MEng Aerospace Engineering / Course details

The aims of the course are the impartation of understanding and problem-solving skills in a range of vibration and aeroelastic problems. The vibration problems include discrete and continuous systems, which are solved using matrix algebra and partial differential equations, respectively. The aeroelastic problems deal with phenomena involving structural instabilities such as divergence and flutter, in gas, wind and steam turbine blades, aircraft wings, buildings, bridges and surface vehicles due to the interaction of aerodynamic, elastic and inertia forces.

The aims of the course are the impartation of understanding and problem-solving skills in a range of vibration and aeroelastic problems. The vibration problems include discrete and continuous systems, which are solved using matrix algebra and partial differential equations, respectively. The aeroelastic problems deal with phenomena involving structural instabilities such as divergence and flutter, in gas, wind and steam turbine blades, aircraft wings, buildings, bridges and surface vehicles due to the interaction of aerodynamic, elastic and inertia forces.

The course consists of two broad divisions, namely: Vibrations Theory and Aeroelasticity. The course syllabus is as follows;

1. Vibrations of Multiple Degrees of Freedom Discrete Systems

•     Definitions and examples of degrees of freedom; discretisation using load-sharing approach;

•     Derivation of equations of motion using: Newton's law, Lagrange's equation, stiffness & flexibility influence coefficients;

•     Eigenvalue problem: natural frequencies and mode shapes;

•     Orthogonality of modes, transformation from physical to modal space/co-ordinates;

•     Proportional and non-proportional damping.

2. Vibrations of One-dimensional Continuous Systems

•     Wave theory : derivations and solutions of wave equations for transverse vibrations of strings; longitudinal and torsional vibrations of rods and shafts; exact frequency equations.

3. Vibrations of Self-Excited Non-Aerodynamic Systems

•     Dynamic stability of a system: Poles and zeros method; Routh-Hurwitz stability criteria;

•     Non-aerodynamic self-excited systems: Shimmy of wheels.

4. Static Aeroelasticity of Blades and Wings

•     Effects of aeroelastic flexibility: stiffness and deflection changes;

•     Divergence and static stability, airfoil twist angle amplification, aeroelastic feedback.

5. Dynamic Aeroelasticity of Blades and Wings

•     Vortex shedding from single cylinder;

•     Unsteady aerodynamics, representation of relationship between forces and motion;

•     Forced harmonic motion with unsteady aerodynamics;

•     Flutter analysis.

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