Projects and experiments in Aerospace Engineering

It is safe to say that one of the highlights throughout an engineering degree are the projects and experiments. They serve the purpose of consolidating the theoretical knowledge you have learnt in lectures and allow you to apply it in a physical application, whether that be through labs or coursework. For me, personally, I’m always excited at the start of a new semester to find out what coursework I will have, and I wanted to share some of the important, but also fun, projects included in an Aerospace Engineering degree at Birmingham.

Wind tunnel

One of, if not the most, well known labs in aerospace is experimenting using a wind tunnel. Whether it be studying relationships between lift coefficient and angle of attack or looking into stall for an aerofoil, wind tunnels provide the opportunity to simulate common aircraft conditions and run tests to obtain and analyse data. Wind tunnel testing is an essential part of aerodynamics and is a skill which is easily transferrable to industry.

At Birmingham, wind tunnel testing is one of the most anticipated projects for all Aerospace Engineering students. Whilst studying aerodynamics, students have the opportunity to test aerofoils to examine how lift and drag vary with increasing angle of attack, allowing for the analysis of different graphs and results. Due to its direct link to lecture content, it holds a fundamental purpose within the degree.

Material tests

Shared with other engineering disciplines, material tests are important for understanding the different behaviour exhibited during tension or compression. Material tests are gone over briefly during A-Levels, but at Birmingham, you get the chance to deeper understand the significance they hold within both aerospace and engineering as a whole.

CAD projects

Computer-Aided Design, or simply CAD, is a skill which you become familiar with during an engineering degree. It allows for you to create detailed concept designs for different components or objects but also test how different materials would perform for the required application. Every product today and every engineering solution utilises CAD in some way, so it is important that you learn it during university.

At Birmingham, CAD is incorporated into different projects and coursework, regardless of the degree. In aerospace specifically, I had the opportunity to design a 3U CubeSat satellite using CAD. This project set out strict requirements for me to follow, whilst allowing creative freedom. It combined different engineering skills such as critical thinking, creativity and material selection, and I would say it is my favourite project so far at Birmingham.

I also wanted to say that there is a lot of support and opportunity to learn skills such as CAD. Up until this project I struggled with CAD in my projects, but through the support of my lecturers and dedicating time to improving, I was able to familiarise myself with it.

IDP

IDP, Integrated Design Project, is a semester long module, which focuses on a themed piece of coursework which you either complete individually or as a group. This is a shared engineering module and is good for working with engineers studying different degrees. Additionally, it tests skills which other modules usually don’t, particularly workshop skills and using different tools. Projects which I have completed during IDP range from designing a linear actuator, modelling and creating a bridge and modelling a stair lift. IDP looks much more at the design side of engineering, and growing the practical skills involved in engineering.

To conclude, there are a variety of projects and experiments which aerospace students undertake at Birmingham, each focused on a different practical skill for you to learn in preparation for industry. Other projects include thermodynamic tests and electrical lab tests, which are similar to the previously mentioned ones, and they all hold indisputable value during your degree.