AEE569 COMPOSITE MATERIALS IN AEROSPACE STRUCTURES

Course Code:5720569
METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week):4 (3.00 - 2.00)
ECTS Credit:8.0
Department:Aerospace Engineering
Language of Instruction:English
Level of Study:Graduate
Course Coordinator:Prof.Dr. ALTAN KAYRAN
Offered Semester:Fall or Spring Semesters.

Course Objectives

The objective of the course is to introduce the material content and manufacturing techniques of composite materials, and to teach the mechanical behaviour of aerospace structures composed of composite materials. Laboratory and/or video demonstration of some  commonly used composite manufacturing techniques will also be performed to provide more insight into the building up of composite structures. Applications of manufacturing of composite aerospace components will be demonstrated. Mechanical behaviour and failure of aerospace structures composed of composite materials will be studied in depth to teach the basic design and analysis principles of aerospace composite structures. Finite element applications will be introduced, and the students will learn how to perform finite element analysis of aerospace composite structures and use it in the design.

The main goal is to equip the graduate student with the relevant theoretical and practical information, and educate the student so that the acquired knowledge can be effectively used by the student in the design and analysis of composite aerospace structures.


Course Content

Composite material definition, Manufacturing techniques and aerospace applications, Anisotropic elasticity, Macromechanical behavior of a lamina, Micromechanical behavior of a lamina, Macromechanical behavior of a laminate, Beams of composite materials, Strength of laminates and failure theories, FEM applications in aerospace structures.


Course Learning Outcomes

Taking this course, student will

  • learn material composition, properties of composite materials and manufacturing methods of composite structures
  • learn macromechanical behaviour of lamina
  • learn micromechanical behaviour of lamina
  • learn macromechanical behaviour of laminates
  • learn how to model composite structures in finite element tools
  • learn how to apply failure theories  to composite materials and be able to use failure theories to predict failure initiation and progression in composite structures
  • learn analytical methods for the analysis of one dimensional composite structures such as beams, bars and columns