5 ECTS credits
140 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4016322ENR for all students in the 1st semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Partnership Agreement
Under interuniversity agreement for degree program
Faculty
Faculty of Engineering
Department
Applied Mechanics
External partners
Université Libre de Bruxelles
Educational team
Patrick GUILLAUME (course titular)
Steve VANLANDUIT
André PREUMONT
Activities and contact hours

36 contact hours Lecture
24 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

Part I - Mechanical Vibrations

This course is dedicated to structural dynamics and vibration analysis : 1 degree of freedom oscillator, multi-degrees of freedom systems, mode shapes, continuous structures, rotating machines, critical speed, vibration isolation, dynamic vibration absorber, vibration testing, modal analysis, vibration data analysis, condition monitoring of machinery.

On a systematic way the measurement chain is analysed : transducer, amplifier, filters, and measuring device (e.g. FFT-analyser).  Starting from basic measuring techniques, more sophisticated analysis techniques such as spectrum and orbital analysis are discussed as well as shock pulse techniques and cepstrum analysis.  The use of vibration analysis in predictive maintenance strategy is not forgotten.  More and more humans are subjected to vibrations and this not only during labour time but also in his private life. Therefore the effects of vibration on human beings are studied. Finally, the advantages of advanced vibrational tests and modal analysis are illustrated.





Part II - Acoustics

The purpose of this course is to give the students a good theoretical basis in acoustics so that they will be able to control noise problems.  First of all, the wave nature of sound waves and related parameters such as frequency, wave length and sound velocity are studied.  The dB scale is then introduced and the currently used sound pressure level scales such as Leq, statistical sound levels, SEL are defined.  Then a detailed study of the human ear is performed, which leads to the definition of phone and sone and the introduction of the A-filters.  Also other acoustical parameters, such as sound intensity and sound power are defined. The methodology of correct noise measurements is then discussed introducing microphone, pistonphone, octave band filters and measuring devices. As noise reduction is important, the principle and use of acoustical absorption and isolation are discussed. Then the impact of noise on the environment is analysed using an emission-transmission-immission model.  The noise legislation for protecting industrial workers and community is also discussed.  Finally room acoustics are studied in details.

The valid fiche for ULB can be found at the following link : MECA-H411. Change the language to English in the dropdown menu on top of the page.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : 'Mechanical Vibrations'
Handbook (Recommended) : 'Acoustics for Engineers', Turner, P.J., Pretlove, A.J., Mc Millan, 1991
Handbook (Recommended) : 'Handbook of Human Vibration', Griffin, M.S, Academic Press, 1990
Handbook (Recommended) : 'Mechanical Vibrations', Rao, S.S., Addison Wesley, 1995
Digital course material (Required) : All slides are available on PointCarre
Digital course material (Required) : 'Acoustics'
Additional info

For additional information, please contact Prof. Patrick Guillaume (office ZW.104; phone 02-629-3566; e-mail patrick.guillaume@vub.ac.be). 'Mechanical Vibrations', a pdf of the course notes is available.
'Acoustics', a pdf of the course notes is available.

All slides are available on PointCarre.

Complementary study material:
Rao, S.S. 'Mechanical Vibrations', Addison Wesley, 1995
Griffin, M.S. 'Handbook of Human Vibration', Academic Press, 1990.
Turner, P.J., Pretlove, A.J. 'Acoustics for Engineers'; Mc Millan, 1991.

At the end of each chapter, a lot of useful references are given, which are available in the library of the department.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge-oriented competences

Having in-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering.

Knowledge-oriented competences

Having in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced methods and theories to schematize and model complex problems or processes.

Scientific competences

Can reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity).

Scientific competences

Can correctly report on research or design results in the form of a technical report or in the form of a scientific paper.

Scientific competences

Can present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience.

Scientific competences

Can collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 35% of the final mark.
Written Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
PRAC Report determines 15% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • oral exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 35% of the final mark.

    Note: Oral examination VUB: Part Vibrations of Prof. P. Guillaume (50%) and Part Acoustics of Prof. S. Vanlanduit (50%)
    Two major questions are asked. Student can prepare these questions, without course, during 60 minutes. During the oral examination, additional questions are asked to verify the understanding of the student.

Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • written exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: Written examination ULB: Part Vibrations of Prof. André Preumont (theory and exercises)

Within the PRAC Report category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • reports of exercises with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 15% of the final mark.

    Note: Reports of the practical exercises VUB

Additional info regarding evaluation

Written examination: 50% (Theory and exercises Vibrations (Part A. Preumont))

Oral examination: 35% (Theory Vibrations 50% (Part P. Guillaume) and Acoustics 50% (Part S. Vanlanduit))

Two major questions are asked. Student can prepare these questions, without course, during 60 minutes. During the oral examination, additional questions are asked to verify the understanding of the student.

Reports of the practical exercises: 15%

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Science in Electromechanical Engineering: Aeronautics
Master of Science in Electromechanical Engineering: Mechatronics-Construction
Master of Science in Electromechanical Engineering: Vehicle Technology and Transport