Unit information: Structural Analysis in 2019/20

Unit name	Structural Analysis
Unit code	AENGM0054
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Pirrera
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

The topics covered in this unit will include fundamental concepts of structural mechanics and stress analysis. The unit is propaedeutic to further studies on composite materials and their structures.

Structural mechanics is the branch of mechanics that studies the behaviour of elastic structures under the action of loads, such as forces and temperature changes. Students will learn basic concepts of structural design and performance evaluation and will come to understand the links between structural geometry, material properties, loads and support conditions, and the ensuing stiffness, deformations (or strains), deflections and stresses. Particular focus will be placed on structural elements for lightweight and monocoque constructions, including thin-walled beams, trusses and frames, plates, shells, shafts, etc. Fundamental loading conditions such as stretching, bending, torsion and buckling will be covered as part of this unit.

Aims: To equip the students with: (a) a basic understanding of the concepts of stress, strain, stiffness, deflection, loads and boundary condition; and (b) the knowledge and analysis tools (e.g. Finite Element Analysis) required to perform basic stress analyses, structural design and performance evaluation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit students will be able to:

1. Analyse loads in structures with idealised supports and constitutive elements (e.g. trusses, beams, plates, shells) using equilibrium and free body diagrams.
2. Analyse stress, strain, deformation and stability of structural elements within simple determinate or indeterminate structures using analytical and numerical force/displacement or energy methods.
3. Perform preliminary structural design of simple structural elements and joints.
4. Analyse composite laminates using classical laminate theory and failure theories.

Teaching Information

The unit comprises a series of weekly tutorial sessions. Students are expected to study these subjects in their own time by engaging with provided reading material and participating in the tutorials with the teaching staff. As such, they are asked to have recourse to self-directed and peer-to-peer learning to navigate the unit’s content and determine the topic to be covered during the tutorials.

Assessment Information

100% Structures written examination (3 hours in January). This will assess of all four Intended Learning Outcomes.

Reading and References

• Gordon, J., “Structures: or Why Things Don’t Fall Down”, 2003, 2nd ed., DaCapo Press. ISBN: 0306812835.
• Cutler, J., “Understanding Aircraft Structures”, 2005, 4th ed., Malden Mass. ISBN:1405120320.
• Crandall, S., “An Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids”, 1978, 2nd ed., McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 0070662304.
• Megson, T., “Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students”, 2017, 6th ed., Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN: 0081009143
• Middleton, D., “Composite Materials in Aircraft Structures”, 1990, Longman Scientific & Technical. ISBN: 0582017122.
• Wilkinson, R., “Aircraft Structures and Systems”, 2009, 3rd ed., MechAero Publications. ISBN: 0954073460.
• Niu, M., “Airframe Structural Design”, 1999, 2nd ed., Hong Kong Conmilit Press. ISBN: 9627128090.
• Williams, M., “Structures: Theory & Analysis”, 2000, Macmillan. ISBN: 0333677609.
• Seward, D., “Understanding Structures Analysis, Materials, Design”, 2009, 4th ed., Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 0230212638.
• Fenner, T.J & Reddy, J.N., “Mechanics of Solids and Structures”, 2012, 2nd ed., CRC Press. ISBN: 1439858144.