41058 Dynamic Systems and Control A

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 41056 Machines and Mechanisms A OR 48640 Machine Dynamics
Anti-requisite(s): 48660 Dynamics and Control

Description

Vibration and noise control play a significant role in the behaviour, performance, design, life expectancy, user experience, and even failure, of mechanical and structural systems. Mechanical and mechatronic engineers design machines, with complex dynamic behaviour, which must be controlled for the reasons given and for meeting the appropriate design standards. In this subject, students model the behaviour of simplified linear (or approximately linear) dynamic systems that are typically encountered in the practice of mechanical and mechatronic engineering, to gain an understanding of how such systems can be engineered, or have their dynamics controlled, to achieve desired outcomes. The concepts and tools discussed in this subject can be used in a wide spectrum of engineering disciplines such as mechanical, mechatronics, manufacturing, and biomedical engineering.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

1.	Model, measure, and analyse simple dynamic physical systems to determine their performance characteristics. (D.1)
2.	Design closed-loop feedback control systems to meet specific performance, stability, robustness criteria, and standards. (C.1, D.1)
3.	Interrogate results from theory, simulation and experimental to verify their accuracy and application to problems in vibration and control. (D.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

• Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
• Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:

• 1.2. Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
• 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
• 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
• 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject consists of three main teaching blocks and two minor projects. Each block will be completed over a period of approximately three weeks with formative quizzes completed to allow students to confirm competency. Each block will comprise of (1) online learning materials, (2) weekly face-to-face tutorials with interactive feedback, (3) weekly forums, and (4) possible lab classes. Students are expected to undertake active learning prior to, during and after weekly events.

Students are expected to complete online learning materials related to modelling, analysis, and control of vibration and/or acoustic systems to facilitate in-class activities for tutorials and forums. This will include a number of individual and group activities on theoretical, experimental and computational analysis where students will be expected to actively contribute to group activities.

Formative Quizzes will be used throughout the learning blocks to help students monitor their performance and to provide feedback on progress and understanding of content.

An individual Competency Exam will be undertaken at the completion of the three main teaching blocks to demonstrate each student’s understanding of the course content. Students will have to demonstrate competency of the subject before they can progress to the subsequent projects.

Two minor projects will be undertaken in small, mixed cohort groups (typically 2-4 students per group, ideally with representation from across more than a single programme) where the team of students will actively collaborate to contribute to the theoretical, computational and experimental investigation of dynamic systems and control related problems. Students will be able to obtain feedback from tutors and peers through formal and informal discussions on project progress during weeks 10 – StuVac2. The projects will ultimately be assessed through the combination of a professional oral presentation and a written technical report which will include self and peer assessment.

Content (topics)

Key topics covered include:

• dynamic systems modelling and responses
• basic properties of classical feedback control
• and control system implementation using tools such as root-locus and PID control

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Formative Quizzes

Intent:	Students will take weekly Formative Quizzes to practice retention of knowledge to understand concepts in the past week and unlock online learning materials for the next week.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1
Type:	Quiz/test
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark
Length:	30 minutes per week

Assessment task 2: Mastery Exam

Intent:	The Mastery Exam is the primary assessment for this subject. Students will take this exam to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject content and to allow them to progress to the subsequent assessment tasks.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): D.1
Type:	Quiz/test
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark
Length:	2 hours

Assessment task 3: Mini Projects

Intent:	3.1: Vibration modelling and analysis (mechanical focus) This Mini Project will require students to test a simple mechanical system to characterise its vibration behaviour and compare and contrast this with the results from a simple vibration model. 3.2: Classical control (mechatronic focus) This Mini Project will require students to evaluate a simple dynamic system to characterise its behaviour and subsequently implement a closed-loop control algorithm.
Objective(s):	This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1
Type:	Report
Groupwork:	Group, individually assessed
Weight:	Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark
Length:	6 weeks

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject a student must achieve an overall mark of 80% in the Mastery Exam and perform satisfactorily in a viva voce examination.

Recommended texts

Hibbeler, R. C.. Engineering mechanics: dynamics. Pearson.

Rao, S. S., & Griffin, P.. Mechanical vibrations. Pearson.

G. F. Franklin et al., Feedback control of dynamic systems. Pearson.

R. C. Dorf and R. H. Bishop, Modern control systems. Pearson

MATLAB and SIMULINK documentation and self-guided learning materials