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Aerospace and Automotive Design Research

The main theme of this research cluster is Aerospace and Automotive Engineering Design using contemporary computational and virtual reality approaches and techniques. This encompasses the following key disciplinary areas representing the enabling knowledge for design: design and optimisation methods, dynamics, vibrations and control, structures, materials and manufacturing.

Both Aerospace and Automotive applications share common design objectives and constraints and are frequently developed within the same design space. For example, the computational environment used in such applications is based on precisely the same techniques, such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Optimisation (eg. Evolutionary Algorithms, Simulated Annealing).

The challenge here is typically to model complex and frequently non-linear systems and structures to emulate and simulate possible operating conditions under a wide range of scenarios in order to allow for more intelligent design and optimisation of these increasingly sophisticated technologies. In addition, materials and structures research for aerospace and automotive applications is typically concerned with the investigation of new and improved materials, for example with respect to strength to weight ratio, durability, manufacturability, noise and vibration harshness, etc.

An underlying focus of this cluster in the following period will be to attempt to integrate the different computational environments and techniques described above in order to achieve more intelligent and efficient products and processes through more effective development cycles in order to assist the Australian aerospace and automotive industry in their efforts to become more sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace.

Some of the main strategic directions identified by researchers of this cluster include:

  • Complex multi-objective and multi-constrained optimisation of aerospace and automotive structures and systems where the challenge is to minimise cost, weight, size and improve performance;
  • Development and integration of virtual reality environments for rapid product and process design in aerospace and automotive domains, where the challenge is to address real problems and requirements without having to develop physical prototypes and infrastructure in the first instance;
  • Dynamic modelling, identification and control of complex systems for aerospace and automotive applications for autonomous operation with reduced human input;
  • Advancement of polymeric composite materials utilisation for multi-functional application in aerospace and automotive industry;
  • Modelling, simulation and optimisation of manufacturing processes for cost-reduction and sustainability of aerospace and automotive industry;
  • Development of inclusive design methods through integration of human factors, sustainability (economic, social, environmental) and knowledge based engineering within the design and development cycles of new generation vehicles.

This work is underpinned by the industry recognised capabilities and relevant expertise of the Team in the following areas of the Aircraft and Automotive Design and Analysis:

  • Dynamic modelling, optimisation, control and simulation of complex systems for aeronautical, space and automotive applications;
  • Conceptual aircraft configuration design and analysis;
  • Structural design and stress analysis, durability and damage tolerance analysis, and finite element modelling;
  • Aeroelastic design analysis and aerodynamic loading;
  • Mechanical systems design and analysis;
  • Vehicle crashworthiness design and analysis;
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling of HVAC, propulsion systems and other processes;
  • Noise Vibration Harshness analysis.

The Research Team intends to capitalise on the established research network with Aerospace and Automotive industry both in Australia and internationally. This enables the Cluster as part of the on-going process to discuss current results and achievements and to verify its strategic directions. Efficiency of the communication with Aerospace and Automotive design organisations has been already evidenced by the regular Industry meetings and Advisory Boards, including the Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre for Aerospace Design Technology Advisory Board and the Global Industry Advisory Board incorporating representatives from leading industrial aerospace and automotive organisations. This research has been supported by substantial funding from Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures, Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Automotive Technologies and Cooperative Research Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing Systems & Technology and DMTC.

Group members

  • Profesor Aleksandar Subic
  • Professor Adrian Mouritz
  • Professor Graham Clark
  • Professor Jiyuan Tu
  • Professor Pavel Trivailo
  • Professor John Mo
  • Professor Sabu John
  • Professor Simon Watkins
  • Professor Chun Wang
  • Associate Professor Javid Bayandor
  • Associate Professor Cees Bil
  • Dr Jon Watmuff
  • Dr Xu Wang
  • Dr Jie Yang
  • Dr Martin Leary
  • Dr Firoz Alam
  • Dr Adrian Orifici

More information

The Aerospace and Automotive Design research strength is affiliated with the Platform Technologies Research Institute.


Back to the College of Science, Engineering and Health research strengths page.