential school will be conducted online. For estimated timing, see Moodle announcements.
Module/Topic
Mathematical Modelling of Dynamic Systems.
Chapter
Close:
Ch 2: 2.3 Interconnection Laws, 2.4 Obtaining the System Model.
Rao:
Ch 6: 6.2 Modelling of continuous System as Multidegree of Freedom Systems, 6.3 Using Newton's Second Law to Derive Equations of Motion.
Thomas:
Ch 4: 4.3 Laplace Transformation Formulation.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: 1 DOF modelling in Matlab and Simulink
Tutorial: Damped Vibration
*Residential school will be conducted online. For estimated timing, see Moodle announcements.
Module/Topic
Two Degrees of Freedom Analysis.
Chapter
Thomas:
Ch 5: Systems with Two or More Degrees of Freedom.
Rao:
Ch 5: Two Degree of Freedom Systems.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: Forced Vibration and Non-linear Modelling
Tutorial: Forced Vibration
*Residential school will be conducted online. For estimated timing, see Moodle announcements.
Module/Topic
Laplace, Transfer Functions and Stability
Chapter
Thomas:
Ch 3: Harmonically Excited Vibration.
Close:
Ch 14: Modelling, Analysis, and Design Tools.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: 2 DOF modelling in Matlab and Simulink
Tutorial: Forced Vibration
*Residential school will be conducted online. For estimated timing, see Moodle announcements.
Module/Topic
Improving the Accuracy of Models
Chapter
Ch 14: Modelling, Analysis, and Design Tools.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: Multiple DOF modelling in Matlab and Simulink
Tutorial: Mode Shapes
Lab Report Submission: Torsional Vibration.
*Residential school will be conducted online. For estimated timing, see Moodle announcements.
Module/Topic
Vacation Week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to Control Analysis
Project #2 - Application of Mechanical Control
Chapter
Close:
Ch 15: Feedback Design with MATLAB.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: PID Controller
Tutorial: Control Block Diagrams
Project 1: Mechanical Vibration Modelling Due: Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Control System Stability
Chapter
Close:
Ch 14: Modelling, Analysis, and Design Tools.
Ch 15: Feedback Design with MATLAB.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: Analysis of Controllers
Tutorial: Control Stability Calculations
Lab Report Submission: Free Vibration.
Module/Topic
Noise and Delay in Control Systems
Chapter
Close:
Ch 14: Modelling, Analysis, and Design Tools.
Ch 15: Feedback Design with MATLAB.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: Combination of Control, Vibration Modelling and Kinematics
Tutorial: Noise and Delay in Control Calculations
Module/Topic
Improving the Accuracy of Models
with Control
Chapter
Close:
Ch 14: Modelling, Analysis, and Design Tools.
Ch 15: Feedback Design with MATLAB.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: Help on finalizing Project #2
Tutorial: Help on finalizing Project #2
Lab Report Submission: Forced Vibration.
Module/Topic
Final Assessment Brief
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: Clarification of final assessment
Tutorial: Clarification of final assessment
Project 2: Application of Mechanical Control Due: Week 10 Friday (26 Sept 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Theory Review
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: Review of Modelling with Matlab and Simulink
Tutorial: Review of Vibration and Control Theory Application
Module/Topic
Guest Lecture
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Computer Lab: Discussions on demonstration questions
Tutorial: Discussions on demonstration questions
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
CQU Portal page at MathWorks site can be used to access and install complete MATLAB products.
You need to use your CQU email address to create an account.
1 Project (applied)
Project 2 is a team project consisting of 4 to 5 students. The project applies mechanical control and control theory analysis to a mechanical system. Control is applied to a simple single degree of freedom model through to multiple degrees of freedom model. Three types of modelling and analysis will be used, including the use of control theory, Matlab and Simulink software packages. The project instructions will provide details on the core elements required from the application of control through to analysis, discussion and conclusions. The full details of the project are on the Moodle site (available 2 weeks prior to the term). The team project contributes to the units final grade and also provides learning and evidence required for the Individual portfolio submission. To pass the unit, involvement in the team project needs to be demonstrated.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 10 Friday (26 Sept 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Friday (10 Oct 2025)
Reports will be returned two weeks after submission.
While this is a team report, each member of the team may receive varying grades. In the final report, the team will be asked to specify each members percentage contribution in the project. This percentage contribution will be used to determine the grade each student will receive. To help with team management the percent contribution should be discussed at the beginning of the project and at the end of the project. Each team member should reference their own contributions in the team report by use of the Harvard author-date system i.e. (McClanachan 2018).
The team report will be graded on the main elements of the application of control through to analysis, discussion and conclusions. The report should also be professionally presented, clearly show and explain the development of the control system, equations, models including any assumptions or limitations of the control system and analysis. To maximise time spent on the unit's core aim it is recommended that diagrams are hand-drawn and any mathematical equations or working be handwritten and scanned into the document. The report should be written and contain enough detail such that an engineer could understand, check and if necessary repeat the work described. A detailed marking criteria specific to the project elements is available on the Moodle site (available two weeks prior to the start of the term).
