Course Title: Optimum Structures

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Optimum Structures

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

AERO2403

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Dr Javid Bayandor

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 6192

Course Coordinator Email: javid.bayandor@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora East 251.3.10

Course Coordinator Availability: As shown on office door


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Pre-requisites are a knowledge of structures, vibrations and finite-element methods.  The following (or equivalent) are pre-requisite courses:

  • AERO2357 Aerospace Finite Element Methods
  • AERO2253 – Aerospace Dynamics and Control


Course Description

The aim of the course is to provide a sound introduction to the principles of optimisation, and to present optimisation as a practical design tool. In this course students will cover:
• Mathematical methods of optimization;
• Numerical methods of optimization;
• Solution of practical problems of design improvement.
Students will present results of their analysis in writing and in oral presentations.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

At the end of this course you will be able to

• Demonstrate understanding of fundamental principles relating to the Finite Element Method and its utilisation in the Aerospace sector;
• Demonstrate ability to apply the Finite Element Method in structural optimisation of aerospace structures.


The course provides students with a sound understanding of mathematical methods of unconstrained and constrained optimization, with skills in numerical methods of optimization and finally with applying this methods to design improvement.


Overview of Learning Activities

The following activities will be used to enable you to develop the desired learning outcomes:

• Attendance at lectures with lecture notes studied in advance;
• Completion of home work, documented in a portfolio;
• Laboratory exercises, documented in a portfolio;
• Three assignments, handed in and assessed.


Overview of Learning Resources

The following learning resources will be available:

  • Lecture notes, available via DLS;
  • Appropriate software, such as modeFRONTIER parametric optimisation program; ReSHAPE design improvement program; Hypermesh or Patran pre- and post-processor program.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will be by assessed assignments, a learning portfolio and a final examination.