Gas Dynamics Specialization

The field of gas dynamics, consisting of aerodynamics and propulsion, deals with the flow over bodies in flight through the atmosphere and space, and the combustion processes which provide the thrust that makes flight possible. The Department has a long history of excellence in the area of gas dynamics. A program in aeronautics at the University of Michigan was first offered by Professor H.C. Sadler and Assistant Professor Felix Pawlowski in 1914. This program was the first such program to be offered in any University in the United States. The gas dynamics specialization now includes: theoretical and applied aerodynamics at subsonic and supersonic speeds, propulsion, combustion processes, gas kinetics and real gas effects, electric propulsion, turbulent flow, compressible flow, viscous flow, experimental methods in gas dynamics and computational fluid dynamics.

Structural Mechanics Specialization

The field of structural mechanics deals with the study of structures involved in aerospace applications. These structures are extremely varied and present a great variety of engineering challenges. For example, space structures have to be extremely lightweight, airframe components have to be light and stiff, engine components have to survive a high temperature environment and so on. Exciting modern developments in structural mechanics are often motivated by aerospace industry needs, such as the advent of the finite element method in the early 1960's or the use of sophisticated composite materials in the present generation of aircraft. Structural mechanics include elasticity, plasticity, plates and shells, vibrations, aeroelasticity, finite element methods, structural stability, optimal design, fracture mechanics and composite materials.

Flight Dynamics and Control Systems Specializations

The field of flight dynamics and control deals with the motion of flight vehicles in the atmosphere and in space, as well as their guidance, navigation and control. The Department has a long history of excellence in the areas of flight dynamics and control systems. It was one of the first engineering departments to offer courses in automatic control, flight dynamics and simulation. The flight dynamics specialization has a strong aerospace emphasis and includes: classical dynamics, aircraft dynamics, dynamics of multi-body systems, astrodynamics, guidance and navigation, and control of flexible space structures. The control systems specialization has a strong systems orientation and includes: linear and nonlinear systems, optimization, control, stochastic processes and estimation theory; this specialization includes an emphasis on control theory as well as on applications to control of aerospace vehicles.