MEng Aerospace Engineering

This is a foundational unit to introduce students to the fundamental principles and the process of modelling and simulation. The motivations for modelling and simulation and its wider context in engineering is discussed and this is supported by teaching fundamental mathematical knowledge and the use of programming and commercial software to simplify and model real-world situations. The unit aims to enable students to make informed choices to conceive, implement, evaluate, validate and interrogate a model of a physical system.

1. To introduce students to the fundamental principles and the process of modelling and simulation.

2. To introduce students to a range of tools and techniques to enable them to model physical systems.

3. To provide hands-on experience of applying the taught techniques to investigate some rudimentary physical problems using programing and commercial software packages.

Computational Fluid Dynamics

Use of fluid and heat flow simulation will be taught to build foundational knowledge and consider both steady and unsteady applications. Lectures will include: modelling fluid flow, finite difference methods, numerical techniques, grid generation, boundary conditions, steady/unsteady applications. Computer laboratories will be used to teach MATLAB based programming and ANSYS FLUENT.

Finite Element Modelling

Introduction to the finite element method including theoretical understanding and calculations and practical outworking in commercial modelling and simulation computer software. Lectures will include: Theoretical Introduction to the Finite Element Method, introduction to commercial software packages, modelling spars, beams, bars and two dimensional approximations and practical problem solving. Computer laboratories will be used to teach MATLAB based programming and ANSYS Mechanical applications.

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