Aeronautical Engineering (in partnership with Tianjin University) BEng/MEng
Aircraft Structural Mechanics 3 ENG3081
- Academic Session: 2024-25
- School: School of Engineering
- Credits: 10
- Level: Level 3 (SCQF level 9)
- Typically Offered: Semester 1
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
Short Description
This course provides an introduction to various analytical techniques involved in aircraft structural mechanics analysis, especially for different airframe components. In particular the following topic are covered:
■ analytical methods for structural mechanics (i.e., evaluation of bending moments and deflections) of indeterminate frame structures obtained in various airframe components (wings, fuselage, etc.);
■ aircraft component structural analysis in presence of various realistic aerodynamic and inertial loads;
■ calculation of geometric properties in complex section members;
■ assessment of bending and torsional stresses in complex sections;
■ concepts of shear flow and shear centre;
■ load distributions within single and multi-cell boxes;
■ introduction to concepts of optimisation (i.e. minimise structural weight/materials) and their relevance for new sustainable airframes.
Timetable
2 lectures per week
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
60% Final written exam
15% Design and optimisation project report
25% Online assessment of Teaching Block 1 (Moodle Quiz)
Main Assessment In: December
Course Aims
The aims of this course are to:
■ provide familiarity with important analytical methods for aircraft structural analysis;
■ provide familiarity with correct application of analytical aircraft structural component analysis in presence of realistic loads;
■ help students to develop analytical skills and understanding of structural mechanics in airframe components;
■ introduce students to concepts of aircraft structural optimisation and their relevance for sustainable aviation;
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Evaluate shear force and bending moment (response of airframe structures to external loading) diagrams for various continuous airframe structures;
■ Select and implement appropriate techniques of structural analysis of airframe components in present of realistic loads;
■ Evaluate section properties for non-symmetric structural members;
■ Evaluate the loading distribution within single or multi-cell boxes and assess possibility of structural failure;
■ Justify aircraft structural component preliminary design and optimisation choices for sustainable aviation
Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits
Students must attend the degree examination.
Students should attend at least 75% of the timetabled classes of the course.
Students must complete the set exercise
Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates. Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.