MEC413   Aircraft Aeroelasticity and Loads   (10 credits)

Description

This module aims to provide students with an awareness of techniques used in the study of (a) Aeroelasticity and (b) loads. (a) Aircraft Aeroelasticity: An introduction to Lagrange's equations will be given, this will be revision for some students. Theory related to static Aeroelasticity (wing deformation and control reversal) and flutter will be presented. The calculation of divergence speed and flutter speeds/frequencies on several aircraft models will be an important part of this module as per its importance at industrial scale. (b) Aircraft Loads: The key different sources of aircraft loads will be introduced: namely equilibrium manoeuvres, dynamic manoeuvres, gusts and turbulence. The aircraft model will allow heave and pitch motions, but the influence of flexible modes will be pointed out. The calculation of internal loads will be explained. Note that these load cases provide the primary structural design inputs. Note - this module is a reduced version of a short course presented at Airbus, BAE SYSTEMS, Embraer and Stirling Dynamics.

Reading List