Discipline Groups
Research and academics are organized into discipline groups.
Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics include the study of the overall aerodynamic properties of vehicles and the performance of air-breathing engines, rockets, propellers and rotors. The School of Aerospace Engineering is conducting cutting-edge research that leads to improved understanding of the detailed physical phenomena that control these flows. Please visit the directory for faculty working in this field.
Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics
The field of aeroelasticity deals with interactions among aerodynamics, structural mechanics, and dynamic phenomena. The closely related field of structural dynamics examines interactions between structural mechanics and dynamics. At Georgia Tech, research in aeroelasticity and structural dynamics (ASD) spans the areas of fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft as well as spacecraft. Please visit the directory for faculty working in this field.
Flight Mechanics and Controls
Control engineering is concerned with modifying the behavior of dynamical systems such as advanced high performance tactical fighter aircraft, large flexible space structures, and variable-cycle gas turbine aeroengines to achieve desired goals. Research in the School concentrates on three approaches: fixed architecture control, robust control and adaptive and neuro-fuzzy control. Please visit the directory for faculty working in this field.
Propulsion and Combustion
The propulsion and combustion (PC) group conducts basic and applied research in a wide variety of areas. Specific projects include active control of unsteady phenomena in turbine engine combustors and liquid-fueled rocket engines; microgravity combustion; development of nonintrusive, optical-based diagnostic and sensor techniques; measurement and control of soot and particulate emissions; underwater explosions; combustion mechanisms of composite solid propellants, focusing on modern energetic ingredients used in solid rockets and missiles; pulse combustion; and efficient modeling of realistic, turbulent, single- or two-phase combustion systems using large eddy simulations. Please visit the directory for faculty working in this field.
Structural Mechanics and Materials
This group offers graduate studies and research in structural mechanics and material behavior (SMM) of aero-structures. Specific areas include computational mechanics, composite structures, fracture and fatigue, damage tolerance and failure prediction, experimental mechanics, thermal and environmental effects and non-destructive evaluation, structural stability (buckling/postbuckling), adaptive structures, structural health monitoring, and system identification. Please visit the directory for faculty working in this field.
System Design and Optimization
Design encompasses a spectrum of aerospace-related fields including traditional aerospace disciplines (structures, propulsion, aerodynamics, controls, acoustics, etc.), performance (mission analysis, payload, etc.), and life-cycle interests (economics, manufacturing maintainability, supportability, etc.). Overall, a designer tries to achieve performance goals and customer and engineering requirements in the presence of conflict and uncertainty. The long-range vision of the graduate research effort is to develop a virtual design environment that permits a designer to easily make the decisions leading to robust aerospace solutions. Please visit the directory for faculty working in this field.
Sustainable Energy Systems
The faculty in the School of Aerospace Engineering are actively conducting research in the field of sustainable energy systems. The foundations of aerospace engineering - aerodynamics, heat transfer, structures and materials, structural dynamics and aeroelasticity, turbomachinery, combustion, and multidisciplinary design of complex systems - are being applied in a synergistic interdisciplinary fashion to cutting edge research on sustainable energy systems. The areas of research include wind energy, micro-renewable energy systems, next generation bio-fuels and syngas, advanced low emission combustors, fuel injectors, advanced compressors and turbines, multifunctional materials, and modeling and design of complex power grid systems. The faculty also offer electives at the undergraduate and graduate level in these areas. Please visit the directory for faculty working in this field.
