HKIE Professional Assessment - Mechanical Discipline study plan

Derive and apply the first and second laws to open systems (nozzles, turbines, compressors, heat exchangers), and solve at least 12 steady-flow energy problems without reference notes.

Compute thermodynamic property changes for ideal gases and vapours using tables and the Clausius-Clapeyron relation, and state the assumptions behind each simplification.

Solve Rankine, Brayton and vapour-compression cycle problems to find thermal efficiency and COP, identifying where irreversibility enters each cycle.

Build a one-page formula and sign-convention sheet for thermodynamics that you will reuse in later weeks.

Apply continuity, Bernoulli and the energy equation to pipe and duct networks, including losses from friction, fittings and minor losses, and verify units dimensionally.

Calculate Reynolds number and select laminar or turbulent friction factors, then compare Darcy-Weisbach against Hazen-Williams results for a water main case.

Determine drag and lift on immersed bodies and estimate pump or fan duty from system curves and affinity laws.

Analyse statically determinate and indeterminate beams and frames for shear force, bending moment and deflection, checking results by superposition or virtual work.

Apply stress and strain transformations, Mohr's circle, and yield criteria (Tresca and von Mises) to combined loading of shafts and pressure vessels.

Assess fatigue life using S-N curves, mean-stress correction and stress concentration factors, and justify a chosen design factor.

Model single and multi-degree-of-freedom vibration, compute natural frequency and damping ratio, and interpret resonance and transmissibility for a machine support.

Solve rigid-body dynamics problems involving rotation, impulse-momentum and energy methods for mechanisms.

Select materials for a pressure-retaining and a wear-resistant component using Ashby-style property charts, and justify each choice against corrosion, temperature and cost constraints.

Size common machine elements (bolted joint, key, bearing, belt or chain drive) using standard design procedures and state the governing failure mode.

Produce a component specification with tolerances, surface finish, fits and material condition that a supplier could quote against.

Apply limit-and-fit notation and tolerance stack-up to a small assembly, showing worst-case and statistical outcomes.

Sequence a fabrication and installation programme for a mechanical plant item, listing hold points, inspection stages and factory/site acceptance test criteria.

Draft a commissioning plan with pre-start checks, no-load and load tests, performance verification and handover documentation.

Build a preventive maintenance schedule from failure-mode reasoning, distinguishing condition-based from time-based tasks.

Construct a simple cost estimate and cash-flow profile, and explain how contract type (lump sum, remeasurement, design-and-build) shifts risk.

Write a QA/ITP extract that links each inspection to a documented acceptance criterion.

Size a simple air-conditioning system: calculate cooling load components, select airflow, and determine duct and pipe sizes with appropriate diversity assumptions.

Check a plumbing and drainage design against statutory requirements for trap protection, ventilation pipes and discharge capacity.

Identify the applicable fire services requirements for a mechanical installation, including compartmentation interfaces, smoke control and equipment rating.

Map each design decision in a worked example to its governing Hong Kong ordinance, regulation or code of practice, and note where approval or submission is required.

Propose energy-efficiency measures and quantify the expected saving against a baseline.

Complete a risk assessment for a high-hazard mechanical activity using a recognised hierarchy of control, and rank risks before and after mitigation.

Investigate a constructed incident scenario: establish the timeline, separate immediate and root causes, and recommend corrective actions with owners.

Identify the statutory duties triggered by the scenario, including notification, reporting and worker consultation obligations.

Evaluate environmental aspects such as noise, emissions, waste and refrigerant handling, and specify monitoring or abatement measures.

Resolve two ethics scenarios using a structured framework, identifying conflicts between commercial pressure, public safety and statutory duty, and stating what you would do and to whom you would escalate.

Assess a design decision against sustainability criteria including whole-life carbon, energy use and end-of-life recovery, and propose an improved option.

Prepare a stakeholder communication plan for a project change, covering the affected parties, message, channel and escalation route.

Complete two timed mock papers under exam conditions and convert errors into a prioritised revision list for the final days.