| Unit name | Advanced Structures and Materials |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CADE30001 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Allegri |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
CADE20006 Structures and Materials, or equivalent |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Aerospace structures are designed to sustain challenging operational loads, whilst simultaneously aiming to minimise weight and material usage. The analytical structural analysis methods taught in earlier years made simplifying, but judicious, assumptions about stress and strain in the structure. In order to model more complex geometries with more advanced materials, the students are introduced to Finite Element Analysis – both underlying theory and application using industry-standard FE software. Modern aerospace structures make extensive use of lightweight fibre-reinforced composite laminate materials, and this unit provides an introduction to Composite Laminate Analysis to enable students to analyse composite structures. Further, an understanding of fracture mechanics, fatigue and creep are essential for an aerospace engineer’s ability to predict lifetime performance of an aircraft.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit advances the students’ ability to analyse aerospace structures, by relaxing assumptions and simplifications used in previous units, and introducing computational structural analysis using Finite Element Analysis. Further, more advanced materials and failure analyses are covered. This unit provides students with the structural knowledge for their research project and group design project, as well as prepares the students for specialist composite structures, materials and manufacturing optional units in the final year.
An overview of content
This unit advances the students’ ability to analyse more complex aerospace structures. The students are introduced to the fundamentals of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and use industry-standard FEA software to analyse aerospace structures. The underlying theory provides students with the ability to make appropriate modelling choices, interpret the numerical results and judge their validity. The Composite Laminate Analysis part of the unit introduces students to the structural hierarchy of composites, building up towards the structural modelling of composite laminates, and the interpretation and selection of standard composite lay-ups. The failure of aerospace structures is covered from the perspective of fracture mechanics (using stress and strain energy-based methods), fatigue and creep.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will have advanced their ability to analyse aerospace structures and interpret the results, enabling them to design structures that meet desired stiffness and strength requirements.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities, which include lectures, computer labs and self-directed exercises.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative tasks will include example sheets and modelling exercises in computer labs.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
[25%] – Individual coursework (ILO 1 – 2) AHEP 1, 2, 3
[75%] – Invigilated examination (ILO 3 – 4) AHEP 1, 2
When assessment does not go to plan
A reassessment retains the same format as the original assessment.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CADE30001).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
