Aerospace Propulsion (MCEN90047)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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This subject will cover the aerodynamics and thermodynamics of aircraft gas turbines and rockets and provide the tools to design and evaluate the performance of jet engines. It will also present the current environmental impacts of aviation and paths for more sustainable aviation.

Topics include:

  • Understanding the requirements and background of jet engines, in particular how the requirements translate to the design of an engine.
  • An overview of the key aerodynamical aspects of aircraft relevant to the propulsion system and how jet engines create thrust.
  • Engine performance parameters. These are discussed in the context of thermal, cycle and propulsive efficiencies.
  • Principles and layouts of jet engines. Different classes of engines will be looked at, such as turbojets, turbofans, and bypass ratios, turbine inlet temperature will be discussed.
  • Fundamentals of compressible flow relevant to jet engines will be discussed, including stagnation quantities and choked nozzles.
  • Dimensional analysis and non-dimensional variables of engines.
  • How to configure compressors and turbines, with consideration of blade profiles, flow coefficient, cooling and losses.
  • Environmental impacts of aviation and challenges and strategies for more sustainable aviation.
  • Rocket propulsion: what are the performance parameters and what are the benefits of staging?

Intended learning outcomes

Having completed this subject it is expected that the student be able to:

  • Apply fundamental concepts to perform preliminary design and assessment of performance for an aircraft gas turbine.
  • Recognise the challenges associated with gas turbine and rocket technology and appreciate the broad applicability of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics within mechanical and aerospace engineering.
  • Identify the key parameters affecting engine performance.
  • Design engine components using preliminary design software
  • Recognise environmental challenges of aviation and understand ways to mitigate those challenges.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following skills -

 

  • The ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution.
  • The ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance.
  • The ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution.
  • The ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

All of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MCEN90008 Fluid Dynamics
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MCEN90015 Thermodynamics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Assignment 1 (approximately 40-45h per assignment)

  • 20 pages
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass each of the assignments in order to pass this subject.		Week 750%

Assignment 2 (approximately 40-45h per assignment)

  • 20 pages
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass each of the assignments in order to pass this subject.		End of semester50%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours2 hours lectures and 2 hour tutorial each week
    Total time commitment200 hours
    Teaching period24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023
    Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023
    Census date31 August 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail22 September 2023
    Assessment period ends17 November 2023

    Semester 2 contact information

    Richard Sandberg

    richard.sandberg@unimelb.edu.au

Additional delivery details

This subject is available as elective in MC-ENG (Mechanical) and MC-ENG (Mechatronics)

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Jet Propulsion, 3rd Edition (Nicolas Cumpsty and Andrew Heyes), Cambridge Press.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025