Study Programmes 2015-2016
MECA0028-1  
Aeronautical structures
Duration :
30h Th, 20h Pr, 70h Proj.
Number of credits :
Master in aerospace engineering (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Ludovic Noels
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
The purpose of the lectures is to introduce the design of semi monocoque structures used in aeronautics. Three domains are studied:
  • Structural idealization: Analytical models of wing and fuselage based on thin-walled section beam.
  • Thin structures models: Theory and introduction to finite-element model of plates and shells.
  • Introduction to buckling of thin structures.
Learning outcomes of the course :
The student will have acquired the methodology required to conduct a preliminary study in the context of aircraft structures. In particular:
  • He will have a deep understanding of the thin-walled beams and thin structures theory and will be able to summary, compare and explain them.
  • He will have a deep understanding of the resolution methods of thin-walled beams and thin structures buckling problems, and will be able to summary, compare and explain them. He will also know their application range.
  • He will be able to apply the resolution methods to classical problems.
  • He will be able to analyse and to evaluate (justify and criticise) these methods.
  • He will be able to analyse new problems.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Good knowledge in
  • Solid mechanics
Elementary knowledge in
  • Finite-element method
  • Aerodynamics
Mastering Catia or a FE software
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Exercises and personal project. A major part or the totality of the personal project is achieved in the context of the APRI0004 class.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face to face
Recommended or required readings :
Assessment methods and criteria :
Evaluation is based on the realization of a project (30%) related to the design and/or modeling of a semi monocoque structure and on a written examination (70%). For the resit, if a grade of at least 10/20 has been given to the project, only the written examination will be redone.
Amajor part or the totality of the personal project is achieved in the context of the APRI0004 class. The grade of the related part of the APRI0004 project will be used for this class project grade.
The examination is based on the whole content of the class. Problems similar to the ones studied during the classes, and new problems will be part of the questions. Justification using the theoretical content is also asked.
Participation to the exam, to the guest lectures, and achievement of the project are mandatory.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
L. Noels (L.Noels@ulg.ac.be)
Items online :
Lecture notes
Lecture notes