- Design mathematical models that analyse and evaluate mechanical systems
- Work collaboratively in a team to produce high quality outputs
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Project (applied)
Project 1 is a team project consisting of 4 to 5 students. The project includes the mechanical vibration modelling and analysis of a mechanical system from a simple single degree of freedom through to multiple degrees of freedom analysis. Three types of modelling and analysis will be used, including mechanical vibration theory, Matlab and Simulink software packages. The project instructions will provide details on the core elements required from modelling through to analysis, discussion and conclusions. The full details of the project is on the Moodle site (available 2 weeks prior to the term). The team project contributes to the units final grade and also provides learning and evidence required for the Individual portfolio submission. To pass the unit, involvement in the team project needs to be demonstrated.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 6 Friday (29 Aug 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Friday (12 Sept 2025)
Reports will be returned two weeks after submission.
While this is a team report, each member of the team may receive varying grades. In the final report, the team will be asked to specify each members percentage contribution in the project. This percentage contribution will be used to determine the grade each student will receive. To help with team management the percent contribution should be discussed at the beginning of the project and at the end of the project. Each team member should reference their own contributions in the team report by use of the Harvard author-date system i.e. (McClanachan 2018).
The team report will be graded on the main elements of modelling through to analysis, discussion and conclusions. The report should also be professionally presented, clearly show and explain the development of modelling equations, models including any assumptions or limitations of the analysis. To maximise time spent on the unit's core aim it is recommended that diagrams are hand-drawn and any mathematical equations or working be handwritten and scanned into the document. The report should be written and contain enough detail such that an engineer could understand, check and if necessary repeat the work described. A detailed marking criteria specific to the project elements is available on the Moodle site (available two weeks prior to the start of the term).
- Apply control theory and control system approaches to mechanical systems
- Work collaboratively in a team to produce high quality outputs
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Laboratory/Practical
The schedule of the laboratory classes will be announced in week -1.
There is a compulsory experimental laboratory program in the unit to aid your understanding in the area of mechanical vibration fundamentals. All students, Internal and Mix mode, will complete a full laboratory program. Attendance at the laboratories is required to pass the unit. The laboratories topics include:
- Torsional Vibration
- Free Damped Vibration
- Forced Damped Vibration
All students will complete the laboratory program during the online Residential school (see the Residential School Timetable link under the 'General Information' heading of this document). The timing of the laboratories for other on-campus students will be determined in Week 1 via consultation between the students and the lab technician.
While the laboratories will be done together with all students, each student is to submit their own individual laboratory reports. Use the group environment to confirm and check measurements and application of theory and sample calculations however the presentation of results, discussion and reflections should be your own individual work.
The laboratory reports will include the measurements, results, calculations, discussion and reflections (the laboratory sheets are available on the Moodle site). Laboratory reports are due one week following the laboratory, please refer to the assessment submission block on the Moodle site for exact the due dates.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - NO AI
You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Laboratory Reports are due on every odd numbered teaching week following the completion of residential school.
Laboratory Reports will be returned two weeks after submission.
Each student is to submit their own individual laboratory reports. Students are requested to show the measurements, calculations, results, discussion and required reflections as detailed in the laboratory sheets provided in Moodle. The laboratory reports should not contain work by any other student.
Three reports are required, each worth 8.3% of the unit's final grade.
The reports will be graded on accuracy of measurements, correct application of theoretical calculations, presentation of results, discussion and comparison to theory, further understanding shown in the required reflections and overall presentation. To maximise time spent on the unit's core aim it is recommended that diagrams are hand-drawn and any mathematical equations or working be handwritten and scanned into the document.
As the theory is presented on the laboratory sheets it is not required to repeat or explain the background to the theory. However, the equations used in the calculations should be shown with some sample calculations and any additional description of your analysis. The remainder of calculations can be submitted in the appendix or calculated with the use of a MS Excel spreadsheet. Any additional files the student has used should be submitted along with the laboratory report pdf file.
- Relate theory to problems of introducing, operating and maintaining mechanical systems in the industrial context
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
4 Portfolio
The Portfolio of Individual Work is an online PowerPoint presentation of your individual journey through this unit. In this presentation you shall present the full solution of any of the demonstration questions available on Moodle. To maximise time spent on the unit's core aim it is recommended that diagrams are hand-drawn, and any mathematical equations or working be handwritten and scanned into the PowerPoint slides. A selection of demonstration questions will be made available on the Moodle for students to complete. Attempting these questions will assist students to highlight their individual abilities. A high involvement in the project works, tutorial classes, revising worked examples, and team management contributions will help with solving the demonstration questions.
- Supporting MATLAB, Simulink, and Excel Spreadsheet files
In the portfolio presentation submission, include any files you created during solving the demonstration questions. The files should have appropriate file names and be named in your portfolio presentation submission. Compress the files into a single 'zip' archive and submit the zip file along with the written portfolio document.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI PLANNING
You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Review/Exam Week Friday (17 Oct 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Feedback will be provided on Certification of Grades date.
The portfolio presentation will assess your: contributions to the team projects, increase in knowledge, effective management of yourself, communication, and documentation of technical work.
The award of grade will depend on the student’s demonstrated individual achievement of the learning outcomes of the unit, the student’s involvement in problem solving of the team projects and the holistic development of each student. A detailed Portfolio Presentation marking rubric will be available on the Moodle unit site.
- Justify the role of engineering assumptions in building mathematical models of mechanical systems
- Identify and evaluate engineering uncertainty and the limitations of mathematical models
- Create professional documentation using mechanical systems terminology, symbols and diagrams.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
