The module descriptors for this programme can be found below.
Modules shown are for the current academic year and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.
Please note that the curriculum of this programme is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.
Aerospace Structures
Module aims
This module is concerned with teaching students how to analyse and design aerospace structures such as the wing and fuselage. It will include analysis of how these structures deform under loads and the effect of such loads will be considered.
Learning outcomes
Analyse open tube, and thin walled structures under a variety of loading conditions
Develop the beam/pure shear panel idealisation
Evaluate the deflection of closed cell geometry due to bending and shear strains, and extend this work to multi-cell tubes loaded by transverse shear forces.
Describe the function of fuselage frames and to calculate the stress distribution in the fuselage near a frame due to a concentrated load.
Formulate the preliminary design process as applied to airframe design.
Module syllabus
Analysis
Single cell tube loaded by shear forces: stress distribution and twist. Shear centre
Boom/shear panel idealisations: simplified modelling of assemblies of skin, stiffeners and spars
Deflection of a thin-walled tube: due to bending shear and torsion
Multi-cell tube (including tapered): stress distribution and twist due to torsion and transverse shear forces
Design
Introduction to airframe design. Preliminary design of wing boxes. Use of flight envelope to demonstrate interaction between design, aerodynamics and stress. Preliminary design of wing structures from UAS to commercial jets. Preliminary design of fuselage structures under pressure. U/C loads etc. Cut-outs design. Detail design of fatigue prone components, such as root fittings, sapr boom splices, windows etc. Practical fail safe life design. Finite element analysis with the industrial software packages. Survey of data sources: ESDU data sheets relating to structural strength, stability and fatigue.
Pre-requisites
Teaching methods
The module utilizes a project-based, student-centred learning approach, whereby you will carry out the project in a small group (5 members). While you will primarily learn through the conduct of the project itself, extensive support material is available in the form of in person lectures, pre-recorded online lectures, a wide variety of reference texts, weekly drop-in tutorials with the tutors and an online discussion forum.
Assessments
Your work on the design of the aircraft's airframe is reported through a group report on the structural component's performance during mechanical testing.
Individual student's contributions and conduct throughout the project are assessed through peer and self-assessment.
Formative assessment is provided by means of tutorial sheets/sessions and an interactive Q&A session.
Due to the collaborative nature of group work, reassessment for this module must occur in session in the following academic year.
| Assessment type
|
Assessment description
|
Weighting
|
Pass mark
|
| Coursework
|
Group design exercise
|
80%
|
50%
|
| Examination
|
Structures Theory Quiz
|
10%
|
50%
|
| Coursework
|
Preliminary Load Analysis
|
10%
|
50%
|
Each team will be further offered an opportunity to attend a design review, to receive feedback on their designs, ahead of the final submissions. Further individual feedback is available from your peers, as well as on request during the weekly tutorial sessions, via this module’s online feedback forum, staff office hours and discussions with tutors.