Design of Floating Terminals as Integrated Project for Multi-machine Systems

Abstract

Design of floating terminals requires integrated approach as it requires multi-machine systems. Master students in mechanical engineering from Multi-machine engineering track at TU Delft were assigned design of floating terminals as part of their Integration Project course. Each of seven student groups designed a specific piece of port equipment that was later integrated in the floating terminal design. This required different design approaches: a detailed one for the equipment design (structure and functionality), and conceptual one for the floating terminal (overall layout and operational strategy). This encouraged the students to develop skills needed in real working environment, managing the design process and decision making within their own group and discussing setup, basic designs and dimensions together with the other groups. Owning their design throughout the entire process was in particularly important to the students, as they wanted other groups to use their equipment design. For the terminal design they needed to make a case for the feasibility of the floating terminal, including logistics simulations and cost. This paper shows the benefits of integrated design project course, the methods used for its implementation, as well as addressing current challenges of online group design work and supervision. Being part of European Horizon 2020 project motivated the students even more to contribute to an overall bigger objective.