At Brunel University all students undertake a final year project. Mine concerned fracture mechanics. An external load applied on the surface of a body could cause a crack to initiate, or could cause growth of a pre-existing crack. This has important engineering consequences for the durability of buildings and lifespan of machines. My main aim was to solve a nonlinear Abel type integral equation arising from a non-traditional model of crack propagation under creep loading conditions in a viscoelastic brittle material…
Doing the project undoubtedly improved my mathematical and programming skills. Moreover, it showed me how mathematics can be applied to real life and important situations. It wasn’t easy, but help from my supervisor was there when I asked for it. I got a real buzz doing the project, especially when it won a prize! The findings were presented at the IMSE International Conference 2010 and I was nominated for the SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) Award. What’s more, I have been accepted to do a PhD in a similar field next year and I am looking forward to this somewhat daunting challenge – doing the project has given me the confidence to take my mathematics further. So yes, if you get the chance and aren’t afraid of hard work, do a final year project!...
At Brunel University all students undertake a final year project. Mine concerned fracture mechanics. An external load applied on the surface of a body could cause a crack to initiate, or could cause growth of a pre-existing crack. This has important engineering consequences for the durability of buildings and lifespan of machines. My main aim was to solve a nonlinear Abel type integral equation arising from a non-traditional model of crack propagation under creep loading conditions in a viscoelastic brittle material…
Doing the project undoubtedly improved my mathematical and programming skills. Moreover, it showed me how mathematics can be applied to real life and important situations. It wasn’t easy, but help from my supervisor was there when I asked for it. I got a real buzz doing the project, especially when it won a prize! The findings were presented at the IMSE International Conference 2010 and I was nominated for the SET (Science, Engineering and Technology) Award. What’s more, I have been accepted to do a PhD in a similar field next year and I am looking forward to this somewhat daunting challenge – doing the project has given me the confidence to take my mathematics further. So yes, if you get the chance and aren’t afraid of hard work, do a final year project!...
