Lec 3

ENG011
Fundamentals Of Engineering
ByLaw 2018 Prepared by
Freshmen Level Dr. M ElBanna
Spring 2021 Dr. M Mokhtar
Lecture 3
The Engineering Approach to
Problem Solving
Presented by
The Nature
of
Engineering Design
The Nature of Engineering Design
• Engineering work often involves planning and analysis in
the initial stages, but the essence of engineering problem
solving is the design process.
• Engineering design has become more varied and

challenging, requiring a greater degree of specialization as
well as a need for teamwork.
• Several engineers contribute specialized knowledge and

provide organizational competence to the solution of a
problem
4
The
Engineering Design
Method
Engineering Design Method
• A number of engineering writers have set steps or
phases that comprise the “engineering design method.”
Typically, the list includes
1. Identification of the problem.
2. Gathering needed information.
3. Searching for creative solutions.
6
Engineering Design Method
4. Stepping from ideation to preliminary designs
(including modeling).
5. Evaluation and selection of preferred solution.
6. Preparation of reports, plans, and specifications.
7. Implementation of the design.
7
1. Identification of the problem
• It’s a very important stage
in the design as incorrect
or improper definition of
the problem will cause the
engineer to waste time and may lead to a solution that

is inappropriate or incorrect.
8
Pearson states: “A problem properly defined is a
problem partially solved. To state the problem
correctly is a major step toward its solution.”
1. In this phase, care should be taken not to prejudice the

solution by incorrectly defining the problem.
2. The problem should be defined in objective terms.
3. Finally, the problem should not be unnecessarily
constrained.
9
 Example (Contrast these problem identifications)
 Design an energy attenuation system that will control

the energy of a crash of a 2500-pound car traveling 60
miles per hour at impact. The device should not be
longer than 10 feet and should cost no more than
$10,000 per unit. The deceleration should not exceed 6
gs (193 ft/s2).
10
 Design an energy attenuation
system that will control the
energy of a car traveling at a
fast speed at impact.
 The device should be short

and inexpensive to build.
 The deceleration should not

be harmful to the driver.
11
2. Gathering needed information
• The type of information needed will depend on the
nature of the problem to be solved.
• This phase involves gathering and evaluating

information that is already available. Subsequently, it
may be necessary to supplement this information by
making additional measurements.
• Engineers typically search literatures to determine

what others have learned about related problems.
12
3. Searching for creative solutions
• The development of new ideas, products, or devices
may result from creativity, or from innovation.
• There are several operational techniques that may be

used to help a group or individual to produce original
ideas. (Brainstorming – Checklists - Attribute Listing -
Forced Relationship Technique - Morphological Analysis)
13
A. Brainstorming
• Brainstorming usually done in the
form of a session which consists
of 6 to 12 people and its preferred
to have members with different
backgrounds.
• In session, which usually less than
hour, all the ideas are
encouraged, including those that
appear to be completely
impractical.
14
B. Checklists
• The checklist encourages

the user to examine
various points, areas, and
design possibilities.
15
C. Attribute Listing
1. All the major attributes of a product, object, or idea
are isolated and listed.
2. For each attribute, ideas are listed as to how each of

the attributes could be changed.
3. Every idea is listed, no matter how unrealistic or

impractical.
16
4. Each of the various ideas is evaluated, bringing to light
possible improvements that can be made in the design
of the product or system.
 Example
 attribute listing in developing a

dial telephone
17
Attribute Ideas
Color Could be any color
Could be transparent
Could utilize designs such as plaid
Could have a personalized design
Material Could be metal
Could be glass
Could be wood
Could be hard rubber
Dial Could be 10-push-button design
Could be a lever system
Could use abacus-type system
Could be push buttons arranged in a line
Handset Make it square
and base Make it round
Use higher base
Use lower base
Eliminate handset by using microphone and speaker
18
 Example
 attribute listing in developing an Impact Attenuator
19
10 Min. Activity
• Suppose that you wished to improve the design of
classroom. Prepare an attribute list showing how each
of the attributes might be improved.
20
d. Forced Relationship Technique
• Techniques force a relationship between two or more
normally unrelated ideas or products to begin the idea-
generating process.
Steps used in Forced Relationship Technique
1. Selecting the fixed element, that being the product or

device that is to be designed.
2. Chose other element randomly.
21
3. Force a relationship between the fixed element and the
randomly chosen element.
• Suppose that we are interested

in designing a weed-cutting
device. we choose arbitrarily
an automobile wheel as the
other element.
22
 Ideas that might occur based

