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Unit of study_

AERO8460: Aerospace Design 1

2025 unit information

This unit aims to introduce students to the theory and practice of aircraft component design. In doing so it will emphasise all the considerations, trade-offs and decisions inherent in this process and thus enable students to gain an understanding of why aircraft structures are designed in the way they are with respect to aircraft operational, certification, manufacturing and cost considerations. At the end of this unit students will be able to understand the design process, especially as it applies to aircraft individual component design; Have a familiarity with some of the standard industry practices for component design; An increasing familiarity with typical aerospace analysis techniques along with the primary failure modes that need to be considered; An understanding of the importance of different failure modes for different components and how these relate to load-conditions; a farmilarity with the operating environment that must be considered when designing components; and understanding of some off the legal and ethical requirements of aircraft design engineers to give a basic understanding of the regulatory framework in which aircraft design is conducted.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Engineering

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
None
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
AERO9460
Assumed knowledge:
? 
Mathematics, Physics and Solid Mechanics at the level of Bachelor of Engineering, Science or equivalent

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

  • LO1. Describe, understand and interpret the role of trade-off study, performance, manufacture and assembly within the overall aerospace design process based on the relevant regulations and certification requirements
  • LO2. Development and analysis three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD) models specific for complex aerospace components. Develop the ability to interpret, reverse engineer and draft engineering drawings in the design of an aerospace component or assembly.
  • LO3. Apply computer aided design principles for the design, assembly and testing of well-defined aerospace components.
  • LO4. Perform basic stress and deflection analysis using referenced equations in compliance with Australian and International standards/regulations.
  • LO5. Evaluate and select engineering materials, design methodologies, and assembly processes based on manufacturing opportunities and constraints relevant to the aerospace industry.
  • LO6. Design and verify appropriateness of analysis of a complex aerospace component accounting for aircraft performance, certification and design requirements. Developing the ability to process large amount of information to select appropriate methodology of analysis and design appropriate to the given specifications.
  • LO7. Understand the role of safety factor, margin of safety, limit and ultimate loads, V-N diagrams, damage tolerance and design approaches of aerospace structures, components and advanced composite materials subjected to quasi-static and fatigue loading.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 1 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

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