Course - Lightweight Design - TMM4175
TMM4175 - Lightweight Design
About
Examination arrangement
Course content
Weight reduction of components and structures is becoming ever more important for many industries where energy efficiency combined with low weight and minimal material consumption are key factors for success. Structures optimized for low weight introduces several challenges: Performance in the context of safety, reliability and durability must still be maintained, while design and analysis of such structures tend to be increasingly demanding. Lightweight design is often associated with an extensive use of composite materials and laminated structures, which adds to the complexity of the design and analysis. A major part of the course is therefore focused on fiber composite materials as well as laminates and sandwich structures, including: Physical, mechanical, thermal and chemical properties of thermosets, thermoplastics and common fibers such as glass, carbon and aramid as well as core materials for sandwich structures, theory and applications of material models for anisotropic behavior, laminate theory and its applications including laminate optimization methods, failure and damage mechanisms and methods for failure prediction, failure criteria, damage analysis and common test methods for composites. More generic aspects of design and analysis include: Analytical solutions and estimates for simple structures such as plates, beams and tubulars, design principles of light weight composite structures, finite element modeling and analysis of composite structures where the objective is optimization with respect to low weight, comparison of composites design solutions to other solutions using relevant metals for lightweight design, structural interaction and metal to composite joints, material selection and manufacturing methods. Computational methods and numerical solutions using simple coding are emphasized for most of the topics, supported by a comprehensive collection of examples, procedures and functions written in Python.
Learning outcome
Knowledge: The candidate has specialized knowledge of composite materials and applications for lightweight design and the design and engineering principles including, fundamental relations, analysis methods, materials selection, and manufacturing methods.
Skills: The candidate can do basic engineering and optimization of lightweight components and products made of composites and relevant metal alloys. The candidate can do preliminary material selection, material evaluation, simple mechanical analysis and failure analysis using fundamental relations for the materials and structures and is able to conduct basic finite element analysis of composite structures. The candidate can suggest and evaluate relevant manufacturing methods.
General competence: The candidate can communicate technological topics related to lightweight design solutions using composite materials and can evaluate the feasibility of proposed solutions. The candidate is aware of the possibilities, limitations and challenges related to lightweight design and composite materials.
Learning methods and activities
Lectures, exercises, experiments, demonstrations and project work. Teams for the project works will be established at the beginning of the semester. The lectures and exercises are in English. As the teaching is given in English the Examination papers will be given in English only.
Further on evaluation
Portfolio assessment is the basis for 49% of the grade in the course. The portfolio includes project work that shall produce 5 reports counting 10% each. Deadlines for submission of reports are spaced with approximately 3 weeks during the semester where the problem descriptions and content includes central aspects from recent topics, including experimental work. Feedback on the report will be given within 2 weeks following the deadline of the report, where at detailed schedule for deadlines will be given at startup. Two hours weekly is dedicated to supervision. The project work shall preferably be conducted as collaboration in small groups while individual submissions can be granted. Project groups are created at startup. All five reports count in the total grade (49%) along with the final examination (51%).
If there is as re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral. For a re-take of an examination, all assessments during the course must be re-taken.
Recommended previous knowledge
TKT4116 Mechanics 1 or similar, TKT4122 Mechanics 2 or similar.
Required previous knowledge
Basic materials technology course.
Course materials
https://folk.ntnu.no/nilspv/TMM4175/
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIO2067 | 7.5 |
Version: 1
Credits:
7.5 SP
Study level: Second degree level
Term no.: 1
Teaching semester: SPRING 2025
Language of instruction: English
Location: Trondheim
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Materials and Processes - Plastics Technology
- Technological subjects
Department with academic responsibility
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Examination
Examination arrangement: Aggregate score
- Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
- Spring ORD School exam 51/100 D 2025-05-24 09:00 INSPERA
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Room Building Number of candidates SL311 grønn sone Sluppenvegen 14 22 - Spring ORD Portfolio 49/100 A
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Room Building Number of candidates - Summer UTS School exam 51/100 D INSPERA
-
Room Building Number of candidates
- * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"