Aerospace Engineering (AE)

The detailed syllabus for the subject of Aerospace Engineering for Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2022 is given below. Candidates must note that the topics are divided into two categories i.e. Core Topics and Special Topics. The corresponding sections of the question paper will contain 90% of their questions on Core Topics and 10% on Special Topics.

Section 1: Engineering Mathematics 

Core Topics

Linear Algebra: 

• Rank Of A Matrix
• Systems Of Linear Equations
• Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
• Matrix Algebra
• Vector Algebra

Calculus:

• Limits
• Functions of Single Variable
• Chain Rule
• Mean Value Theorem
• Continuity And Differentiability
• Gradient
• Maxima And Minima
• Partial Derivatives 
• Divergence And Curl
• Line
• Theorems of Stokes, Gauss and Green
• Directional Derivatives
• Surface And Volume Integrals
• Integration

Differential Equations: 

• Partial Differential Equations And Separation Of Variables Methods
• Higher Order Linear ODEs With Constant Coefficients
• First Order Linear And Nonlinear Differential Equations

Special Topics: 

• Laplace Transform
• Fourier Series
• Numerical Methods For Linear And Nonlinear Algebraic Equations
• Probability and Statistics
• Complex Analysis
• Numerical Integration and Differentiation

Section 2: Flight Mechanics 

Core Topics

Basics

Atmosphere:

• Equivalent
• Pressure Altitude
• Properties
• Standard Atmosphere
• Classification Of Aircraft
• Calibrated
• Airplane (Fixed Wing Aircraft) Configuration and Various Parts
• Indicated Air Speeds
• Primary Flight Instruments:
  • VSI
  • Turn-bank Indicator
  • Altimeter
  • ASI
• Roll, Pitch & Yaw Controls
• Sideslip
• Aerodynamic Forces And Moments
• Angle Of Attack

Airplane Performance: 

• Range And Endurance
• Steady Climb & Descent
• Takeoff And Landing
• Drag Polar
• Absolute And Service Ceiling
• V-n Diagram
• Turning Flight
• Load Factor

• Winds: Tail, Cross Winds, Head

Static Stability: 

• Directional Stability
• Horizontal Tail Position And Size
• Stability & Control Derivatives
• Vertical Tail Position And Size
• Longitudinal Stick Fixed & Free Stability
• Wing Dihedral, Sweep & Position
• Stick Forces
• Hinge Moments
• Lateral Stability

Special Topics:

• Lateral-directional Modes
• Dynamic Stability: Euler Angles
• Decoupling Of Longitudinal and lateral-directional dynamics
• Equations Of Motion
• Longitudinal Modes

Section 3: Space Dynamics

Core Topics: 

• Escape Velocity
• Central Force Motion
• Kepler’s Laws
• Determination Of Trajectory and Orbital Period In Simple Cases

No Special Topics

Section 4: Aerodynamics

Core Topics:

Basic Fluid Mechanics: 

• Dimensional Analysis And Dynamic Similarity
• Conservation Laws: Mass, Momentum And Energy (Integral And Differential Form)

Potential flow theory:

• Elementary Ideas Of Viscous Flows Including Boundary Layers
• Sources, Sinks, doublets, line vortex and their superposition

Airfoils and wings: 

• Critical And Drag Divergence Mach Number
• Airfoil Nomenclature
• Aerodynamic Coefficients: Drag,  Lift,  Moment
• Thin Airfoil Theory
• Kutta Condition 
• Kutta-joukoswki Theorem
• Starting Vortex
• Finite Wing Theory: Prandtl Lifting Line Theory, Induced Drag

Compressible Flows: 

• Basic Concepts Of Compressibility
• Prandtl-Meyer Flow
• Rayleigh Flow
• Flow Through Nozzles And Diffusers
• One-dimensional Compressible Flows
• Fanno Flow
• Isentropic Flows
• Normal And Oblique Shocks

Special Topics: 

• Shock – Boundary Layer Interaction
• Wind Tunnel Testing: Measurement and Visualization Techniques

Section 5: Structures

Core Topics: 

Strength of Materials: 

• Stress And Strain: Three-dimensional Hooke’s Law, Plane Stress And Strain, Three-dimensional Transformations, Mohr’s Circle, Principal Stresses

• Failure Theories: Tresca Von Mises, Maximum Stress
• Elastic Flexural Buckling Of Columns
• Castigliano’s Principles
• Strain Energy
• Statically Determinate and Indeterminate Trusses And Beams

Flight Vehicle Structures: 

• Characteristics Of Aircraft Structures And Materials
• Loads On Aircraft
• Torsion, bending and shear of thin-walled sections

Structural Dynamics: 

• Free Vibrations Of Undamped 2-DOF Systems
• Free And Forced Vibrations Of Undamped And Damped SDOF Systems

Special Topics: 

• Airy’s stress function
• Vibration of beams
• Theory of elasticity: Equilibrium and Compatibility equations

Section 6: Propulsion 

Core Topics: 

Basics: 

• Thermodynamics
• Combustion and  Thermochemistry
• Boundary Layers
• Heat Transfer

Aerothermodynamics Of Aircraft Engines: 

• Range
• Brayton Cycle
• Thrust
• Efficiency

Engine Performance: 

• Afterburners
• Turbojet
• Turbofan
• Ramjet
• turboprop and turboshaft engines

Turbomachinery: 

• Axial Compressors: Work And Compression, Efficiency Of The Compressor and degree of reaction, Angular Momentum, Multi-staging, Characteristic Performance Of A Single Axial Compressor Stage

Centrifugal Compressor: 

• Stage dynamics
•  Inducer
• Impeller and diffuser

Axial Turbines: 

• Stage Performance

Rockets: 

• Thrust Equation And Specific Impulse
• Rocket Performance
• Chemical Rockets
• Performance Of Solid And Liquid Propellant Rockets
• Multi-staging

Special Topics: 

• Surge And Stall
• Compressor-turbine Matching
• Aerothermodynamics Of Non-rotating Propulsion Components Such As Intakes, Combustor And Nozzle
• Turbine Blade Cooling