Methods and Tools for Aerospace Design

Main Topics:

• Gaussian Quadrature
• Linear Algebraic Equations
• Roots of Equations
• Curve Fitting and Fourier Series
• Ordinary Differential Equations

Special Topics:

• Truss Solver
• Laplace Solver
• Panel Method
• Optimization
• Boundary Value Problems

A Few Excel Files for Sample Calculations:

• Density, Pressure, Temperature, and Speed of Sound at Various Altitudes
• Sample Thin Airfoil Theory Calculation
• Sample Lifting Line Theory Calculation
• Rate of Climb and Service Ceiling Calculations for a Propeller and a Jet Aircraft
• Range and Endurance Calculations for a Propeller Aircraft
• Joukowski Airfoil Generation and Lift Calculation

Public-domain Software on the Web:

Many well tested and sophisticated programs can be found in the public domain for performing most of the basic numerical calculations, e.g., curve fitting, solving algebraic equations, optimization, and solving ordinary differential equations. The best place to begin your search for software is the GAMS website.

Text Processing:

We will use LaTex for all of our technical writing. See the "Quick LaTex Guide" for help.

Instructions for Report Writing

MATLAB:

• We will use MATLAB for some of our computing and graphing. See the "MATLAB Manual" for help.
• You can also see a brief MATLAB help in powerpoint.

• For help in graphing by using MATLAB, see the Quick Graphing Guide.

• For a "live" demo of SIMULINK, go to MATLAB's demo page and click the link Constructing Models, under the heading Product Feature Examples.