Last Updated: 8/24/09

Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

School of Engineering & Applied Science

University of Virginia

MAE 4120 – Air Breathing Propulsion

Course Collab Site (restricted to enrolled students)

Instructor: R.J. Ribando, Assoc. Prof.

Office: 310 MEC

Phone: 924-6289

Office hours: When door open

e-mail: rjr@virginia.edu

Course: This course is intended mainly for 4^th year aerospace and mechanical engineers. In 4120 we apply fundamental principles of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics to gas turbines, with emphasis on aerospace propulsion, but also including “aero-derivative” stationary power generation equipment. We will review fluid mechanics, compressible gas dynamics and thermodynamics as we solve gas turbine and turbomachinery problems. We begin by discussing the gas power cycles as introduced in thermodynamics class. Then we proceed to individual components of gas turbines, including turbomachines, and analyze them separately. Finally the separate components will be integrated so that an entire system is analyzed. Lectures will amplify major points of the reading assignments as well as introduce complementary material.

Text: Flack, R.D., Fundamentals of Jet Propulsion with Applications, Cambridge University Press, 2005. ISBN 0-521-81983-0

Reference: Moran, M.J. and Shapiro, H.N., Fundamental of Engineering Thermodynamics, 6^th Ed., Wiley, 2008.

Fox, McDonald, and Pritchard, Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, 6^th Ed., 2006.

Class Meetings: MW 9:30 – 10:50, MEC 215 and 216

I.T. Requirements: Since we will be meeting in two of the ITC classrooms (MEC 215, and MEC214, both of which have had a few computer upgrades since these VR tours) and will, when appropriate, be using the computers, plan on having an active Collab account, Home Directory account (or other means to save work from class) and Eservices account.

We will be using Excel and its macro programming language (Visual Basic for Applications, VBA) a lot in this course. Even though the labs and classrooms have Office 2007 installed, ITC’s default “save” option remains Excel 2003 until further notice.

Our class this fall has been selected as one of three to test ITC’s proposed new software “virtualization” project. More details will be forthcoming; one immediate effect is that Mac users will be able to use VBA, which is not currently the case in the latest versions of Office for Macintosh’s.

Tests: Two tests are scheduled during the semester and will be representative of the homework assignments and in class projects. These tests are to be pledged and will be open book and notes. In some cases you will be permitted to use the spreadsheets that you personally have developed during the course or which the instructor provided to you. Solutions will be posted after the tests. The final exam will also be open book/notes and comprehensive. Several short, possibly Collab-administered, quizzes may also be given.

Homework: Approximately ten unpledged homework assignments will be assigned and collected during the semester. Many of these will be started in class and finished outside. These problem sets are intended to develop problem-solving techniques and to help students get the feel of the magnitudes of the different parameters. Usually about one week will be given for the completion of a problem set or project. One or two team mini-design projects are planned. Solutions to homework and selected other problems will be posted. Each problem set counts 100 points and problems will be weighted equally. Written homework should adhere to the following guidelines:

Begin each problem solution on a new page.
Use only one side of each sheet of paper.
Submit neat, logically organized solutions.
Show enough detail that numbers don’t appear out of nowhere.
If you are using CATT2, THProp or similar software, indicate what properties are input in order to get the output.
Include the fundamental equations you use in your writeup of the problem.
Take extreme care with units.
Include diagrams and sketches where appropriate
Use 8.5” x 11” paper and staple multiple sheets.
Complete the cover sheet (which will be provided).

For those assignments better adapted to spreadsheet implementation:

1. Spreadsheets are to be well-documented. You (and I) should be able to go back to them a month later and figure out what you did!

2. Spreadsheets will be submitted electronically through Collab.

3. The user should be able to change any of the input parameters and have the effects propagate through the entire calculation properly.

4. Graphical presentation is required in all cases. If in doubt, ask!

5. The name you give to your spreadsheet should indicate what it is for and its author, e.g., BraytonCycle-ParisHilton.xls.

6. The spreadsheet you submit should be Excel 2003-compatible.

7. You should change spreadsheet properties as appropriate.

Grading: We will not have a grader this semester, so grading of home works may at times be cursory. Solutions to all problems assigned will be posted to Collab. You are certainly welcome to drop by and discuss any problems with which you have difficulty and in many cases we will be working on them together in class. I will be grading exams and the final thoroughly myself.

Grades: The final grade will be determined as follows:

Homework/quizzes: 20

Tests: 40

Final Exam: 30

Your Wiki 5

Class Participation: 5 (Includes attendance)