Last Updated: 8/13/08

Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

School of Engineering & Applied Science

University of Virginia

MAE 412 – Air Breathing Propulsion

Course Collab Site (restricted to enrolled students)

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

Office: 310 MEC

Phone: 924-6289

e-mail: rjr@virginia.edu

Course: This course is intended mainly for 4^th year aerospace and mechanical engineers. In 412 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, 5^th Ed., Wiley, 2004.

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

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

I.T. Requirements: Since we will be meeting in one of the ITC classrooms (MEC 215, which has had a few computer upgrades since this VR tour) 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.

ITC has switched all its labs and classrooms to Office 2007 this summer and so we will be using Excel 2007 in the classroom for the first time this fall. ITC’s default “save” option will remain Excel 2003 until further notice. You may want to download and install SpreadsheetWorld’s ThermoFluids toolbox on your own computer as we will be using it occasionally in the classroom.

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. 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 should be able to go back to them a month later and figure out what you did!

2. Spreadsheets will be submitted electronically through Collabs.

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., Brayton-PHilton.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)