Aircraft Structural Materials and Fracture

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 1. demonstrate knowledge of modern aerospace structural materials and their selection for various aircraft components; 2. exhibit ability to use engineering science tools such as advanced mathematics and stress analysis; 3. show ability to perform stress and deformation analysis on common structural forms found on aerospace structures; 4. demonstrate knowledge of failure criteria for engineering materials; and 5. ahow ability to design simple aerospace structures to support mechanical loads.

General concepts of stress and strain. One, two- and three-dimensional stress and strain. Elastic deformation of metals: principles of stresses and strains in metals. Complex stresses on two planes at right angles. Mohr’s circle. Principal stresses and strains. Maximum shear stresses. Distortion energy and yield criteria. Application of Mohr’s circle for analysis of stress and strain. Tensor analysis of stresses and strains. Tensile response of materials; simple tensile and shear structures.Introduction to mechanical properties of materials commonly used in the aircraft structures, materials failure and structure inspections. Properties of aluminum alloys, titanium steels, composite materials, fractures, fatigues, corrosions and NDT. At the end of the course, students are expected to have basic knowledge on choosing materials for aircraft structures.