Fundamentals of Lightweight Design

Whether in aerospace, wind energy technology, classical mechanical engineering or medical technology, Lightweight Design is important everywhere. It requires a technical understanding that goes beyond individual disciplines. In order to achieve the goal of building the lightest possible, resource-optimized, technical structures, a sound knowledge of the interrelationships underlying lightweight construction is important.

The course "Fundamentals of Lightweight Design" covers the basic concepts of Lightweight Design. Starting with Lightweight Design strategies and construction methods, a consideration of lightweight materials and the methods for quantified material selection is given. Plastics and fiber-reinforced plastics are considered in detail. Finally, concepts of structural analysis of lightweight construction are considered with a special focus on stability problems of thin-walled structures. This will be accompanied by computer exercises and practical laboratory work.

The course is aimed at all students of the bachelor's degree programs in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, mechatronics and biomedical engineering who wish to gain a fundamental understanding of lightweight construction concepts and fiber composites.

Course Description

Lecturer: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Philipp Weißgraeber and colleagues

Course contents:

  • Lightweight construction strategies and methods
  • Lightweight materials
    • Introduction
    • Key figures for material selection
    • Metallic materials
    • Plastics
    • Fiber-reinforced plastic composites
  • Mechanical behavior of fiber-reinforced composites
  • Structural mechanics basics
  • Stability problems

Teaching and learning methods: Lecture 2 SWS, tutorial 2 SWS

Credit points: 6

Examination requirements: none

Type and extent of examination: written, 60 minutes

Permitted aids: calculator, writing material, collection of formulas (one A4 site, handwritten)

Literature:

  • Lecture notes
  • Wiedemann, J.: Leichtbau, Springer-Verlag
  • Klein, B.: Leichtbau-Konstruktion, Vieweg-Verlag
  • Bergmann, W.: Werkstofftechnik, Hanser-Verlag
  • Neitzel, M.: Handbuch der Verbundwerkstoffe, Hanser-Verlag
  • Ashby, M.: Materials Selection In Mechanical Design, Butterworth-Heinemann

Courses Overview

Summer semester:

Winter semester:

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