brigde build report | Custom PHD Thesis

This coursework assignment is for students taking the Data Analysis and Design module in 2015/16. For this assignment you will be submitting a report based on the two projects completed during Semester 1. This is an individual assignment and you must submit an individual report based on your own results, analysis and research. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all work should be completed by you personally, with all sources referenced.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this assignment you will demonstrate that you can:

Perform a range of standard quantitative methods to analyse data and solve problems

Report results & answers with appropriate units, precision & format

Use appropriate sampling techniques and experimental methods to collect data in fieldwork and laboratory practicals.

Design a simple spreadsheet to record, analyse and present data

Apply numeracy and graphicacy skills to develop and evaluate a solution to a design problem.

Submission

This assignment is to be submitted via the coursework hub. You will need to collate copies of drawings, calculations and associated commentary to form a single bound document. It is always advisable to keep a copy of the full submission. This will be helpful to you for reference whilst we are marking your work and provide a record of the submission in case of any query. A coversheet for your work should be available to download from your MyUWE page.

You will need to hand this in to the Coursework Hub in A block during their opening hours as the drop boxes are designed for A4 submissions. This can be done between 09:00 and 17:00 Monday to Thursday, 09:00-16:30 Friday during term time. Alternatively, you can post the work, making sure you obtain a proof of postage showing both time and date. Any submission in the 24 hour window, even by a matter of seconds, will lead to your mark being capped at 40% so please aim to get your work submitted in the morning if not by the day before the deadline!

You can find further information about submission arrangements at http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessments/faqs.aspx.

Report Contents

The report is made up of two parts.

Part A: Bridge Truss Design and Build Exercise

A reflection on the design and build of the bridge, explaining how precedent, context and experiment have informed the design and assessing the performance of a model bridge.

This report should be written in the past passive tense i.e. “what was done” rather than “what we did” or “what you should do”. For example, if you are asked to “Collect a brick from the bucket” (what you should do), you should report this as “A brick was collected from the bucket” (what was done) and not as “I collected a brick from the bucket” (what we did). As this is a technical report, it is acceptable to use bullet points and tables. This is useful if you are struggling to avoid repeating words such as “measure” or are starting each sentence with “then”. Using a list or table can often help to illustrate a pattern in what you are doing so can actually be better than using an essay style throughout. Diagrams and graphs should also be included to explain procedure and analysis. Remember to cross-reference tables, figures and appendices to guide the reader through the document.

The write-up should include an introduction explaining what you were trying to do and why. It will also include the aims of the task, how you carried out the task and the results. It is also important to include a conclusion.

The main sections of the report will include:

Design options – Research results (loadings, structural form, material properties, etc)

Selected option with reasons.

Detailed design including construction drawings.

Part B: Survive Exercise

In this part you are asked to present a recommendation to the University on one measure that it can take to increase it’s resilience in the event of a major incident.

You recommendation needs to presented clearly with your thinking behind it, this might include:

What the measure is

Why it is needed – what happens if the measure is not adopted

When it would be required – timescales

How it would work – perhaps how might it fail! Where it would be located – or where it would impact

Who would be responsible for it – who would benefit

In the class discussions we looked at a range of questions such as:

how many people were likely to be on the campus?

how much food/water would they need per day to survive?

how much food is available?

how much energy is required to keep this population warm?

etc

These questions and many more need answers. You task is to come back with some answers and solutions to recommend to the university. For example, you might write a short report on how to provide accommodation. In your report you would provide your calculations/research that supports your proposal. You could explain with estimates what you would do, what options you have explored, why you think your solution would work, how it would be implemented, etc.

Word Limit

There is a 2000 Word limit. The suggested breakdown between Bridge Design and Survival Game would be around 60:40 to 70:30.

When things go not to plan

There has been a significant amount of group work done in this module – this has been very challenging for some groups as well as individuals who for a number of reasons have not been able to really engage with the module. So if things have not gone to plan for you and you have missed many sessions there is still an opportunity for you to submit some coursework. Obviously, those who have attended, have contributed and completed the design and build exercises then these students are at a significant advantage.

The module objectives are clearly stated above (see Learning Outcomes section) and if you want to pass the coursework then you need to make a submission that at least gives evidence that supports you having met or partially met these outcomes.

It is suggested that for Part A (Bridge Exercise) you write up a short report on what you would do if asked to design a model bridge. So what material tests you would do and why, also how you would know that your bridge would be strong enough to carry a load of 5kg or 50 Newtons.

For Part B you can complete this without having to be part of a group so should be able to write something for this.