AME 30341: Aerospace Structures

CATALOG DATA:
Study of basic principles and methods for structural analysis oflightweight structures with emphasis on aerospace applications.  Introduction to load analysis of aircraft, materials, fatigue, stress/deformation analysis of thin-walled structures and aeroelasticity.

Prerequisites: AME 20241, AME 20222

TEXTBOOK:
Megson, THG, Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students, Arnold/John Whiley and Sons, 3rd Edition, 1999.

COURSE OBJECTIVES :
To give an overall introduction to the area of aerospace and light-weight structures, highlighting the multiple disciplines that influence structural form, the influence of aircraft maneuvers on structural loads, important mechanics principles applicable to thin-walled structures, calculation of basic structural response parameters and simple laboratory techniques for measuring structural response.

TOPICS COVERED:

  1. Historical perspective of the development of aerospace structures
  2. Nomenclature of major structural parts of various types of aircraft
  3. Properties of typical aerospace materials
  4. Load analysis of aircraft in simple maneuvers
  5. V-n diagrams including the effect of gust loads
  6. Basic fatigue considerations in structural analysis and design
  7. Basic aeroelasticity; divergence and flutter
  8. Thin-walled pressure vessels
  9. Bending of thin-walled beams of open and closed cross section
  10. Torsion of open and closed cross section, thin-walled bars
  11. Shear center of open and closed cross section, thin-walled bars
  12. Basic instrumentation and measurement in experimental structural analysis
  13. Case studies in aircraft structural design and performance
  14. Examinations (2)

SCHEDULE:
The class meets for 50 minutes three times a week or 75 minutes twice a week. Laboratory exercises are conducted at other times.

CONTRIBUTION TO PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT :
The class concentrates mostly on engineering science (90%). Open-ended assignment contribute about 10% toward engineering design.

CONTRIBUTION TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ASSESMENT:

Outcome criterion

Topic

Student’s previous knowledge

Direct measures of outcome

(h)

Familiarity with case studies in aircraft design and their consequences.

None

Homework assignments and exams.

(a)

Calculate loads induced by flight maneuvers and gusts.

Newton’s Laws

Homework assignments and exams

(a)

Calculate basic structural response of thin-walled beams under bending and torsion.

Statics and basic mechanics of materials

Homework assignments and exams

(b)

Install and use strain gages to make deformation measurements in lightweight structures

None

Laboratory report and exams

Prepared by: Edmundo Corona, May 26, 2006

 

Direct comments, questions, and corrections to amedept@nd.edu