Level 3 Diploma in Design, Engineer, Construct! The Digital Built Environment (RQF) TQUK

This subject is broken down into 30 topics in 3 modules:

  1. Understanding the Digital Built Environment 10 topics
  2. Fundamentals of Engineering Design 10 topics
  3. Constructing for the Future 10 topics
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This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Diploma in Design, Engineer, Construct! The Digital Built Environment (RQF)

Understanding the Digital Built Environment

Concepts and Importance of Digital Built Environment

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Concepts and Importance of Digital Built Environment

Concepts of Digital Built Environment

  • The digital built environment refers to digital technologies and practices employed for the design, construction, and management of built environment projects. This could involve elements such as 3D modelling, computer-aided design (CAD), building information modelling (BIM), artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins.

  • 3D Modelling is the process of creating a mathematical representation of a 3-dimensional object or shape. It's widely used in the digital built environment for architectural visualization.

  • Computer-Aided Design (CAD) refers to the use of computers to create, modify, analyse or optimise design. CAD software significantly increases productivity, improves the quality of design, enhances communications through documentation, and creates a database for manufacturing.

  • Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process that involves the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of built environments. BIM can be used to make informed decisions throughout the construction process.

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the digital built environment can automate routine tasks, analyse large amounts of data quickly, improve accuracy, and support decision-making processes.

  • A digital twin is a digital copy of a physical asset, system, or process that can be used for various purposes such as performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and simulations.

Importance of Digital Built Environment

  • Enhanced productivity. Digital technologies allow for automated, efficient processes in design, construction and maintenance which can save significant time and resources.

  • Improved accuracy and reliability. By digitalising processes and using tools such as BIM, the potential for human error in plans, measurements and other factors is significantly reduced.

  • Sustainability. Digital built environment utilises resources more efficiently, reducing waste and facilitating better environmental stewardship in the built environment sector.

  • Decision-making support. Complex data can be more easily visualised and understood, enabling more informed and effective decisions related to design, construction, and management.

  • Risk reduction. With the use of AI and digital twins, potential issues can be spotted and addressed in the design phase, reducing the risk associated with construction and operation.

  • Enhanced collaboration. Digital built environment facilitates improved communication and collaboration across professionals in different locations, bringing together architects, engineers, constructors and others in a coherent and efficient work system.

Course material for Diploma in Design, Engineer, Construct! The Digital Built Environment (RQF), module Understanding the Digital Built Environment, topic Concepts and Importance of Digital Built Environment

Diploma in Design, Engineer, Construct! The Digital Built Environment (RQF)

Fundamentals of Engineering Design

Thermodynamics in Engineering Design

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Thermodynamics in Engineering Design

Understanding Thermodynamics

  • Grasp of the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics: This law allows us to use temperature as a tool for measuring thermal equilibrium. If two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
  • Knowledge of the First Law of Thermodynamics: Understanding that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.
  • Proficiency in the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Acknowledging that total entropy, a measure of the randomness or disorder of a system, can never decrease over time for an isolated system.
  • Awareness of the Third Law of Thermodynamics: Realisation that the entropy of a system approaches a constant value as its temperature approaches absolute zero.

Thermodynamic Systems in Engineering

  • Familiarity with Closed, Open, and Isolated Systems: Recalling that closed systems can exchange energy (but not mass) with their surroundings, while open systems can exchange both energy and mass, and isolated systems neither.
  • Comprehending different Processes like Isochoric, Isobaric, Isotropic and Adiabatic processes and their impact on different system conditions.
  • Grasping Heat Engines, Refrigerators, and Heat Pumps: Understanding how these devices that convert energy between heat and work operate.
  • Understanding the Carnot Cycle: Recognising the theoretical maximum efficiency any heat engine can achieve while operating between two thermal reservoirs at different temperatures.

Thermodynamics in Engineering Design

  • Significance of Entropy Generation and Energy Dissipation: Exploring the impacts of entropy generation (i.e., energy dissipation) on the performance of engineered systems.
  • Significance of Efficiency and Performance : Understanding the effects of thermodynamic efficiency and performance margins in engineering design, in terms of both energy resources and economic factors.
  • Mastery of Thermodynamic Analysis: Being able to anticipate and interpret the effects of changing conditions on the performance of thermodynamic systems.

Environmental Considerations in Thermodynamics

  • Understanding the effects of Energy Conversion on Environment: Comprehending the consequences of releasing heat into the environment from energy conversion systems.
  • Realisation of Sustainable Energy Practices: Understanding and appreciating the need for sustainable practices in the use of energy resources.
  • Application of Heat Recovery and Waste Minimisation Principles: Incorporating energy recovery and waste minimisation in thermodynamics-based design principles due to their environmental significance.

Safety Considerations in Thermodynamics

  • Awareness of Safety Standards in Thermodynamics: Understanding the standards and regulations in place for safety in thermodynamics-based designs.
  • Emphasis on Risk Assessment: Evaluating potential hazards associated with thermodynamic systems and taking steps to mitigate them.
  • Knowing First Aid Procedures for Thermodynamics Accidents: Understanding what to do in the event of a thermal burn or related incident.

Course material for Diploma in Design, Engineer, Construct! The Digital Built Environment (RQF), module Fundamentals of Engineering Design, topic Thermodynamics in Engineering Design

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