Syllabus

AEM 4602W

Aeromechanics Laboratory

4 Credits

 

Catalog Description:

 

Experimental methods and design in fluid and solid mechanics. Wind tunnel and water channel experiments involving flow visualization, pressure, velocity, and force measurements. Experimental measurement of stresses, strains, and displacements in solids and structures, including stress concentrations, aerospace materials behavior and structural dynamics. Computerized data acquisition and analysis, error analysis, data reduction techniques. Experimental design, written and oral lab reports. Laboratory ethics.

 

Course Web Address:

 

http://www.aem.umn.edu/courses/aem4602/

 

Prerequisites by Topic:

 

1. Laboratory Instrumentation (AEM 4601)
2. Fluid Mechanics (AEM 4201)
3. Structures (AEM 4501)
4. Freshman Composition (ENGC 1011)

 

Text:

 

Introduction to Engineering Experimentation, 2^nd edition, Wheeler and Ganji, Prentice Hall, 2004.

 

Format of Course:

 

2 hours of lecture per week, 4 hours of laboratory every other week

 

Computer Usage:

 

Data Acquisition programs (wind tunnels and mechanical testing machines)

Word Processor (student’s choice)

Spreadsheet (student’s choice)

 

Course Objectives:

 

Development of basic understanding of experimentation in fluid and solid mechanics and in structural vibrations and the relationship between theory and experiment in these areas. Development of oral and written communication skills and the ability to work in groups.

 

Course Outcomes:

 

Students who successfully complete the course will demonstrate the following outcomes by tests, homework, and written reports

 

1. Ability to conduct experiments using a wind tunnel.
2. Ability to conduct experiments using a water channel.
3. Ability to conduct experiments using a mechanical testing machine.
4. Ability to conduct experiments to determine structural frequency response.
5. An understanding of experimental data analysis.
6. An understanding of the relation between aerodynamic theory and practice
7. An understanding of the relation between structural theory and practice
8. An understanding of practical material behavior.
9. Ability to prepare a written report.
10. Ability to present an oral report.
11. Ability to work as part of a group.
12. An understanding of laboratory ethics

 

Relationship of course to program objectives:

 

This course develops the abilities to design and conduct experiments in the areas (fluids, solids and dynamics) important to aerospace engineers.

 

Relationship of course to program outcomes:

 

This course provides the following outcomes:

 

1. Apply mathematics
2. Design and conduct experiments
3. Multidisciplinary teamwork
4. Identify engineering problems
5. Ethics
6. Communication skills
7. Lifelong learning
8. Engineering tools
9. Aerodynamics
10. Materials
11. Structures

 

Course Outline:

 

Week	Topics	Laboratory
1	Introduction, Overview
2	Experimental Design, Dimensional Analysis
3	Force Measurements (lift and drag), Experimental Uncertainty	Wind Tunnel Force Measurements
4	Report Writing, Sampling, Data Acquisition	cont.
5	Velocity Measurements, hot-wire anemometry	Water Channel Flow Visualization/Wind Tunnel Hot Wire
6	Data Reduction and Analysis	cont.
7	Other measurement techniques in fluid mechanics	cont.
8	Material Properties and the tension test, Viscoelasticity	cont.
9	Viscoelasticity, Photoelasticity	Material Properties
10	Photoelasticity, Oral reports	cont.
11	Stress concentrations, Vibrations	Photoelasticity
12	Vibrations, Structural Dynamics	cont
13	Structural Dynamics	Structural Dynamics
14	Ethics: Case studies in laboratory practice	cont

 

Outcome Measurement:

 

Outcomes of this course are measured by 1 written report with iterative grading, 1 oral report and 1 or more additional written reports.

 

Student Survey Questions:

 

This course improved my ability to do the following:

 

1.      Ability to apply knowledge of math., science, and engineering.

2.      Ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data.

3.      An ability to use the techniques, skills, engineering tools necessary for modern engineering practice.

4.      Write a technical laboratory report.

5.      Present a technical oral report.

6.      Work as part of a small group.

 

Please answer the following questions regarding the course:

 

7.      The textbook and references were useful and appropriate for the course.

8.      The course was well organized.

9.      The content of the lectures complemented the laboratory sessions.

10.  The feedback on report writing was useful.

11.  The level of work required in this course was appropriate for the credit given

 

In this course, I acquired the following:

 

12.  Ability to conduct experiments using a wind tunnel and a water channel.

13.  Ability to conduct experiments using a mechanical testing machine.

14.  A knowledge of experimental design.

15.  A knowledge of uncertainty analysis.

16.  A better understanding of practical fluid flows.

17.  A better understanding of practical problems in solid mechanics.

18.  A better understanding of structural vibrations.

 

Last modified:

 

2007-6-13