Date of Award
6-2014
Document Type
Union College Only
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Andrew Rapoff
Language
English
Keywords
airframe, design, aerodynamics, prototype
Abstract
A highly efficient airframe was designed in preparation for the 2014 SAE Aero East Design Challenge. The competition is scheduled to take place in Marietta, GA from the 11th to the 13th of April. The aerodynamic outline of the airplane was generated through extensive fluid mechanics analysis and review of established winning strategies. To construct the aerodynamic forms, load analyses were performed on the wing, fuselage, tail boom, and tail. Using the results of these studies, the best combination of wooden and aluminum components was established. All parts of the airplane were refined numerous times to arrive at the most efficient airframe, in terms of strength, weight, machinability, and cost. This year’s Union College Aero team was the first one to build and test a fully functional prototype between the first and second academic terms of the year. The final design will attempt to outperform all other 75 teams that are going to enter the competition.
Recommended Citation
Garabedian, Nikolay; Herzog, Adam; Hojnacki, Richard; and States, Evan, "Airframe Design for 2014 Union College SAE Aero Design Challenege" (2014). Honors Theses. 523.
https://digitalworks.union.edu/theses/523