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Unit of study_

AERO9360: Aerospace Structures 1

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to develop a student's understanding of the theoretical basis of advanced aerospace structural analysis; and introduce students to the solution of real-world aircraft structural problems. This unit of study will develop the following attributes: An understanding of the derivation of the fundamental equations of elasticity and their application in certain analytical problems; An understanding of plate theory and the ability to use this to obtain analytical solutions for plate bending and buckling problems; An understanding of energy-method to develop a deeper appreciation for the complexities of designing solution techniques for structural problems; An understanding of the basic principals behind stressed-skin aircraft construction and the practical analysis of typical aircraft components, including the limitations of such techniques. At the end of this unit students will have an understanding of: 2-D and 3-D elasticity: general equations and solution techniques; Energy methods in structural analysis, including the principles of virtual work and total potential and complimentary energies; Fundamental theory of plates, including in-plane and bending loads as well as buckling and shear instabilities; Solution techniques for plate problems including: Navier solutions for rectangular plates; Combined bending and in-plane loading problems; Energy methods for plate-bending; and Plate buckling for compression and shear loadings; Bending of beams with unsymmetrical cross-sections; Basic principles and theory of stressed-skin structural analysis; Determination of direct stresses and shear flows in arbitrary thin-walled beams under arbitrary loading conditions including: Unsymmetrical sections, Open and closed sections, Single and multi-cell closed sections, Tapered sections, Continuous and idealised sections; The analysis of common aircraft components including fuselages, wings, skin-panels, stringers, ribs, frames and cut-outs; The effects of end constraints and shear-lag on the solutions developed as well as an overall appreciation of the limitations of the solution methods presented.

Unit details and rules

Unit code AERO9360
Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
AERO8360
Prerequisites
? 
AMME9301 or AMME5301
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Liyong Tong, liyong.tong@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam Final exam
55% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment 1
5% Week 03 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Tutorial quiz Quiz 1
10% Week 05 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5
Assignment Assignment 2
5% Week 06 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Assignment Assignment 3
5% Week 09 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5
Tutorial quiz Quiz 2
10% Week 10 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Assignment 4
5% Week 11 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Assignment 5
5% Week 13 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

Assignments and lab session provide opportunities for student to practise and develop deeper understanding of lectured topics.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Standard late penalty applies as outlined in Assessment Procedures 2011.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Loads on aircraft, function of structural components; 2. Bending of beams with non-symmetrical cross sections Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 02 1. Stress, strain and displacement relationships for open and closed single cell thin walled beams 2. Bending of beams with non-symmetrical cross sections Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 03 1. Stress, strain and displacement relationships for open and closed single cell thin walled beams; 2. Torsion of thin walled beam sections; 3. Structural idealisation Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 04 1. Structural idealisation; 2. Multicell beams Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 05 1. Multicell beams; 2. Tapered beams Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 06 1. Tapered beams; 2. Shear panels, ribs and cut-outs Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 07 1. Shear panels, ribs and cut-outs; 2. Structural constraints Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 08 Elasticity Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 09 2D problems Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 10 2D problems in polar coordinates Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 11 Bending of thin plates Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 12 Plates with combined bending and in-plane loadings Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 13 1. Review; 2. Energy methods for plate bending, and composite structures Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO3 LO4

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • T.H.G. Megson, Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students (2nd). Edward Arnold, Amember of the Hodder Headline Group, London Sydney Auckland, 1990.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

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

  • LO1. understand the analysis and/or testing method in applying knowledge to an aircraft wing structure
  • LO2. understand the derivation of the fundamental equations of elasticity and their application in certain analytical problems
  • LO3. understand plate theory and use this to obtain analytical solutions for plate bending and buckling problems
  • LO4. understand energy-method solution techniques for structural problems
  • LO5. understand the basic principals behind stressed-skin aircraft construction and the practical analysis of typical aircraft components, including the limitations of such techniques.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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