Diploma in MIRCE Mechanics

Course Content

The Programme consists of 4 semesters. Each semester consists of one five-day residential intensive learning session (40 contact hours), followed by approximately 160 hours of self-learning at home based on the material and instructions provided. Each student is required to complete a set of assignments in each part. It provides a unique opportunity for students to test their understanding of the principles of MIRCE Mechanics studied in that part of the Programme.

The time required to complete the whole Programme varies between students, but normally is completed in two years.

Semester 1: Experimental MIRCE Mechanics

The main objective of this part of the Programme is to introduce students to the philosophy, concept and principles of MIRCE Mechanics. In that aim, the initial studies are focused on observing and measuring the trajectory of the functionability through:

• Positive Functionability States, PFS, in which system is able of being functional (successful delivery of function, performance and attributes)
• Negative Functionability States, NFS, in which system in not able of being functional (failure to deliver function, performance or attributes)

Existing experimental and observational data clearly demonstrate that the motion of functionability through the life of each single system exhibits discrete and time dependent trajectory. Thus, a large number of similar systems, obtained under similar circumstances, deliver a large number of different discrete and time dependent trajectories. Consequently, the only way to determine the pattern of the functionability trajectory of a system is to apply statistical methods to obtain experimental or observational data to calculate the average trajectory across all systems considered.

As statistical methods do not study the causes of statistical behaviour, the main objectives of this part of the Programme are focused on the scientific analysis of the functionability processes that lead to the occurence of the:

• Negative Functionability Events, NFE, that cause the motion of the system from PFS to NFS, such as: thermal ageing, actinic degradation, fatigue, pitting, acid reaction, bird strike, lost concentration, hot spot creation, warping, abrasive wear, suncups formation on the blue ice runway, thermal buckling, photo-oxidation, production errors, strong wind, maintenance error, hail damage, lightening strike, hard landing, quality problems, sand storm and so forth;
• Positive Functionability Events, PFE, that cause the motion of the system from NFS to PFS, such as: servicing, lubrication, visual inspection, repair, replacement, final repair, examination, partial restoration, trouble shooting, modification, refurbishment, health monitoring, restoration, diagnostics and similar.

Human created and managed systems like power stations, oil platforms, aircraft, trains, cars, satellites, transportation, communication and distribution networks, military equipment and similar systems are the subject of study of the Experimental MIRCE Mechanics.

Semester 2: Theoretical MIRCE Mechanics

The main objective of this part of the Programme is to introduce philosophy and concept of the theoretical MIRCE Mechanics, which scientifically defines laws and formulas for the prediction of the motion of system functionability through time. As Experimental MIRCE Mechanics has clearly demonstrated that the past pattern of a system functionability trajectory could only be defined through statistical methods, then future pattern can only be predicted through probabilistic methods. Consequently, the full development of the MIRCE Mechanics Formula for a probabilistic prediction of the system functionability trajectory through time is presented here. Scientifically, it is the law that represents a continuous motion of system functionability through time, resulting from the physical occurrences of functionability events. Mathematically, it is a relationship that probabilistically describes the time dependent occurrence of positive and negative functionability events whose solution numerically determines the expected trajectory of system functionability through time.

Obtaining numerical solutions for the MIRCE Mechanics Formula represents a great challenge, as multi dimensional convolution integrals for even a single component system can be too complicated to be solved analytically. However, mathematical difficulties of integration could be overcome by using the Monte Carlo Method which facilitates the evaluation of the statistical averages of the probabilistic processes presented by the MIRCE Mechanics Formula. Further benefit of the use of the Monte Carlo Method is related to the exponential expansion of calculation time with increase of number of dependent components in the system considered. These two problems, the mathematical difficulties of integration and the “dimensional curse” considerably limit analytical methods to handle systems realistically. It necessary to stress that these types of problems are not specifically related to MIRCE Mechanics; they are common to all scientific disciplines of this nature, as it is a known mathematical fact that the integral equations do not have analytical solutions.

Semester 3: Applied MIRCE Mechanics

The main objective of this part of the Programme is focused on the application of MIRCE Mechanics to:

• System Engineering Process, as it is essential for system designers to be able to predict functionability trajectory of their future system, from the moment when the initial concepts and ideas are generated to the moment when the last details are finalised. Thus, for a given structure of a system and failure management rule, it is possible to calculate whether the functionability requirements will be delivered, with resources planned and constraints expected, through the life of a system. This means that for each of feasible options of a system structure (components selection, modules, redundancies, etc.), manufacturing options, operational scenarios, maintenance policies and support strategies, a corresponding functionability trajectory can be calculated by making use of MIRCE Mechanics Formula, which enables accurate predictions of system reliability, cost and effectiveness, at the time when modifications are possible at minimum additional time and cost.
• System Management Process, as it is essential for operation, maintenance and logistics managers to be able to predict functionability trajectories of the systems under their management, for the next quarter, year, decade or even century. Thus, for each of feasible management options, related to the system operational scenarios (2 or 3 shifts), maintenance policies (corrective, preventive, condition based, group replacement,) and support strategies, (level of support, spares provisioning, training scheme, means of transport, etc,) a corresponding functionability trajectory can be calculated by making use of MIRCE Mechanics Formula, which enables numerical prediction of system reliability, cost and effectiveness for each of feasible alternatives, and consequently the selection of the most compromising solution could be made, based on the given criteria.

Semester 4: Master Dissertation

For a successful completion of the programme students are required to complete a research based Master Dissertation. This provides them with an opportunity for extended their knowledge of Experimental, Theoretical, or Applied MIRCE Mechanics, related to the specific topic of their choice, with objective of making an individual contribution to the advancement of the science or an innovative science based application.

The final results are submitted in the form of a written Master Dissertation of the approximate length of 8000 to 10000 words.

The research and writing up is carried out away from the Akademy but with continuous communication with supervisor.

The science based knowledge and analytical skills acquired through this Programme remain with students throughout their lives and will not diminish with changes in industrial or government standards, company procedures or current industry best practices.

Final Award

The MIRCE Akademy, on the authority of the Council of Fellows, recognises the knowledge of the students by awarding them a Master Diploma in MIRCE Mechanics, and the title Master Fellow, MFMAk, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Akademy.

The level of intellectual demand and personal commitment required from students to acquire the necessary levels of knowledge in MIRCE Mechanics through the Programme is comparable to those required to obtain a Master Degree in the classical university’s educational structure.