Module overview
This is an aerospace design synthesis module. The aircraft operations, aerodynamics, mechanics of flight, mechanics of solids and propulsion modules of Part I and II having equipped the students with the building blocks of aerospace engineering science, this module places them into the context of aircraft design in the ‘real world’, as represented by regulatory, performance and cost constraints. The module takes an applied, computational approach, introducing the students to key concepts through hands-on examples.
Linked modules
Pre-requisites: FEEG2005 and SESA2025
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The aircraft design engineering process, as constrained by regulatory and certification requirements
- Systematic design methodologies
- The place of analytical and numerical simulation techniques in the aircraft development process
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply computational analysis and modelling in the aircraft design process
- Critically analyse alternative aircraft design configurations and design choices
- Identify information requirements and critically appraise sources of data and analysis for aircraft design and evaluation
- Apply fundamental engineering analysis knowledge as part of an aircraft design process
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Collate and synthesise/prioritise information according to design objectives
- Use legacy design data in a discerning way
Syllabus
Aircraft design as an optimization problem: objectives and constraints. Typical constraints and objective functions in aircraft design. Formulation of the design problem.
Stages of the design process: conceptual, preliminary, detailed. Design decision making along the design process. Typical tools and methods at each stage.
Airworthiness. The need for certification. Organisations in the UK and abroad. Documents (standards) and certification categories.
Mission modelling from take-off to landing.
Constraint analysis. Classical thrust to weight and wing loading space analysis in a computational optimisation framework.
Parametric geometry modelling. Parameterization principles.
Computer Aided Design in aircraft engineering. Setting up the parametric CAD model of an aircraft, from 2d sketches to 3d whole aircraft models.
Value-driven design, cost modelling, systems engineering aspects Basic life cycle cost analysis. A systems-level view of aircraft design.
Design rationale capture. The role of design rationale capture in the design process. Documenting and using design rationale.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures
Supervised laboratory exercises
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 21 |
| Wider reading or practice | 30 |
| Completion of assessment task | 40 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 9 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 10 |
| Revision | 40 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Solidworks CAD software.
Python codes for aircraft conceptual design.
Internet Resources
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Via coursework and exam.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External