På Svenska

SD2411 Lightweight Structures and FEM 8.0 credits

Lättkonstruktioner och FEM

Foundations of structural mechanics, analysis of thin-walled stiffened shells, plates, stability theory and introduction to finite element methods.

  • Educational level

    Second cycle

  • Academic level (A-D)

    D

  • Subject area

  • Grade scale

    A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Course offerings

Autumn 13 for programme students

Autumn 13 for programme students

  • Periods

    Autumn 13 P1 (8.0 credits)

  • Application code

    50458

  • Start date

    02/09/2013

  • End date

    2013 week: 44

  • Language of instruction

    English

  • Campus

    KTH Campus

  • Number of lectures

  • Number of exercises

  • Tutoring time

    Daytime

  • Form of study

    Normal

  • Number of places

    No limitation

  • Schedule

    Schedule (new window)

  • Course responsible

    Stefan Hallström

  • Teacher

    Stefan Hallström

  • Target group

    Only for  students in  Cooperation with Science without Borders

Learning outcomes

 The course will give the student basic knowledge of the structural behaviour of beams, plates and shells, and the analysis and design of these types of structures, specifically, strength, stiffness, and weight issues for unstiffened and stiffened thin-walled structures.

After the course the student should be able to

  • explain the function and application of different structural elements in lightweight structures
  • from a given problem statement, chose an appropriate lightweight structural element with respect to functionality and weight
  • analyse and design thin-walled beams and stiffened shells with respect to strength, stiffness and structural stability
  • comfortably work with concepts from basic courses in solid mechanics, such as centre of gravity and moments of inertia, as well as more advanced concepts introduced in this course, such as shear flow, warping and different buckling mechanisms
  • describe the principles of finite element codes and use them for analysis of basic structural elements
  • write a small finite element code in MatLab and use it to analyse beam problems
  • explain discrepancies in results from different analytical methods through knowledge about the different approximations they involve

Course main content

Analysis of structural elements and design methods for lightweight structures. Introduction to the finite element method. Bending, shear, torsion and warping of open and closed thin-walled beams, with and without stiffeners. Kirchhoff plate theory. Local and global instability of beams and thin plates.

Eligibility

Calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, solid mechanics, strength of materials and basic computer programming skills. Some previous experience of FEM and Matlab programming is also beneficial but not formally required.

Literature

Megson, T.H.G., Aircraft structures for engineering students, 4th Edition, Edward Arnold 2007. (2nd or 3rd edition work too except for page and chapter references.)

Compendiums

Examination

  • LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 2.0 credits, grade scale: P, F
  • LAB2 - Laboratory Work, 2.0 credits, grade scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Examination, 4.0 credits, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

•  LAB1 - Laboratory Work, 2.0 credits, grade scale: P, F

•  LAB2 - Laboratory Work, 2.0 credits, grade scale: P, F

•  TEN1 - Examination, 4.0 credits, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Requirements for final grade

Written exam (TEN1; 4 credits), computer assignments (ÖVN1 and ÖVN2; 2+2 credits).

Offered by

SCI/Aeronautical and Vehicle Engineering

Examiner

Stefan Hallström, stefanha@kth.se, tel. 070-349 6440

Add-on studies

SD2413 Fibre Composites – Analysis and Design

SD2416 Structural Optimisation and Sandwich Design

SD2432 Lightweight Design

SD2450 Biomechanics and Neuronics

Version

Course plan valid from: Autumn 11.
Examination information valid from: Autumn 07.