University of Lincoln Assessment Framework

Assessment Briefing Template 2019-2020

Module Code & Title: EGR9022M Applied Finite Element Analysis, Coursework 2
Contribution to Final Module Mark: 60%
Description of Assessment Task and Purpose:

Part A – Sleipner A incident

Sleipner East is a gas field in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. In August 1991, a concrete
gravity base structure (GBS) which was to support an offshore platform (Sleipner A) in the gas
field sprang a leak and sank during preparation/construction. An investigation into the cause of
the accident identified poorly executed finite element analysis as the predominant contributing
factor.

Research, present and comment upon the suitability of the following aspects of the finite element
analysis which formed the basis of the GBS design:
• Pre-processing (e.g. geometry, boundary conditions, loading etc.)
• Solution (e.g. numerical accuracy)
• Post-processing and interpretation of results

Present your findings using the following headings: Background, Pre-processing, Solution, Post-
processing, Summary.

Part B – Fast food sign restoration

A famous fast food restaurant chain has reacquired one of its earliest operating restaurant sites
in California, which had since become a donut stall. While the restaurant building is in good
condition and ready for refitting, the signage at the entrance to the restaurant car park has been
deemed to be at the end of its serviceable life and is to be demolished. The restaurant chain has
commissioned you to design a loose replica of the existing signage, with the goal of restoring it
to its late 1960’s state as shown in Figure 1, including the addition of neon lighting.
 Figure 1

The current sign has a height of 5.2 m from the brick base. The brick base itself has a width of
6.75 m. There are no restrictions on regarding materials used or methods of manufacture.

Without conducting the finite element analysis, outline the approach and analysis steps you
would take to deliver this project:
• Pre-processing (i.e. what is your proposed design and how would the proposed finite
element model be set-up?)
• Post-processing (i.e. what results would you present and use as the basis of you
recommendations?)

Present your proposal using the following headings: Problem definition, Proposed design, Pre-
processing, Post-processing and summary.

Things to consider as part of your proposal: Material selection, feasibility of manufacture,

computational efficiency, structural integrity, environmental conditions.

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

LO1 Apply the fundamental concepts and methods of FEA in structural, dynamic and heat
transfer problems.
LO2 Use the governing principles and numerical algorithms to solve well-posed discretisation
problems.
LO3 Select appropriate discretisation methods, and apply a systematic analysis to solve an
engineering problem.
LO4 Obtain a cost-effective and approximate solution to an industrial problem and understand
the capabilities and limitations of the FE method.
LO5 Locate and use an appropriate analytical or theoretical solution to validate the results of an
FEA simulation.
LO6 Present and report on the findings of a modelling investigation of an engineering problem,
and justify the method used.
Knowledge & Skills Assessed:
Subject Specific Knowledge, Skills and Understanding, Professional Graduate Skills.
Assessment Submission Instructions:
You are required to submit your assessment before 4pm on Monday 27th April 2020 using the
online assessment submission facility on the Module Blackboard site. You are reminded to pay
careful attention to instructions provided at the time of submission.
Date for Return of Feedback: 18/05/20
Format for Assessment:
Your submission should take the form of an individual report, clearly split into Part’s A & B and
using the headings provided in the description above. There is a 14-page limit for your report.
References should be included where appropriate.
Marking Criteria for Assessment:
The assessment is weighted as follows: Part A (50%) and Part B (50%).

Part A
Marks will be allocated for the following: Sufficient detail regarding the background/context of the
incident, accurate details regarding the finite element analysis undertaken, critical analysis of the
shortcomings of the finite element simulations used in the GBS design, including any errors in
interpretation of the results.

Part B
Marks will be allocated for the following: suitability of techniques and approach proposed to
solve the problem (geometry, boundary conditions, analysis type etc.), consideration of
computational efficiency of the proposed model and detail regarding post processing which will
be used to support any recommendations made.
Please note that all work is assessed according to the University of Lincoln Management of
Assessment Policy and that marks awarded are provisional on Examination Board decisions
(which take place at the end of the Academic Year.
Feedback Format:
Feedback will be provided via the online assessment submission facility on the Module
Blackboard site.
Additional Information for Completion of Assessment:
N/A.
Assessment Support Information:
N/A.
Important Information on Dishonesty & Plagiarism:
University of Lincoln Regulations define plagiarism as 'the passing off of another person's
thoughts, ideas, writings or images as one's own...Examples of plagiarism include the
unacknowledged use of another person's material whether in original or summary form.
Plagiarism also includes the copying of another student's work'.
Plagiarism is a serious offence and is treated by the University as a form of academic
dishonesty. Students are directed to the University Regulations for details of the procedures and
penalties involved.

For further information, see www.plagiarism.org