Mechanical Engineering Simulation and Design (MESD)
Overview
Mechanical Engineering Simulation and Design (MESD) focuses on the modern engineering process of designing, analysing, simulating, and optimizing mechanical products and systems.
A central concept of MESD is Virtual Product Development. Instead of relying exclusively on physical prototypes, engineers create detailed digital models using three-dimensional Computer-Aided Design (3D CAD) and analyse their behaviour in virtual environments through advanced engineering simulation.
A virtual prototype can be subjected to mechanical loads, vibration, fluid flow, temperature changes, contact, deformation, and other physical conditions before the actual product is manufactured. This approach enables engineers to explore more design alternatives, identify potential problems earlier, reduce development time and cost, improve product performance, and support innovation.
MESD therefore develops engineers who understand not only how to operate engineering software, but more importantly how to formulate engineering problems, select appropriate modelling approaches, define correct boundary conditions, interpret simulation results, validate computational models, and use the results to make engineering design decisions.
Mechanical and Industrial Product Design
Advanced Modelling and Simulation
A major emphasis of MESD is the development of advanced modelling and simulation capabilities.
Students are exposed to methods used to analyse complex engineering systems involving solid mechanics, structural mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, structural dynamics, and multiphysics phenomena.
The program places particular emphasis on Finite Element Methods (FEM) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). These numerical techniques allow engineers to predict how structures, mechanical components, thermal systems, and fluid systems will behave under different operating conditions.
MESD is specifically designed to meet industrial demand for engineers capable of handling complex multibody and multiphysics engineering problems while balancing computational efficiency and solution accuracy.
Computer-Aided Engineering and Digital Engineering Tools
Computer-Aided Engineering and Digital Engineering Tools
The MESD curriculum incorporates extensive use of modern Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) tools.
Current course materials include training in parametric 3D CAD modelling, assembly modelling, finite element modelling, numerical programming, computational techniques, and engineering simulation.
For example, the Computer-Aided Engineering Tools courses include applications involving CREO, ABAQUS, ANSYS, and ANSYS FLUENT. Students learn techniques ranging from basic parametric geometry and structural analysis to advanced surface modelling, reverse engineering, modal analysis, contact modelling, topology optimization, and computational fluid dynamics.
The curriculum also reflects the increasingly digital nature of engineering. Recent course material includes programming in C/C++, numerical methods, Python, introductory machine learning, deep learning, and tools such as Scikit-learn and PyTorch. This provides students with a foundation for integrating conventional engineering simulation with computational and data-driven approaches.
Mechanical and Industrial Product Design
Mechanical and Industrial Product Design
MESD does not treat simulation as an isolated activity. Simulation is integrated into the broader process of engineering product development and design.
Students study design methodologies and learn how engineering requirements can be transformed into viable products. Topics extend from machine design and structural design to industrial design, design for manufacturing, material selection, lightweight structures, ergonomics, anthropometrics, and user-centred product development.
The Industrial Design Engineering component, for example, addresses the development of consumer goods and vehicles, including embodiment design, structural design, road vehicle structures, manufacturing-oriented design, human-body-centred design, vehicle packaging, industrial design methodology, vehicle styling, product language, market segmentation, and user experience design.
This broader perspective helps students understand that successful engineering products must satisfy not only structural and functional requirements, but also manufacturability, cost, ergonomics, safety, usability, and market requirements.
Representative MESD Subjects
Representative MESD Subjects
The current MAE course structure contains subjects supporting advanced mechanical engineering and virtual product development, including Finite Element Methods, Computer-Aided Engineering Tools I and II, Machine Design Process, Fluid Mechanics for Simulation and Design, Thermodynamics for Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Heat Transfer, Research Fundamentals in Mechanical and Structure Engineering, and Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering Simulation and Design.
Through these subjects, students develop the ability to connect fundamental engineering science with advanced computational techniques and practical product development.
Simulation Validation and Experimental Engineering
Simulation Validation and Experimental Engineering
An important principle of MESD is that simulation results should not simply be accepted because they come from sophisticated software.
Engineers must understand the assumptions behind a model and determine whether the results accurately represent physical behaviour.
For this reason, physical experiments, engineering measurements, and model validation are incorporated into the educational and research activities of the program. Students may compare computational results against experimental measurements and refine models accordingly.
During internships and thesis projects, students may work with TGGS laboratories, industrial companies, research institutions, or international partners, allowing them to connect virtual engineering with real physical systems.
MESD Research and Laboratory Environment
MESD Research and Laboratory Environment
The MESD specialization is supported by several research and laboratory facilities at TGGS, including the Solid Mechanics Laboratory, CFD Research Laboratory, Structure and Dynamics Laboratory, Design and Innovation Laboratory, and Thermal Science and Energy Engineering Laboratory.
Within the Solid Mechanics Laboratory, activities also cover areas such as strength of materials, material processing and characterization, material treatment, and contact mechanics and surface engineering.
These facilities support research in areas such as computational mechanics, structural behaviour, fluid dynamics, thermal engineering, mechanical design, materials behaviour, vibration, product development, and multidisciplinary engineering simulation.
MESD Graduate Profile and Career Direction
MESD Graduate Profile and Career Direction
MESD graduates are prepared to participate in the development of sophisticated engineering products and systems across a wide range of industries.
Their capabilities are particularly relevant to careers in CAE engineering, mechanical design, product development, simulation engineering, finite element analysis, CFD engineering, structural analysis, thermal engineering, research and development, design optimization, digital product development, and engineering research.
Because the methods taught in MESD are applicable across different engineering sectors, graduates are not restricted to the automotive industry. Their knowledge can also be applied to machinery, transportation systems, energy systems, aerospace-related engineering, industrial equipment, consumer products, advanced manufacturing, and research organizations.
The overall objective is to develop engineers capable of taking technical and organizational responsibility for the development of engineering products and systems using scientifically rigorous and modern digital engineering methods.
