Fatigue is a condition which usually causes damage in aircraft structures. The damage of an aircraft structure...

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Mechanical Engineering

Fatigue is a condition which usually causes damage in aircraftstructures. The damage of an
aircraft structure could possibly lead to failure.
(a) Discuss how to sustain damage in aircraft structures before aninspection can be done. Provide
appropriate mathematical equations to support your answer

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ANSWER a Fatigue is a common occurrence among all metal airframes Due to the repeated flight cycles and frequent use the metal elements of planes become weakened over time and they will eventually require attention and repair This weakness manifests in cracks which are microscopic at first With continued aircraft use over time though the cracks grow larger and eventually become visible An aircraft begins to age after its first flight and the effects of corrosion and fatigue occur almost immediately Aging becomes an issue when the aircraft can no longer be effectively repaired or sustain the rigors of flight Atmospheric pressure Gloads turbulence and other factors create the perfect environment for damaging stress Fatigue cracks mainly originate in three different areas Internally in loadbearing structural elements potentially developing small points under high stress Externally in loadbearing aircraft skins in the case that the skin is under pressure from a structural load Around the edges of fastener holes such as those for rivets bolts or screws or in any similar area of concentrated stress These areas of high pressure are more prone to premature cracking and exhibiting early signs of fatigue In the same right they are often the areas recorded as the original sites of failure In order to avoid fatigue failure in an aircraft we have to take the following measures To determine how many cycles an aircraft or type of metal can take there has to be a measurable factor with which to make a comparison This factor is called the Limit of Validity or LOV Manufacturers should determine a modelspecific LOV make the limit available uphold said limit as verification of airworthiness report LOV accordance to regulating authority and provide and publish service bulletins of preventative modifications Operators should maintain aircraft through a regular service program integrate mandatory services into the program utilize manufacturer provided LOV values and create and uphold a plan of action for the instance of airplanes reaching their LOV There are certain different methods following which See Answer

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