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

Requirements of Entry

None

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, according to relevant engineering codes;

■ 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, considering passenger safety, accessibility and risk mitigation. 

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.