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Residual strength of aircraft panels with multiple site damage

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Abstract

Multiple site damage (MSD) is a type of cracking that may be found in aging airplanes which can adversely affect the damage tolerance of an airframe structure. In this paper the behavior of MSD is studied by examining the interaction of cracks in stiffened and riveted panels. The hybrid finite element method, in conjunction with the complex variable theory of elasticity, is used to provide accurate and efficient solutions to these problems. Typical results include stress intensity factors at the crack tips, stress concentration factors in the stiffeners, and rivet loads for a stiffened structure with multiple cracks. Particular emphasis is placed on the derivation and interpretation of residual strength diagrams. This study produces a better understanding of the interaction between multiple cracks and provides insight for avoiding MSD in future designs.

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References

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Author notes

  1. Pin Tong (Professor and Head)

    Present address: Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, US DOT, USA

  2. Robert Greif (Professor of Mechanical Engineering)

    Present address: Tufts University, 02155, Medford, MA, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering Department, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong

    Pin Tong (Professor and Head)

  2. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, US DOT, USA

    Robert Greif (Professor of Mechanical Engineering)

  3. Mechanical Engineering Department, Tufts University, 02155, Medford, MA, USA

    Li Chen (Graduate Student)

Authors
  1. Pin Tong
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  2. Robert Greif
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  3. Li Chen
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Additional information

Communicated by S. N. Atluri, January 12, 1993

This work was supported by the Technical Center, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

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Tong, P., Greif, R. & Chen, L. Residual strength of aircraft panels with multiple site damage. Computational Mechanics 13, 285–294 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350230

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00350230

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