Aerospace Industry Organisation (autumn)
The module offers a comprehensive account on the organisation practices across the aerospace industry worldwide. It strikes a balance on the discussions between common practices in the industry and individual characteristics of a range of typical/leading companies.
The contents will cover, but are not restricted to, some of the following aspects:
- Products (air/space; commercial/military; airplanes/helicopters/UAVs)
- Markets (airframes/engines/systems - approximate shares of major players)
- Supply chain
- Research and development
- Regulatory aspects (airworthiness certification, regulatory bodies)
In addition to designated lectures delivered by University of Nottingham members of staff, invited speakers will be sought from the front runners in the industry. The intended candidates are as follows:
- An airframer (probably Airbus or Boeing UK)
- A major component supplier (e.g. GKN or Rolls Royce)
- An airline perspective (e.g. BA)
- A small component or equipment manufacturer, (e.g. an actuator company)
- A government perspective (e.g. someone from BIS, the Aerospace and Defence KTN the EU or even the MAA regional aerospace alliance)
- A certification authority (e.g. CAA or similar).
Method and Frequency of Class:
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
Method of Assessment:
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Coursework 1 |
33.00 |
Aerospace organisation: a report (1,000 words) on the organisation of a typical aerospace company |
Coursework 2 |
33.00 |
Certification: answering the questions (1,000 words) set by the speakers on the airworthiness certification |
Presentation 1 |
33.00 |
Supply chain: presentation on the supply chain - max 10 minutes |
Individual Project
Engineers working in industry usually find that they become involved in extended practical or theoretical projects. This module provides an opportunity for you to work in a similar situation.
You’ll indicate your project preferences then work under the supervision of an expert member of staff to write a dissertation on your work and present it publicly. You’ll have weekly individual tutorial with your project supervisor, but otherwise you’ll be expected to work alone.
Systems Engineering
This module presents a way of thinking about systems in general and a way of mapping the composition and integration of systems and of system components. It shows how projects are organised and managed in order to translate complex, diverse requirements into integrated, robust design solutions. The main topics are:
- How to think about systems and systems of systems
- Requirements and Capabilities
- Uncertainty, Risk, Sensitivity and Robustness
- Architectures, Integration and Interoperability
- A Systems Approach to Design and Optimisation
- A Systems Approach to Test and Evaluation
- Safety, Dependability and Predictability of Complex Systems
- Managing a Systems Engineering Process
The lectures are accompanied by a semester-long design challenge that lets the students gain practical experience of managing a systems engineering process.
Advanced Dynamics and Vibration
This module covers advanced concepts and analytical methods used to analyse the dynamics and vibration of mechanical systems. Topics covered include:
- Lagrange’s Equation
- linearisation of equations of motion
- 3D Rigid Body Dynamics in moving (translating and rotating) reference frames
- dynamics and stability of rotating machinery
- vibration response of complex structures and machines
A number of engineering case studies are presented, including robotics manipulators, gyroscopic sensors, shaft whirl, shock response spectra, vibration absorbers, flight dynamics, and vibration of aerostructures. Skills in modelling and simulation with reference to MATLAB/Simulink are developed.
Advanced Materials Characterisation (autumn)
This module adopts a broad approach, covering the principles underpinning a wide range of materials characterisation techniques, for imaging, structural characterisation and chemical analysis.
Emphasis is given to the process, structure, property interrelationship, backed up by appropriate case studies taken from the areas of structural materials, functional materials, biomaterials and nanomaterials.
Detailed content underpinning the module includes particle / material interactions and wave / material interactions; the experimental process; crystallography; defects; reciprocal space and diffraction.
Consideration is given to instrumentation, vacuum systems, electron sources and detectors etc and described with reference to the techniques of SEM, TEM, XRD, XRF and XPS.
An overview of related surface analysis techniques and ion beam techniques is provided. Aspects of sample preparation, including FIB milling are also covered.
Turbulence and Turbulent Flows (autumn)
This is an advanced module in fluid mechanics applicable to a wide range of engineering disciplines. You will develop understanding and application skills of basic concepts and fundamental knowledge in turbulence and turbulent flows in engineering.
