A Redesigned Physical Laboratory Approach to Aerospace Engineering Structure Education

This paper presents a redesign of the MAE 372 Aerospace Structures Laboratory at North Carolina State University (NCSU), incorporating both traditional laboratory demonstrations and an integrated student project to enhance hands-on learning. The redesign aligns with Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)’s emphasis on engineering education that bridges theoretical learning and practical, real-world experiences. In the redesigned laboratory, students participate in four laboratory demonstrations focused on fundamental structural concepts, followed by a student-led project in which they design and test stiffened panels. A new feature of this redesign is the use of a portable test apparatus for three of the laboratories, streamlining the laboratory setup and reducing costs, providing comparable accuracy between experimental results and theory. The paper outlines the structure of the course, the methodology for redesigning the laboratories, and the educational benefits of the new approach. Cost analyses of equipment and materials are also included, making this paper a valuable resource for educators aiming to implement similar lab redesigns.