MECH ENG 3100 - Aeronautical Engineering

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

Aircraft types, Historical Overview of Aeronautical Engineering, Atmosphere Properties, Coordinate Systems, Aircraft Geometries, Forces and Moments, Introduction to Low Mach Number Aerodynamics, Requirements for Flight Segments, Stability and Control, Thrust, Aircraft Loads, Bending of Beams, Shear of Beams, Torsion of Beams, Open and Closed Section Beams, Structural Idealization, Wing Spars and Box Beams, Fuselages, Wings, Fuselage Frames and Wing Ribs, Helicopter Aerodynamics,Vertical and Short takeoff and Landing Aircraft.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MECH ENG 3100
    Course Aeronautical Engineering
    Coordinating Unit School of Mechanical Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Incompatible MECH ENG 3101, MECH ENG 4108
    Assumed Knowledge MECH ENG 2021, MECH ENG 2002
    Restrictions BE(Mechanical & Aerospace) and associated double degree students only
    Course Description Aircraft types, Historical Overview of Aeronautical Engineering, Atmosphere Properties,
    Coordinate Systems, Aircraft Geometries, Forces and Moments, Introduction to Low Mach Number Aerodynamics, Requirements for Flight Segments, Stability and Control, Thrust, Aircraft Loads, Bending of Beams, Shear of Beams, Torsion of Beams, Open and Closed Section Beams, Structural Idealization, Wing Spars and Box Beams, Fuselages, Wings, Fuselage Frames and Wing Ribs, Helicopter Aerodynamics,Vertical and Short takeoff and Landing Aircraft.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Maziar Arjomandi

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 To equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand and analyse the design and performance of modern aircraft.
    2 To enable students to develop soundly-based vehicle design and flight systems.
    3 To develop in students an understanding of aircraft systems such as engines, V/STOL technology, control systems.
    4 To introduce the students to basic theories in Aeronautical Engineering, such as propeller momentum theory, vortex line theory etc.
    5 To reinforce the acquired knowledge in structural analysis through the application of the fundamental knowledge in aerospace structures.
    6 To apply problem based learning principles in the tutorials
    7 To develop a deeper understanding for the area of Aeronautical Engineering.
    8 To ensure students are familiar with current best practice in the area of Aeronautical Engineering.
    9 To appreciate environmental issues associated with the area of Aeronautics, such as energy conservation, pollution etc.
    10 To develop problem solving skills i.e. identify main issues in aeronautical problems, simplify the problem and solve it using standard tools.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-10
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-10
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-10
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1-10
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-10
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-10
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1-10
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 9-10
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    • Course notes – these are essential and required.
    • Introduction to aeronautics: a design perspective; Steven Brandt
    • Aircraft structures for engineering students; T Megson
    Recommended Resources
    • Aircraft performance and design; John Anderson
    • Introduction to flight; John Anderson
    • Aircraft flight; R Barnard
    • Aerodynamics, aeronautics and flight mechanics; B McCormick
    • An introduction to general aeronautics; C Van Deventer
    • Aeroplane design, vol I-VIII; John Roskam
    • Aircraft design: a conceptual approach; Daniel Raymer
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Lectures supported by problem-solving tutorials developing material covered in lectures

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    As per university recommendation, it is expected that students spend 48hrs/week during teaching periods, and that a 3 unit course has a minimum workload of 156 hours regardless of the length of the course. Additional time may need to be spent acquiring assumed knowledge, working on assessment during non-teaching periods, and preparing for and attending examinations.

    Learning Activities Summary

    1. Introduction (5%)

    1.1 Historical Overview
    1.2 Nomenclature
    1.3 Aircraft Parts
    1.4 Atmosphere
    1.5 Coordinate Systems
    1.6 Aircraft Geometry

    2. Flight Mechanics and Aircraft Performance (25%)

    2.1 Forces and Moments, Free Body Diagram
    2.2 Aircraft Equation of Motion
    2.3 Takeoff Roll and Takeoff Distance
    2.4 Climb, Rate of Climb and Ceiling
    2.5 Cruise: Breguet Equation
    2.6 Descent and Glide
    2.7 Landing Distance
    2.8 Energy Equation and Flight Envelope

    3. Stability and Control (10%)

    3.1 Static and Dynamic Stability
    3.2 Longitudinal Stability and Static Margin
    3.3 Lateral Stability
    3.4 Directional Stability
    3.5 Aircraft Controllability and Control Surfaces

    4. Low Mach Number Aerodynamics (10%)

    4.1 Lift and Drag Generation
    4.2 Lift Curve
    4.3 Boundary Layer Theories
    4.4 Aircraft Drag Components
    4.5 Aircraft Lift Distribution
    4.6 Drag Polar

    5. Thrust (10%)

    5.1 Aerospace Propulsion Types
    5.2 Piston Engines
    5.3 Propellers
    5.4 Jet Engines
    5.5 Introduction to the Velocity Triangles

    6. Aerospace Structures (30%)

    6.1 Aircraft Loads
    6.2 Design of the beams
    6.3 Structural analysis of the closed and open section structures
    6.3 Structural idealization
    6.4 Design considerations of the wing and fuselage
    6.5 Introduction into the analysis of the laminated composite structures

    7. V/STOL Flight Vehicles (10%)

    7.1 History of Helicopter V/STOL Flight Vehicles
    7.2 Helicopter Flight Principles
    7.3 Momentum Theory
    7.4 V/STOL Aircraft
    Specific Course Requirements

    NONE

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    All assessment tasks are summative. There are 7 assignments, all together worth 10% of the assessment, one laboratory report worth 10% of the assessment and an open book exam worth 80%. All assignments are due by 4pm on the due date. Details of each task are tabulated below.

    Assessment task Weighting % Description Due date Learning objectives
    (See 2.1 above)
    Assignment 1 1.5 Atmosphere properties


    Ref.to
    Lecture
    Notes
    1-5
    Assignment 2 1 Forces and moments 1-5
    Assignment 3 1.5 Flight performance 1-5
    Assignment 4 1 Stability and control 1-5
    Assignment 5 1 Engine - Aircraft loads 1-5
    Assignment 6 1.5 Aircraft structure
    Assignment 7 1.5 Aircraft structure
    Laboratory report 10 Structural Analysis Laboratory Ref. to
    Lab Manual
    Final Exam 80 Exam on all parts of the course Exam period 1-10
    Assessment Related Requirements

    NONE

    Assessment Detail

    All the assignments are problem type questions. The solutions to the assignments will be reviewed and marked by the course tutor/s according to the marking rubric. The solutions will be available to the students on MyUni after the submission date.

    Submission

    The hard copy of all assignments and laboratory report must be submitted in the labelled box on level 2, Engineering South Building. Any assignments submitted as a hard copy must be accompanied by an assessment cover sheet available from front office S116 or near assignment submission area. Late assignments will be penalised 10% per day. Extensions for all assignments will only be given in exceptional circumstances and a case for this with supporting documentation can be made in writing after a lecture or via email to the lecturer who set the assignment. Hard copy assignments will be assessed and returned in 2 weeks of the due date. There will be no opportunities for re-submission of work of unacceptable standard. Due to the large size of the class feedback on assignments will be limited to in-class discussion resulting from questions from students.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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