This course introduces the concepts in the design and analysis of aircraft structures.  A practical insight into the techniques used to analyse large scale structures with emphasis on the terminology used in this industry is presented.

2 lectures per week

None

None

80% Written Exam

20% Report

The aims of this course are to:

■ explain typical terminology associated with aircraft structures;

■ provide practical insight into the assessment of structural behaviour using combinations of analytical, experimental and numerical techniques;

■ develop experimental skills for validation of predicted behaviour of structural members under load;

■ develop an appreciation for the design and sizing of aircraft structural configurations subject to various load combinations.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ discuss and compare aerospace structural design configurations using the appropriate terminology, informed by a review of technical literature;

■ calculate the stress distribution in aircraft components with the aid of experimental tests, collected during a laboratory exercise, and present the results in a technical group report;

■ validate test results using computer aided analysis;

■ design and size structural components under a complex loading system using data sheets and computer aided analysis, taking into account stress concentration calculations based on industrial codes;

■ apply complex load analysis to mental alloy materials as well as composite materials, for example, carbon fibre materials, and select an appropriate manufacturing process to meet the structural requirements.

Students must attend the degree examination and submit at least 75% by weight of the other components of the course's summative assessment.

Students must attend the timetabled laboratory classes.