ME 409/609: Aerospace Structures

Spring 1997

Instructor

Dr. Joseph C. Slater
238 Russ Engineering Center
775-5085
jslater@wright.edu
http://www.cs.wright.edu/people/faculty/jslater

Time and Place

Monday/Wednesday, 4:10-5:50 PM
108 Fawcett Hall

Office Hours

Tentative: Will change depending on student schedules.
4-5 PM, Tuesday and Thursday, and by appointment.

Text

Required:

Curtis, H.D., Fundamentals of Aircraft Structural Analysis

Other References:

Megson, T.H.G., Aircraft Structures, 2nd Ed.

Reismann, H. and Pawlik, P.S., Elasticity, Theory and Application.

Peery, D.J., and Azar, J.J., Aircraft Structures.

Allen, D.H., and Haisler, W.E., Introduction to Aerospace Structural Analysis.

Prerequisite

ME 313, Strength of Materials
Senior or Graduate Standing

Course Contents

1. Statically Determinate Structures (chapter 1)

2. Fundamental Concepts of Elasticity (2)

3. Box Beam Stress Analysis (3)

4. Load Transfer in Stiffened Panel Structures (4)

5. Numerical Solution Methods (Notes)

6. Structural Instability (12)

Homework (10%)

Homework problems will be assigned on occasion, no more than once per week. It is recommended that you work a number of the problems in the text by hand and compare the results to those obtained using your codes (see projects).

Projects (25%)

Design projects will be assigned throughout the quarter. You may work in groups of three. Projects will include programming tasks, the solution of large problems, and design of specified aspects of a given aircraft substructure.

Exams and Quizzes (65%)

There will be two quizzes and a final exam graded on a flat scale (>89=A,>79=B, >69=C,>59=D, <59=F). All tests are open book, open notes unless otherwise stated. All grading discrepancies must be brought up in writing within two lectures after receiving graded exams.

Programming/Computer Use

Programming should be done in MATLAB, as it provides one of the best interactive design interfaces along with ease of use and advanced plotting capability. The code generated is also transportable to any other platform that runs MATLAB. Manuals are available in the Russ Engineering Center. I may be consulted on programming algorithms, but I will not assist in extensive debugging of programs or answering questions on syntax made clear in class handouts.

Problem Solutions

All problem solutions, whether on homework, quizzes, or exams, should be neat and orderly. They should begin with a brief problem statement and figure (Elaborate drawings are not expected). All problems requiring a free-body diagram must have one.

Cheating

Don't.

Important Dates

Tests: April 21, May 14.
Last day to drop with a record of "W": May 2.
Final Exam: Monday, June 9, 5:30-7:30.