upon the characteristics of the
automobile wheel include ??
 (A round weed cutter - A

rubber weed cutter- A weed
cutter that rolls - A weed
cutter that has brakes, ….)
23
e. Morphological Analysis
1. Define the problem in terms of its dimensions or
parameters
2. Devise a model that enables one to visualize every

possible solution.
 For a solution with only two parameters, the model

takes the form of a large square divided into a group of
smaller squares.
24
 For problems with more than two parameters, the
model becomes a matrix with each parameter assigned
to one axis of a rectangular array.
• Design of a weed-cutting device, suppose that we wish

to examine three attributes or variables: the type of
power supply, the type of blade motion, and the type of
material.
25
Power electric engine, gasoline engine, water pressure
Blade action rotary, reciprocating
Material steel, aluminum, plastic
An illustration of the morphological technique.

26
4. Stepping from ideation to
preliminary designs
• It’s the phase in which unworkable ideas are discarded,
and promising ideas are molded and modified to form
workable plans and designs.
• Engineers rely on models in making preliminary plans.
• The most common engineering models are Analytical

or mathematical models, Simulation models, and
Physical models.
27
5. Evaluation and selection of
preferred solution
• Feedback, modification, and evaluation may occur
repetitively as the device or system evolves from concept
to final design.
• Depending on the nature of the problem to be solved,

evaluation may be based on any number of factors
(safety, cost, reliability, and consumer acceptability, ….)
• These factors generally involve ranking on a scale based

upon some predetermined criteria.
28
preferred solution
 Suppose that a city considering a new mass transit
system has established.
29
preferred solution
 The following criteria were selected to provide a
measure of each objective:
1. Benefit-cost ratio.
2. Number of persons relocated.
3. Load factor on transit vehicles in peak hour.
4. Accessibility index of core areas.
30
preferred solution
Illustration (Cont.)
• A panel of citizens and engineers then established the following
ratios of relative importance for these objectives: 40 percent, 20
percent, 20 percent, and 20 percent. They then evaluated these
objectives for each of three alternate projects
Possible Effectiveness Plan A Plan B Plan C
Evaluation Matrix
Score % Score Score Score
1. Benefit-cost ratio 40 35 25 30
2. Persons relocated 20 10 20 5
3. Transit load factor 20 10 20 7
4. Core accessibility 20 5 10 14
Total effectiveness score 100 60 75 56
31
6. Preparation of reports, plans, and
specifications
• After the preferred design has been selected, it must be
communicated to those who must approve it, support
it, and translate it into reality.
• This communication may take the form of an

engineering report or a set of plans and specifications.
• Engineering reports are usually directed to a client or

to a supervisor.
32
7. Implementation of the design
• The final phase of the design process is implementation
the process of producing or constructing a physical
device, product, or system.
• Engineers must plan and oversee the production of the

devices or products and supervise the construction of
the engineered projects.
33
Thanks for your Attention
Any Questions

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ENG011

• Engineering design has become more varied and

• Several engineers contribute specialized knowledge and

1. Identification of the problem.

2. Gathering needed information.

3. Searching for creative solutions.

4. Stepping from ideation to preliminary designs

5. Evaluation and selection of preferred solution.

6. Preparation of reports, plans, and specifications.

7. Implementation of the design.

• It’s a very important stage

in the design as incorrect

the problem will cause the

engineer to waste time and may lead to a solution that

1. In this phase, care should be taken not to prejudice the

 Design an energy attenuation system that will control

 The device should be short

 The deceleration should not

• This phase involves gathering and evaluating

• Engineers typically search literatures to determine

• There are several operational techniques that may be

• The checklist encourages

2. For each attribute, ideas are listed as to how each of

3. Every idea is listed, no matter how unrealistic or

 attribute listing in developing a

 attribute listing in developing an Impact Attenuator

Steps used in Forced Relationship Technique

1. Selecting the fixed element, that being the product or

2. Chose other element randomly.

• Suppose that we are interested

 Ideas that might occur based

 (A round weed cutter - A

2. Devise a model that enables one to visualize every

 For a solution with only two parameters, the model

• Design of a weed-cutting device, suppose that we wish

An illustration of the morphological technique.

• Engineers rely on models in making preliminary plans.

• The most common engineering models are Analytical

• Depending on the nature of the problem to be solved,

• These factors generally involve ranking on a scale based

2. Number of persons relocated.

3. Load factor on transit vehicles in peak hour.

4. Accessibility index of core areas.

• This communication may take the form of an

• Engineering reports are usually directed to a client or

• Engineers must plan and oversee the production of the

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