Topics to be covered include:
- fundamental theory of turbulence
- statistical description of turbulence
- boundary layer structures
- turbulent flow control
- turbulence modelling and CFD
- experimental techniques
- practical and industrial examples
Delivery
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
Assessment method
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Coursework |
30.00 |
Assessed extended laboratory report based on experimental data on turbulent boundary layer taken in the wind tunnel.
|
Exam |
70.00 |
Closed book examination. |
Studying Human Performance (autumn)
This module aims to give a broad review of the measurement techniques which can be used in ergonomic analysis and evaluation of systems or products, together with an understanding of the need for experimental design and control in order to obtain valid and meaningful results. It also provides a theoretical basis for techniques which may be practised during laboratory work and exercises in other human factors modules.
The module covers:
- Introduction to experimental design; experimental controls; selection and recruitment of subjects; user trials; ethical considerations
- Observational methods: direct and indirect observation; recording techniques; measurement of behaviour; activity sampling
- Subjective measurements: ranking methods, rating scales, application in interviews and questionnaires
- Task analysis: task description; tabular and hierarchical task analysis; applications
- Introduction to SPSS
- Descriptive statistics
- Statistical analysis: Types of data; Normal distribution; Non-parametric tests; Parametric 2 samples tests, Correlation and regression, Chi Square, ANOVA
Power Systems for Aerospace, Marine and Automotive Applications
This module aims to develop an understanding of the design and operation of power systems in aerospace, marine and automotive applications. With the introduction of more electrical technologies in these application areas, the understanding and expected performance of the power system has become a critical platform design issue. You’ll have five blocks of four hour lectures to study for this module.
Spacecraft Systems and Design
The aim of this module is to provide theoretical and practical tools to design a spacecraft mission. The main topics covered are:
- Fundamentals of Orbital Mechanics and Astrodynamics
- Space Mission Analysis and Design
- Design of Spacecraft Subsystems
- Assembly, Integration, Test and Verification
- Satellite in orbit operations
- Spacecraft Mission Performance and Risk Analysis (at Subsystems and Systems levels)
As part of the module, students will use a range of software to design and analyse the space mission and the spacecraft subsystems performances. The outcome of the study will be presented and assessed via a 5,000-word report and a 2-hour exam.
Joining Technology
This module examines, in-depth, the processes used for joining metallic (e.g. steel, aluminium and titanium alloys) and non-metallic (e.g. polymers and fibre reinforced composites) materials.
Topics covered include:
- mechanical joining
- adhesive bonding
- soldering and brazing
- solid state joining (friction welding and diffusion bonding)
- fusion welding (arc welding and the many classes thereof, resistance, electron beam and laser welding)
The fundamental characteristics of the various processes are examined along with procedures for practical applications. The origins of defects within joints and methods needed to control or eliminate them are also considered. The mechanical behaviour of joints is analysed, as is the effect of joining on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of the base materials. Other features such as residual stress and distortion are addressed. Attention is also given to appropriate design for manufacture in a modern manufacturing context.
Method and Frequency of Class:
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
12 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
Method of Assessment:
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Coursework 1 |
25.00 |
Case study review |
Exam 1 |
75.00 |
1 hour 30 minute unseen written exam |
Computational Fluid Dynamics
In this module you’ll develop an advanced understanding of fluid mechanics. You’ll use computational methods in fluid mechanics to further understand how techniques are applied to real fluid engineering problems. For example, you’ll study fluid/structure interactions, air flow, channel flow and water wave propagation. You’ll spend between two and four hours in lectures and two hours in computing sessions each week.
Finite Element Analysis
This module will allow the theoretical background needed to understand linear Finite Element analysis. To present a number of examples to illustrate how practical problems can be analysed using FE software.
You will cover the following topics:
- Structural analysis
- Derivation of finite element equations using energy considerations
- Linear and quadratic elements
- Beam, plate and shell elements
- Practical applications of finite elements in stress analysis problems
- Examples of finite element applications
- Introduction to thermal problems
- Introduction to non-linear problems
Additive Manufacturing and 3D printing (spring)
The aim of this module is to provide students with detailed knowledge of the various Additive Manufacturing technologies including specific design, material and process principles. Students will gain an insight into current and future applications as well as the research developments required for the advancement of this technology.
This module will cover design, processing and material aspects of Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing technologies, as well as the current and potential applications of the technology in a wide variety of sectors. Topics covered will include:
- commercial and experimental systems
- material requirements
- design for Additive Manufacturing
- software and systems