Aerospace Structures

Aerospace Structures
Course Number: 251 - 15341
ECTS credits: 6
YEAR 3/ Upper Division

PREREQUISITES/STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE COMPLETED:
We strongly advise you not to take this course if you have not passed Physics I , Introduction to Mechanics of Flight and Introduction to structural analysis.

COMPETENCES AND SKILLS THAT WILL BE ACQUIRED AND LEARNING RESULTS:

Knowledge of the basic tools for the calculation of thin-walled beams, that provide to the student the ability to design structural components of the aerospace industry.
Acquisition of the technological knowledge needed to calculate bidimensional structural elements used in aerospace structures.
Knowledge of the basics of the design of structures made of composite materials, including composite laminates and sandwich structures, which are widely used in aerospace industry.
Familiarity with the fundamentals of the design of the main structural elements and systems used in aircrafts.
Ability to use specific software to analyse, design and calculation of structural elements, developing a critical awareness.

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENTS:

Chapter 1.    Structures in the aerospace and aeronautical sector
Subject 1. Structural description of the aircraft
­    1.1 Loads on aircraft structures
­    1.2 Function of structural components
­    1.3 Wing structure
­    1.4 Fuselage structure
­    1.5 Stabilizers structure
­    1.6 Helicopter structure
Subject  2. Structures in the aeronautical sector
­    2.1 Frame and truss structures
­    2.2 Space structures
­    2.3. Future trends

Chapter 2.    Bending, shear and torsion of thin-walled beams
Subject 3 and 4.    Bending and shear of open and closed, thin-walled beams
­    3.1 Kinematic hypothesis
­    3.2 Shear of open section beams
­    3.3 Shear of closed section beams
­    3.4 Shear centre
Subject 5.    Torsion of beams
­    5.1 Torsion of closed section beams
­    5.2 Torsion of open section beams
Subject 6.    Torsion on multiple-cell thin-walled beams
­    6.1 Torsion of multiple-cell closed section beams
­    6.2 Torsion of multiple-cell open section beams

Chapter 3. Plates and Shells
Subject 7 and 8.    Bending of thin plates
­    7. 1 Kinematic
­    7.2 Plates subjected to a distributed transverse loads
­    7.3 Plates subjected to bending and twisting
­

Subject 9 and 10. Shells
­    9.1 Hypotheses
        9.2 Thin shells subjected to in-plane loads
        9.3 Thin shells subjected to bending loads

Chapter 4.    Laminate and sandwich structures
Subject 11.    Theory of laminate
­    11.1 Kinematic
­    11.2 Orthotropic constitutive equations
­    11.3 Classical and first-order theories of laminate composites
­    11.4 Failure criteria
Subject 12.    Composite beams and plates
­    12.1 Composite beams subjected to bending
­    12.2 Composite thin-walled cross-section beams
­    12.3 Bending of composite plates
Subject 13.    Sandwich structures
­    13.1 Basic sandwich theory
­    13.2 Sandwich beams
­    13.3 Sandwich plates

LEARNING ACTIVITES AND METHODOLOGY:

In each week one lecture session (master class) and one practical session (in reduced groups) will be taught. The first is geared to the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, and the second to the acquisition of practical skills related to theoretical concepts. Additionally, students will complement the classes with work at home, using material provided on Aula Global.

In addition to these sessions, four laboratory practical sessions in reduced groups (maximum 20 students) will be impart. These practices are mandatory.

At the end of the semester tutorial session will be held. Students also have the possibility of individual tutorials.

ASSESSMENT SYSTEM:

Final exam (mandatory): 60%
Continuum assessment: 40%
- Laboratory report: 20%
- Evaluation tests: 20%
If the mark obtained in the final exam is lower than 4.5, the final mark of the student will be computed only with the final exam.
    
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

    Barbero E.J.. Introduction to composite materials. Taylor and Francis. 1999
    Megson, T.H.G.. Aircraft structures for engineering students. Elsevier. 2007
    Timoshenko, S.P.. Theory of plates and shells. McGraw Hill. 1st ed. 1940