Course Title: Aerospace Materials

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Aerospace Materials

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: TBC

Course Coordinator Phone: -

Course Coordinator Email: TBC

Course Coordinator Location: email for appointment

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None.


Course Description

This course provides you with the skills required to assist the design process of aerospace structures and components considering the broad range of engineering materials available. You will learn both qualitative and quantitative methods of materials selection. You will also study the main properties, domain of application and fabrication processes of aerospace materials, with a particular emphasis on lightweight alloys and composite materials. You will investigate the impact of different materials in critical areas pertaining to the operation of aircraft, such as structural integrity (including prevention methods), airworthiness requirements (including testing and maintenance), sustainability/recyclability issues and cost effectiveness. Furthermore, you will be exposed to state-of-the-art materials topics (e.g., nanomaterials and smart materials), and assess pathways for the development of aerospace structures and components with optimised features.

Please note that if you take this course for a bachelor honours program, your overall mark in this course will be one of the course marks that will be used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. This applies to students who commence enrolment in a bachelor honours program from 1 January 2016 onwards. See the WAM information web page for more information.(http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=eyj5c0mo77631 (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=eyj5c0mo77631))


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course Contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) for the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours):

1. Knowledge and Skill Base

1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline

1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline

1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline

1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline

2. Engineering Application Ability

2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving

2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources

2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes


3. Professional and Personal Attributes

3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains

3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour

3.4 Professional use and management of information

3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership


Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  1. Apply qualitative and quantitative methods in the selection of materials as a fundamental step in the design phase of aerospace structures and components;
  2. Evaluate the properties, performance and applicable domain of typical aerospace materials;
  3. Describe the main damage and failure mechanisms affecting different types of aerospace materials and propose adequate prevention or mitigation actions;
  4. Critically discuss the influence of different materials in the initial and continuous airworthiness of aircraft, observing the applicable professional practices and existing standards;
  5. Select the best fabrication and manufacturing processes to meet the design and operation requirements of aircraft structures and components;
  6. Identify alternative and viable materials in light of recent concerns towards the sustainability and recyclability issues of modern aircraft from a global perspective;
  7. Demonstrate awareness of recent scientific and technological developments in the field of aerospace materials, and assess their potential to enhance the performance of aircraft in near future (e.g. smart-materials, nano-materials, functionally graded materials, new alloys and fabrication processes);


Overview of Learning Activities

Weekly lectures will introduce you to the key theoretical concepts that are further illustrated through worked examples. Regular tutorials will require you to apply theory to problems that have been specifically aligned with the lecture content for that week.

You will be required to complete assignments / quizzes as part of the assessment for this course. These are closely aligned with questions presented in the lectures and tutorials and are intended to support the ongoing/progressive learning throughout the semester. You should use these as opportunities to test your comprehension of key concepts.


Overview of Learning Resources

Course-related resources (inclusive of weekly lecture slides, Lecture recordings, tutorials and tutorial solutions, assignments and related readings) will be provided on the course Canvas website, which is accessed through myRMIT. This can include lecture material, tutorials and references.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment 1: Quizzes
Weighting 10%
This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6

Assessment 2: Class Test 1
Weighting 20%
This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment 3: Assignment 1
Weighting 20%
This assessment supports CLOs 4, 5, 6, 7

Assessment 4: Final Assessment
Weighting 50%
This assessment supports CLOs 1-6