In this report, a structural analysis of a rocket is performed. Its aim it to base the analysis on finite elements, where transient states and vibrations will be taken into account, in order to obtain nodal displacements and stresses in the structure. Afterwards, the intention is to post-process these results using simulation tools. After having defined the objectives, scope, requirements and justification of the thesis, a state of the art chapter will be included. There, the theory of structures on which the analysis will be based, will be determined - it will be the flat shell theory. Also, the Firefly Alpha rocket will be set to be the structure studied, and the materials and software employed will be established. Following the state of the art, the methodology trailed to get to the results will be described. This chapter will include the numerical breakdown of the flat shell theory, a description of the mesh to be analyzed, the definition of the problems’ initial conditions and the assumptions made to obtain them. For the dynamic case, some mathematical theory will be added in order to justify why the final equation to solve will be a superposition of a damped free solution and a damped forced solution. After following the methodology described, the results obtained will be analyzed. Regarding the elastostatic case, the deformations and stresses obtained will not suppose a problem for the structure. As for the elastodynamic case, some aspects will be discussed. First, it will be demonstrated that the forced solution has a lot more influence to the dynamic results than the free solution. Also, modes 14 and 318 will be concluded to be the most important ones for defining the behaviour of the vibrations. Additionally, an analysis to find which is the most significant family of forces applied will be carried, concluding with results that will show that shocks are the most dominant loads. Lastly, it will be proven that the structure will withstand the vibrations obtained. Before getting to the final chapter of this report, its environmental impact, which is insignificant, will be discussed, and the budget needed to carry out the study will be attached. Finally, some conclusions will be extracted. There, it will be discussed whether the objectives set in this report have been met or not. A summary of the conclusions extracted for the elastostatic and elastodynamic results will be included. The main conclusion, which is that the thesis’ results are not of great value for real-life considerations will be extracted. And lastly, improvements regarding methodology, ideas for continuations of this study and personal conclusions will be added.
