MECH ENG 7067 - Aerospace Materials & Structures

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course teaches the fundamentals for the analysis of materials and structures in engineering with a specific focus on aircraft and space structures. The lectures are split into two parallel modules: Solid Mechanics and Materials and Structures. The Solid mechanics module covers general material relating to the analysis of stresses, strains, deformation, and strength in solid materials and simple components. Specific topics include stress and strain tensors, elasticity, plasticity, elementary solutions of theories of elasticity and plasticity, principles of minimum potential energy and finite element modelling. The second module, Materials and Structures in focused on the application of material and structural design to aerospace components and structures. Topics covered include composite materials and mechanics, unsymmetric sections and analysis of skinned structures.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MECH ENG 7067
    Course Aerospace Materials & Structures
    Coordinating Unit School of Mechanical Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Assumed Knowledge CHEM ENG 1009, MECH ENG 2002, MATHS 2202
    Assessment Assignments, quizzes, finite element labs, laboratory experiment, exam
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr John Codrington

    NameRoleBuilding/RoomEmail

    Dr John Codrington

    Course Co-ordinator Engineering South Building, S209  john.codrington@adelaide.edu.au
    A/Prof Andrei Kotousov Lecturer for Solid Mechanics Engineering South Building, S207 andrei.kotousov@adelaide.edu.au

    Mr Lloyd Fletcher

    Lecturers for Materials & Structures  lloyd.fletcher@adelaide.edu.au
    A/Prof Reza Ghomashchi Lecturers for Materials & Structures Engineering South Building, S120 reza.ghomashchi@adelaide.edu.au

    For matters relating to course material or assessment from a specific module, please contact the appropriate lecturer. For general course enquiries, please contact the course co-ordinator.

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    The primary aim of the course is to provide students with the basic skills and knowledge required to analyse displacement field, stress, strain and failure in deformable solids using analytical solutions and the Finite Element Method. The course develops an understanding of the mechanics of complex practical situations through the establishment and solution of appropriate boundary value problems. At the completion of the course, students should:

    1 Have a good understanding the theory, concepts, principles and governing equations of solid mechanics.
    2 Be gaining the physical intuition necessary to idealize a complicated practical problem.
    3 Possess the contemporary analytical, experimental and computational tools needed to solve the idealized problem.
    4 Have acquired the independent judgment required to interpret the results of these solutions.
    5 Be able to use these solutions to guide a corresponding design, manufacture, or failure analysis.
    6 Have an understanding of the selection, design and stress analysis of composite materials.
    7 Possess the ability to analysis the stresses in simple structures as used in the aerospace industry.
    8 Further develop interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication skills working on group assignments.
    9 Be able to learn independently new solutions, principles and methods, read and understand professional articles on the subject.
    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. 1-9
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-9
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-9
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1-9
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-9
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-9
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1-9
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Printed Lecture Notes from the Image & Copy Centre (or online via MyUni), and access to MyUni.

    Recommended Resources
    Recommended Reading for the Solid Mechanics module:
    • Ugural, A.C. and Fenster, S.K. Advanced Strength and Applied Elasticity, Pearson Education Inc. 1995.
    • Cook, R.D. and Young, W.C., Advanced Mechanics of Materials, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1999.
    • Bower, A.F., Advanced Mechanics of Solids at Brown University, US (web-based lecture notes).
    • Moaveni, S. Finite element analysis: theory and application with ANSYS, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2008.
    Recommended texts for the Materials & Structures module:
    • Megson, T.H.G., Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2007.
    • Chawla, K. K., Composite Materials-Science and Engineering, Springer, 2nd ed, 1998.
    • Curtis, H.D. Fundamentals of Aircraft Structural Analysis, McGraw-Hill, 2002.
    • Askeland, D.R. The Science and Engineering of Materials 3rd SI Edition, Chapman and Hall 1999.
    • Callister W.D., Materials Science and Engineering An Introduction, 7ed, Wiley, 2007.
    Online Learning

    All course material plus additional resources will be available through the MyUni system.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Lectures are supported by problem-solving tutorials developing material covered in lectures, FE tutorials and Lab classes.

    Workload

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

    The required time commitment is 52 hours attendance at lectures and tutorials, approximately 50 hours of revising course material and 40 hours completing assignments.

