MECH ENG 3100 - Aeronautical Engineering

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2019

Aircraft types, Historical Overview of Aeronautical Engineering, Atmosphere Properties, Coordinate Systems, Aircraft Geometries, Forces and Moments, Introduction to Low Mach Number Aerodynamics, Flight Performance, Stability and Control, Thrust, Aircraft Loads, Helicopter Aerodynamics, Vertical and Short takeoff and Landing Aircraft, Airframe Design.

  • 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
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    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, Flight Performance, Stability and Control, Thrust, Aircraft Loads, Helicopter Aerodynamics, Vertical and Short takeoff and Landing Aircraft, Airframe Design.
    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
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Analyse the design and performance of modern aircraft;
    2 Explain air vehicle design and flight systems;
    3 Explain aircraft systems such as engines, V/STOL technology, control systems;
    4 Explain fundamental theories in Aeronautical Engineering, such as propeller momentum theory etc;
    5 Discuss aircraft stability and control;
    6 Apply problem based learning principles in the tutorial;
    7 Explain aircraft performance;
    8 Discuss current best practice in the area of Aeronautical Engineering;
    9 Explain environmental issues associated with the area of Aeronautics, such as energy conservation, pollution etc; and
    10 Demonstrate problem solving skills i.e. identify main issues in aeronautical problems, simplify the problem and solve it using standard tools.

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
    The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1   1.2   1.3   1.4   1.5   1.6   2.1   2.2   2.3   2.4   3.2   3.4   

    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-10
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1-7,10
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Demonstrate the skills needed to understand and analyse the design and performance of a
    modern aircraft;
    2 Explain soundly-based vehicle design and flight systems;
    3 Explain an aircrafts systems such as engines, V/STOL technology, control systems;
    4 Discuss basic theories in Aeronautical Engineering, such as propeller momentum theory, vortex line theory etc;
    5 Describe structural analysis through the application of the fundamental knowledge in aerospace structures;
    6 Apply problem based learning principles in the tutorial;
    7 Define and describe Aeronautical Engineering;
    8 Recognise best practice in the area of Aeronautical Engineering;
    9 Explain environmental issues associated with the area of Aeronautics, such as energy conservation, pollution etc; and
    10 Use problem solving skills i.e. identify main issues in aeronautical problems, simplify the problem and solve it using standard tools.

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer.
    The course is designed to develop the following Elements of Competency: 1.1   1.2   1.3   1.4   1.5   1.6   2.1   2.2   2.3   2.4   3.1   3.2   3.3   3.4   3.5   3.6   

    Recommended Resources
    • Introduction to aeronautics: a design perspective; Steven Brandt
    • Aircraft structures for engineering students; T Megson
    • 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 (20%)

    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. Airframe Structural Design (10%)

    6.1 Airframe Structural Design (Wing)
    6.2 Airframe Structural Design (Fuselage)
    6.3 Airframe Structural Design (Engine Mounts and Control Surfaces)

    7. V/STOL Flight Vehicles (20%)

    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
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes
    Laboratory (Structural Analysis Laboratory) 10 Individual Summative Weeks 2-12 attendance 1. 2. 5. 7. 8. 10.
    Laboratory (Flight Simulator Laboratory) 10 Individual Summative Weeks 2-12 attendance 1. 2. 3. 7. 8. 10.
    Assignments 20 Individual Summative Weeks 2-12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
    Exam 60 Individual Summative Final Exam 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown is registered as an exemption to the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy. The exemption is related to the Procedures clause(s): 1. b. 2.   
     
    This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.
    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
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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