Award Date

5-2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Materials and Nuclear Engineering

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Committee Member

Brendan O'Toole, Chair

Second Committee Member

William Culbreth

Third Committee Member

Zhiyong Wang

Graduate Faculty Representative

Samaan Ladkany

Number of Pages

130

Abstract

This project called for a first-generation prototype aircraft with hovering capabilities that was lightweight. The focus of this study was to design a small low-cost prototype composite airframe that meets specified requirements, analyze structures using finite element analysis and mechanical testing, and construct a prototype using proven composite manufacturing techniques. One fuselage, one wing, and several engine nacelles were designed and fabricated. Several design and fabrication methods and materials were analyzed, with focus given to the nacelles, and recommendations were provided for the manufacture of the first generation airframe based on time, weight, and cost.

Keywords

Aerospace engineering; Airframes--Design and construction; Carbon composites; Composite materials; Materials science

Disciplines

Aerospace Engineering | Materials Science and Engineering | Structures and Materials

File Format

pdf

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Comments

Signatures have been redacted for privacy and security measures.

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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