Pearson BTEC Level 5 Unit 37 Virtual Engineering Assignment Brief 2026

BTEC Unit 37 Assignment Brief

Introduction

The work of an engineer increasingly involves the use of powerful software modelling tools (virtual modelling). These tools allow us to predict potential manufacturing difficulties, suggest how a product or component is likely to behave in service, and undertake rapid and low cost design iteration and optimisation, to reduce costs, pre-empt failure and enhance performance.

This unit introduces students to the application of relevant Computer Aided Design (CAD) and analysis engineering tools in contemporary engineering. They will learn about standards, regulations and legal compliance within the context of engineering.

Topics included in this unit are: dimensioning and tolerances, standardisation and regulatory compliance (BS, ASTM, ISO, etc.), material properties and selection, manufacturing processes, 2D, 3D, CAD, solid modelling, one-dimensional and multi-dimensional problems, meshing and boundary conditions, and the finite volume method.

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to consider how to perform computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, develop finite element product and system models, explain the identification of faults in the application of simulation techniques and discuss the modelling method and data accuracy.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit students will be able to:

• Explore the capabilities and limitations of computer-based models in meeting design fundamentals and their use in solving problems in engineering.
• Analyse finite element product and system models in order to find and solve potential structural or performance issues.
• Perform CFD simulations to evaluate pressure and velocity distributions within an engineering setting.
• Determine faults in the application of simulation techniques to evaluate the modelling method and data accuracy.

Essential Content

LO1 Explore the capabilities and limitations of computer-based models in meeting design fundamentals and their use in solving problems in engineering

Engineering design fundamentals:

Dimensioning and tolerances.

Standardisation and regulatory compliance (BS, ASTM, ISO, etc.).

How to manufacture and what to manufacture:

Material properties and selection.

Manufacturing processes: capability, cost issues and selection.

Design tools:

2D and 3D CAD.

Solid modelling.

File types, export and compatibility.

Interpretation and presentation of results through a series of guided exercises:

Results obtained, comparison of data, benefits and limitations.

Generalisation of provided information, recommendations on current and future applications.

LO2 Analyse finite element product and system models in order to find and solve potential structural or performance issues

Finite element formulation:

One-dimensional problems.

Multi-dimensional problems.

Beams.

Finite element method:

Define the problem: simplify an engineering problem into a problem that can be solved using FEA.

Define material properties and boundary conditions; choose appropriate functions, formulate equations, solve equations, visualise and explain the results.

LO3 Perform CFD simulations to evaluate pressure and velocity distributions within an engineering setting

Fundamentals of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics):

CFD and the finite volume method background.

Meshing and boundary conditions.

Applications, advantages and limitations of CFD.

CFD simulation and analysis:

Apply CFD to simple design/aerodynamics problems: define the problem, provide initial boundary conditions for the problem, set-up a physical model, define material properties and operating conditions.

Interpretation of CFD results.

Examine the solution using graphical and numerical tools; suggest and make revision of the models.

LO4 Determine faults in the application of simulation techniques to evaluate the modelling method and data accuracy

Simulation results:

Extracting relevant information from simulation-based exercises.

Interpretation and presentation of results through a series of guided exercises.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Textbooks

DATE, A.W. (2005) Introduction to Computational Fluid Dynamics. Cambridge University Press.

FISH, J. and BELYTSCHKO, T. (2007) A First Course in Finite Elements. Wiley.

TREVOR, H. and BECKER, A.A. (2013) Finite Element Analysis for Engineers. A Primer, National Agency for Finite Element Methods & Standards.

Electronic

International Journal of Computational Fluid Dynamics:

www.tandfonline.com/toc/gcfd20/current

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal:

www.inderscience.com/jhome.php?jcode=pcfd

International Journal of CFD Case Studies: 

www.nafems.org/publications/browse_buy/browse_by_topic/cfd/cfdj10/

Links

This unit links to the following related units:

Unit 1: Engineering Design

Unit 50: Advanced Manufacturing Technology