Overview Outcomes Courses Admission
Modern Aerospace Structures
NEXT START DATE: September 25, 2024
Application opens early September 2024
LOCATION
In-person or Online
DURATION
12 months
TIMES
Evenings
TOTAL COST
$19,720 (estimated)
Program overview
This certificate program will give you a solid foundation for designing and analyzing modern aerospace structures. You'll cover general concepts, theory, and applications of solid mechanics, including elastic, plastic, and viscoelastic constitutive equations applied to practical examples. You'll learn finite element (FE) theory for structural analysis, diving into element technology, interpolating functions, constructing element stiffness matrices, and assembly. You'll apply this theory using commercial FE software.
The program covers analyzing fatigue behavior of metallic aerostructures, acquainting you with structural integrity and durability concepts. Finally, subject matter experts from academia and industry will present and discuss design examples of practical aircraft components and structures.
Designed for working professionals
If you want to learn how to leverage the outstanding properties of modern advanced materials in structural design, this certificate is for you.
Learn online or in-person
You can choose to attend classes either online or in person each week. Classroom sessions are held at the UW Seattle campus. Online classes are streamed live via web conferencing, and all sessions are recorded for later review.
Learning outcomes
- Obtain fundamental knowledge on mechanical behavior of engineering materials in elastic, plastic, and viscoelastic states.
- Develop an understanding of the Finite Element Method for analyzing deflection and stress/strain response in aerospace structures.
- Gain in-depth understanding of metallic materials under fatigue loading and master the use of analysis tools for predicting failure of aerospace structures caused by fatigue crack propagation.
- Obtain practical tools for stress analysis and design of aircraft structures.
- Consider the ethical and safety implications in engineering practice, including proper documentation of analysis methods, disclosure of assumptions and limitations, and consideration of potential risks to human safety and the environment.
Courses
Complete the courses listed below to earn the certificate. You may be able to take individual courses without enrolling in the certificate program.
Mechanics of Solids
AE 540 (4cr)
Covers general concepts, theory, and application of solid mechanics; mechanical behavior of elastic, plastic and viscoelastic solids; fracture of aerospace structural materials.
Finite Element Analysis
AE 541 (4cr)
Covers theory and application of the finite element methods; element types, stiffness matrix and solution procedures; and solution of elasticity, thermal conduction, and other practical problems in aerospace engineering.
Fatigue and Fracture
AE 542 (4 cr)
Covers theory of failure for metallic aerospace structures; fatigue properties, fatigue load spectrum, fatigue crack propagation, fracture mechanics, damage tolerance, fretting and corrosion fatigue, design applications, and case studies.
Aircraft Structural Design and Analysis
- culminating experience (pending final approval)
AE 54X (4 cr)
Applied design and analysis of aircraft structures including advanced design concepts, failure theories and interaction methods, buckling and crippling of columns, plates and panels, design optimization, aircraft structures under tensile, compressive, shear, and combined loads fasteners, joints, fittings, and lugs. Durability and damage tolerance are also included.
Application requirements
You will need to submit a resume or curriculum vitae, an unofficial transcript with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point-average, and a statement of purpose.