Computer Methods in Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Engineering (master program)

TRAINING MODULE: Computer Methods in Aerospace Engineering

General description

Country: Poland
Institution: Rzeszów University of Technology

EQF level: 7 (1st semester of master degree)
Department: Department of Aerospace Engineering
Language of instruction: Polish (for Polish students)

English (for Erasmus students)

Number of hours: 90 h
On site/online: On site
Course timeframe Winter semester (Oct’22-Feb’23)

Main educational goal

Aviation and space systems are complex products comprised of many subsystems which must meet demanding customer and operational lifecycle value requirements. Traditional systems engineering approaches to air and space systems design have been upended by two trends – increasing complexity and accelerating delivery timelines. Digital mission engineering and model-based systems engineering (MBSE) are essential to these new challenges, enabling a system integrator to redirect work from physical systems to their logical representations. Digitalization of the design processes of aviation and space systems integrated with missions requires the use of advanced techniques and computational tools.

The main educational goal of the subject is to acquire knowledge and skills in the field of modern methods and computer tools supporting the process of conceptual and initial design of complex aviation and space systems. An additional purpose is to show the strong interdependence between design tools and design processes. One of the course specific objectives is to explain the role of each tool at each product development phase.

Typology: New module within existing program
Prerequisites: Mathematics (basic algebra)

Basic knowledge about computer tools used in engineering work

Problems solving

Course methodology lectures

project-based learning

labs exercises

Learning outcomes: K1–K5 – Knowledge,
S1–S12 – Skills,
C1–C6 – Social competences.
Has highly specialised knowledge necessary to understand the main problems in aerospace engineering (K1).
Has highly specialised knowledge of the methodology and usage of the CAE approach to engineering design of aerospace systems (K2)
Has ordered, theoretically founded highly specialised knowledge in the field of mission-based and model-based approach to systems design and engineering (K3).
Has highly specialised knowledge related to the methods of modelling, analysis and design of aerospace systems (K4).
Has general knowledge related to the engineering tools for modelling, analysis and design of aerospace systems (K5).
Can define, verify and validate a list of design requirements (S1).
Can create, verify and validate models used in optimal designing process (S2),
Can recognize the advantages and disadvantages of the used models, methods and tools, and obtained solutions (S3).
Can select and applies existing computer tools to design a product and solve optimization tasks (S4);
Can identify optimization tasks, selects and applies optimization methods in designs (S5),
Can select and apply existing software tools to engineering analysis, design and optimization (S6),
Can perform scientific research in aerospace engineering (S7),
Can perform computer simulations, analyse and interpret the results, formulate conclusions, write a report of the problem analysis and obtained solutions (S8),
Can draw a diagram and a complex machine element in accordance with the rules of technical drawing, can create a system diagram, select elements and perform basic calculations of the mechanical system of aerospace system (S9).
Can analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the obtained solutions. (S10).
Can analyse the literature and publications in the field of aerospace engineering and design (S11),
Has the ability to self-educate with the use of modern teaching tools, such as remote lectures, websites and databases, teaching programs, e-books (S12).
Is ready to critically evaluate the knowledge and content received, recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems (C1).
Is able to consult experts in the event of difficulties in solving the problem on its own (C2).
Understands the need for lifelong learning (C3).
Can inspire and organize the learning process of other people (C4).
Is able to interact and work in a group, assuming different roles in it (C5).
Is aware of the social role of a technical university graduate, and especially understands the need to formulate and convey to the society, in particular through the mass media, information and opinions on technological achievements and other aspects of engineering activities (C6).

Lectures:
1. Introduction to the theory of aerospace system designing and systems engineering (SE) approach (K1).
2. Introduction to the optimization methods used in aerospace systems optimization process (K2).
3. Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), Mission Engineering, Digital Engineering (DE), Model-Based Engineering (MBE), Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) – definition, characteristics, examples (K2, K3).
4. Formal methods in aerospace design and engineering. The Systems Modelling Language (SysML) – introduction, description, examples (K4).
5. Introduction to Computer Aided (CA)- tools in modern aerospace engineering. Definitions (CAE, CAD, CAT, CAM, etc.). The role of the CA- tools. Relations between different types of CA-tools (K3, K5).
6. Characteristics of digital mission engineering tools (K3, K5).
7. Characteristics of SE, MBE, MBSE tools (K3, K5).
8. Characteristics of CAD, CAM, CAE, and CAT tools (K5).
9. Test (1 hour).

Projects:
1. Modelling of aerospace systems components (individual mini project) (S1, S2, S7, S11, S12, C1, C2, C3).
2. Optimization of selected aerospace systems components (individual mini project) (S2, S3, S6, S7, S8, S11, S12, C1, C2, C3).
3. Mission analysis (individual mini project) (S2, S4, S6, S7, S8, S10, S11, S12, C1, C2, C3).
4. Development, improvement and approving of an engineering design (group project) (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, C1, C2, C4, C5, C6).
5. Practical realization of the projects, discussion (S7, S10, S11, C1, C2, C3, C6).
6. Presentation of the project reports and obtained results by every work team (S9, S10, C1, C2, C3, C6).
7. Summary.

Labs:
1. Developing knowledge and skills by solving simple engineering problems in the area of modelling of aerospace system components with use of computer engineering tools (computer training exercises) (S2, S3, S6).
2. Developing knowledge and skills by solving simple engineering problems in the area of optimization of selected aerospace systems components with use of computer engineering tools (computer training exercises) (S2, S3, S5, S6, S8, S10).
3. Developing knowledge and skills by solving simple engineering problems in the area of formal modelling of complex aerospace systems with use of computer engineering tools (computer training exercises) (S2, S3, S5, S6, S8, S9, S10).
4. Developing knowledge and skills by solving partial engineering problems with use of CAE approach applying computer engineering tools (computer training exercises) (K2, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S8, S9, S10, C1, C2).
5. Discussion of selected results and conclusions (C1, C2, C3, C6).
Individual activity: 100 hours.

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