Skip to main content
Unit of study_

AERO4360: Aerospace Structures 2

This unit aims to teach fundamentals of modern numerical and analytical techniques for evaluating stresses, strains, deformations and strengths of representative aerospace structures. In particular the focus is on developing an understanding of: Fundamental concepts and formulations of the finite element methods for basic structural analysis; Elements for typical aerospace structures, such as beams/frames, plates/shells, and their applications and limitations; Finite element techniques for various types of problems pertinent to aerospace structures; and, developing hands-on experience of using selected commercial finite element analysis program. At the end of this unit of study the following will have been covered: Introduction to Finite Element Method for modern structural and stress analysis; One-dimensional rod elements; Generalization of FEM for elasticity; Two- and three-dimensional trusses; FEA for beams and frames in 2D and 3D; Two-dimensional problems using constant strain triangular elements; The two-dimensional isoparametric elements; Plates and shells elements and their applications; FEA for axisymmetric shells and pressure vessels, shells of revolution; FEA for axisymmetric solids subjected to axi-symmetric loading; FEA for structural dynamics, eigenvalue analysis, modal response, transient response; Finite element analysis for stress stiffening and buckling of beams, plates and shells; Three-dimensional problems in stress analysis; Extensions to the element library, higher order elements, special elements; Constraints; FEA modeling strategy; FEA for heat conduction; FEA for non-linear material and geometric analysis.

Code AERO4360
Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
AERO3360
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
None
Assumed knowledge:
? 
AERO3465

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. work on a project with a team member, this includes rationally selecting a project, developing modeling details, interpreting results and writing professional report
  • LO2. interpret, justify and communicate the numerical results in a professional manner
  • LO3. use selected commercial FEA package and gain hands-on experience, including developing modeling strategy and debugging
  • LO4. understand fundamental concepts of finite element methods
  • LO5. understand and derive shape functions, stiffness matrices and equivalent load vectors for selected element
  • LO6. assemble the global stiffness matrix and global equivalent load vector
  • LO7. understand the difference of elements and their application scopes and limitations
  • LO8. use different solvers to solve different types of aerospace structure problems.