Aerospace Structures

Learning Outcomes

Partial CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• The case studies (assessed via a concise consultancy style report) related to aircraft and spacecraft structures require an assessment of the design and analysis of the structural health and failure that can occur in service and the associated risks with continued operation and/or maintenance of the components
• The case studies (assessed via a concise consultancy style report) related to aircraft and spacecraft structures require a design recommendation to be developed for a non-technical layperson to understand
• The case studies (assessed via a concise consultancy style report) related to aircraft and spacecraft structures require a design recommendation to be developed that considers customer needs, safety and some commercial issues, thus partly fulfilling this learning objective
• Materials property variations linked to manufacturing issues and the link to quality assurance in specifying materials performance is included in the course content and assessments
• Problem-solving tutorials in materials and structures prepare the students for the final assessment problems based on the domain knowledge and understanding learned in the course
• The laboratory classes include experimental measurements, testing and analysis associated with deformation and failure analysis of the structures. The outcome will be assessed through submitted experimental reports.
• Materials and structures engineering knowledge and concepts are regularly assessed in the weekly coursework quizzes and integrated in the case study discussions (which feature some research outcomes from the lecturers’ research, applying this knowledge to case studies also then forms part of the final assessment)
• The structures laboratory-based coursework includes comparison of numerical and experimental calculations in the analysis of structural elements which would develop students’ physical understanding on the mechanical behaviour of different structures
• Materials selection discussion and in-service monitoring techniques form an integral part of the course content and assessments

Introduction to the uniqueness of aerospace structural components and loads [1 lecture] 1.Unique structural characters for aerospace structures 2.Brief overview of different loadings 3.Analysis and design philosophies specific to aircraft and spacecraft structures Bending analysis of beams and frames with complex cross-section [4 lectures] 1.Statically determinate and indeterminate structures 2.Symmetrical and unsymmetrical bending of beams with complex cross-sections of aerospace interest Advanced topics on shear [3 lectures] 1.Shear forces on thin-walled structures 2.Analysis of single and multiple cells cross-section under shear load 3.Shear center, Shear center of different thin-walled cross-sections Torsion of beams with complex cross-section [4 lectures] 1.Torsion of thin-walled structures – why important for aerospace applications 2.Torsion of non-circular cross-section (open and closed sections) 3.Torsion analysis using membrane analogy 4.Torsion of thin-walled structures with single and multiple cells Energy methods for structural analysis [4 lectures] 1.Advantages of energy methods in aerospace structural analysis 2.Strain energy and complementary energy 3.Governing principles for energy methods 4.Application to deflection analysis of beams 5.Unit load method Theories of plates [5 lectures] 1.Introduction of plates and shells 2.Pure bending of thin plates 3.Plates subjected to distributed transverse loads 4.Plates under combined bending and in-plane loading Advanced topics in buckling [3 lectures] 1.Buckling of columns and struts 2.Stability of beams under transverse and axial loads 3.Flexural-torsional buckling of thin-walled columns 4.Introduction to buckling of plates Mechanics of composite materials [6 lectures] 1.Concepts of isotropy, orthotropy and anisotropy in materials 2.Introduction of laminated composites 3.Composite plate analysis (classical laminate theory) 4.Strength and failure of composites Failure and fatigue analysis [4 lectures] 1.Structural failure modes in brittle and ductile materials 2.Failure theories and criteria 3.Concepts of designing against fatigue (Palmgren – Miner theory) 4.Fatigue strength of structural components Structural health monitoring and NDT&E [2 lectures] 1.Concepts of structural health monitoring 2.Introduction to NDT&E technologies 3.Non-invasive imaging techniques for inspecting aerospace metals and composites 4.Testing and evaluation in manufacturing, assembly and in-service components 5.Automation and digitalization of structural inspection

Teaching methods include: 1.Lectures on the topics covering the syllabus along with numerical example sheets as a part of the course material. 2.Problem classes and case study workshops. 3.Laboratory sessions on relevant topics to support the theoretical understanding. Learning activities include: Individual work on examples in the course material, attendance at laboratory classes, tutorials and associated coursework completion

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.