    Learning Activities Summary

    Module I. Solid Mechanics (A/Prof Andrei Kotousov)

    1. INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW (5%)
    1. Course organization and policies
    2. Prerequisites
    3. Finite Element Project
    2. CONCEPT OF STRESS (5%)
    1. Stress at a point
    2. Principal stresses and principal directions
    3. Equilibrium equations
    4. Stress transformation equations
    3. CONCEPT OF STRAIN (5%)
    1. Strain-displacement equations
    2. Normal, shear and volumetric strain
    3. Compatibility equations
    4. BEHAVIOUR OF MATERIALS (5%)
    1. Stress-Strain curve
    2. Strain hardening, plasticity and visco-elasticity
    3. Generalized Hooke's law
    4. Interpretation of elastic constants
    5. Solid Mechanics in Engineering Design
    6. Examples
    5. ELEMENTARY SOLUTIONS OF THE THEORY OF ELASTICITY (10%)
    1. Fundamental principles of analysis
    2. General solution for axisymmetric problems
    3. Shrink-fit theory and compound cylinders
    4. Spinning disks
    6. PLASTICITY (10 %)
    1. Elementary models of the theory of plasticity
    2. Plasticity action in pressurized cylinder
    3. Residual stresses
    4. Plasticity action in spinning disks
    7. INTRO TO FRACTURE MECHANICS (10 %)
    1. Crack tip fields
    2. Linear Fracture Mechanics
    3. Fracture Toughness
    4. Fracture-Safe design concept
    OTHER ADVANCED TOPICS (Time permitting)

    CATCHUP AND REVISION (Time permitting)

    Module II. Materials & Structures

    1. INTRODUCTION

    2-6. COMPOSITE MATERIALS (A/Prof Reza Ghomashchi)
    1. Introduction
    2. Fibre reinforced
    3. Principles of reinforcement
    4. Mechanical properties
    5. Manufacturing routes
    6. Other composites
    7. Applications
    7-11 AEROSPACE STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS (Mr Lloyd Fletcher)
    1. Introduction to aerospace structures
    2. Mechanics of composites
    3. Bending of unsymmetrical beams
    4. Shear of thin-walled beams
    5. Torsional theory of thin-walled sections
    6. Idealised thin-walled sections
    7. Stiffened shear panels
    8. Shear flow analysis for a skin cutout
    9. Thin-plate structural stability
    12. CATCHUP AND REVISION
    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

    The Solid Mechanics module is worth 50% of the total course assessment and the Materials & Structures module worth 50% of the total course assessment

    The Final exam will be scheduled in week 15 or 16. Half of the exam will be for the Solid Mechanics module and half will be for the Materials & Structures module.

    The following tables are an outline of the assessment for each module of this course. Please note that while every effort has been made to ensure that this information reflects an accurate plan, the coordinator and lecturers have the right to make changes that ensure the continual improvement of the course. Any such changes will be made clear during the lectures and via MyUni.

    Solid Mechanics module:

    All assignments are due by 5pm on the due date. Details of each task are tabulated below.

    Assessment task Weighting, % Description Due Learning objectives
    (See 2.1 above)
    Assignment 1 3 Stress-Strain Friday, week 5 1 – 5
    Assignment 2 3 Elasticity Friday, week 9 1 – 5
    Assignment 3 3 Plasticity and FE Friday, week 11 1 – 5
    FE Tutorials 1 Report Friday, week 12 3
    Lab Classes 1 Report Friday, week 12 3
    Quizzes 4 Test on all parts Weeks 1 – 12 1 – 5
    Final Exam 35 Open book Exam period 1 – 7

    Materials & Structures module:

    Assessment task Weighting, % Description Learning objectives
    (See 2.1 above)
    Assignments 7.5 Mathematical Problem Solving 1 – 7
    Composites Project 7.5 Research project 1 – 7
    Final Exam 35 Open book 1 – 7
    Assessment Related Requirements

    Compulsory attendance at FE tutorials and Lab classes, minimum result required for FE and Lab classes is 50%.

    Assessment Detail

    Finite Element (FE) Laboratory

    This is a written report on the FE modelling part of the course and will involve problem-solving exercises. The timetable of FE tutorials will be available on MyUni in the beginning of semester.

    Experimental Laboratory

    This is a report on the experimental study part of the course. The timetable for the lab classes will be available on MyUni in the beginning of semester.

    Exam

    The examination is intended to assess the student’s knowledge and understanding of the course material. The final examination is open-book.

    Solid Mechanics module:

    Assignments

    These are problem-solving exercises. These problems will be discussed in class in detail before the due date. Example problems with full worked solutions will be considered in class and the solutions of the assignment’s problem will be available on MyUni.

    Quizzes

    Quizzes are individual in-class assignments and this includes problem-solving exercises to be completed in 45 min with full worked solutions to be available on MyUni.

    Materials & Structures module:

    Assignments

    These are problem-solving exercises covering the topics from this module of the course.

    Project

    The students are required to carry out a literature review (mini research) on the use of composite materials in aerospace applications. There would be specific topics for students to choose from.

    Submission

    Quizzes will be collected at the end of the in-class tutorials.

    All other assignments and reports must be submitted as a hard copy (unless stated otherwise) accompanied by an assessment cover sheet available near the assignment submission area. These must be placed the labelled box on level 2 of Engineering South Building.

    Late assignments will be penalised 10% per day. Extensions for assignments and reports 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. 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.

    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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