Table of Contents
- 1 What type of problems do aerospace engineers solve?
- 2 What is fatigue in aircraft structures?
- 3 What are the working conditions of a aerospace engineer?
- 4 What happens when you have fatigue?
- 5 What do aerospace engineers do on a daily basis?
- 6 What is it like working as an aerospace engineer?
- 7 What is fatigue engineering?
- 8 What is fatigue life of an aircraft?
- 9 What is fatigue damage on an aircraft?
- 10 Why is it important for aerospace engineers to understand fatigue resistance?
What type of problems do aerospace engineers solve?
An aerospace engineer designs, tests, and manages the manufacturing of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They also test prototypes to make sure they function properly according to design, and develop new technologies to be used in space exploration, aviation, and defense systems.
What is fatigue in aircraft structures?
Fatigue is a common occurrence among all metal airframes. Due to the repeated flight cycles and frequent use, the metal elements of planes become weakened over time, and they will eventually require attention and repair. This weakness manifests in cracks, which are microscopic at first.
What type of work do aerospace engineers do?
Aerospace engineers are employed in industries in which workers design or build aircraft, missiles, systems for national defense, or spacecraft. They work primarily for firms that engage in manufacturing, analysis and design, research and development, and for the federal government.
What are the working conditions of a aerospace engineer?
Working Conditions Most aerospace engineers work a standard 40-hour week. At times, deadlines or design standards may bring extra pressure to a job. When this happens, engineers may work long hours and experience considerable stress. Most Aerospace Engineers work indoors, in an office setting.
What happens when you have fatigue?
Fatigue is a term used to describe an overall feeling of tiredness or lack of energy. It isn’t the same as simply feeling drowsy or sleepy. When you’re fatigued, you have no motivation and no energy. Being sleepy may be a symptom of fatigue, but it’s not the same thing.
What governs the ultimate fatigue life of an aircraft?
“Aircraft lifespan is established by the manufacturer,” explains the Federal Aviation Administration’s John Petrakis, “and is usually based on takeoff and landing cycles.
What do aerospace engineers do on a daily basis?
Aerospace engineers use their skills to design, create and maintain aircraft, spacecraft, missiles and more. Their daily responsibilities can include: Conducting tests on prototypes. Adjusting aerodynamic systems to improve flight results.
What is it like working as an aerospace engineer?
Often, aerospace engineers work in office settings to plan and design aircraft and spacecraft, write reports and meet with stakeholders and other engineers. Aerospace engineers typically work a full-time, 40-hour workweek, but they might work more depending on the demands of their jobs or project deadlines.
What are the major job responsibilities of a aerospace engineer?
Aerospace Engineer
- Develop new designs for use in aviation, defense systems, and space exploration.
- Work on designs for commercial aircraft, military fighter jets, helicopters, spacecraft, or missiles and rockets.
- Construct prototypes.
- Test and supervise the manufacture of aircraft, spacecraft, and missiles.
What is fatigue engineering?
Fatigue is defined as a process of progressive localized plastic deformation occurring in a material subjected to cyclic stresses and strains at high stress concentration locations that may culminate in cracks or complete fracture after a sufficient number of fluctuations.
What is fatigue life of an aircraft?
The safe/fatigue life of a structure is the number of events during which there is a low probability that the strength will degrade below its design ultimate value due to fatigue cracking. The events may be flights, flight hours, landings, pressure cycles or engine cycles.
What is the aircraft fatigue and fracture mechanics course?
This unique course has been designed and developed to meet the needs of design and maintenance engineers in designing, analysing and maintaining aircraft It presents the basic fundamentals of fatigue and fracture mechanics, as well as practical methods and case studies for meeting the durability and damage tolerance requirements.
What is fatigue damage on an aircraft?
The damage caused by fatigue is often a single crack in a metal component and ultrafine cracks in a composite structure, and these are not easily seen during visual inspection of aircraft. Fatigue damage can grow undetected until the material fails suddenly and without warning.
Why is it important for aerospace engineers to understand fatigue resistance?
It is essential that aerospace engineers understand the fatigue resistance of materials. Fatigue resistance is the ability of structural materials to maintain an acceptable level of strength under fluctuating stress conditions.
What is thermal fatigue in aerospace?
Thermal fatigue usually occurs in materials required to operate over a large temperature range, such as jet engine components, heat shields and rocket motor nozzles. It is essential that aerospace engineers understand the fatigue resistance of materials.