This book explains aircraft structures so as to provide a basic understanding of the subject and the terminology used, as well as illustrating some of the problems. It provides a brief historical background, and covers parts of the aeroplane, loads, structural form, materials, processes, detail design, quality control, stressing, and the documentation associated with modification and repairs. The Fourth Edition takes account of new materials and the new European regulatory system.

John Cutler is a consulting engineer, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Chartered Engineer.

Jeremy Liber, who has been responsible for revising the Fourth Edition, has worked in the fixed and rotary wing aircraft industry for a number of years as a stressman, structural test engineer and design engineer. He has degrees in both engineering and business plus a pilot’s licence. He is a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and is currently Technical Director at Britten-Norman Aircraft Ltd.

Preface

ix

Chapter 1 Introduction

1

(2)

Chapter 2 History

3

(26)

2.1 Outline

3

(1)

2.2 Wire-braced structures

4

(5)

2.3 Semi-monocoque structures

9

(5)

2.4 Sandwich structures

14

(1)

2.5 Review of the key points

15

(14)

Chapter 3 Parts of the Aircraft

29

(9)

3.1 Terms connected with flight

29

(2)

3.2 Terms connected with control

31

(1)

3.3 Terms connected with high-lift devices

32

(1)

3.4 Terms associated with the shape and dimensions of the aircraft

32

(5)

3.5 Review of the key points

37

(1)

Chapter 4 Loads on the Aircraft

38

(19)

4.1 General flight forces

38

(6)

4.2 Acceleration loads

44

(4)

4.3 Further aerodynamic loads

48

(2)

4.4 Other loads

50

(1)

4.5 Further load factors

51

(2)

4.6 Loads acting on the whole aircraft

53

(2)

4.7 Review of the key points

55

(1)

4.8 References

56

(1)

Chapter 5 The Form of Structures

57

(32)

5.1 Structure relative to aircraft design

57

(1)

5.2 Historic form of structure

57

(2)

5.3 General form of structure

59

(1)

5.4 The basic load systems in structures

59

(4)

5.5 The forms of stress in materials

63

(9)

5.6 Bending and torsion

72

(13)

5.7 Compression

85

(2)

5.8 The whole structure

87

(1)

5.9 Review of the key points

87

(1)

5.10 References

88

(1)

Chapter 6 Materials

89

(23)

6.1 Choice of materials

89

(3)

6.2 Material properties

92

(9)

6.3 Smart structures (and materials)

101

(2)

6.4 Cost as a property of a material

103

(2)

6.5 Heat treatment

105

(1)

6.6 Reference number for materials

106

(3)

6.7 Review of the key points

109

(1)

6.8 References

110

(2)

Chapter 7 Processes

112

(12)

7.1 Introduction

112

(1)

7.2 Manufacturing

112

(7)

7.3 Jointing

119

(4)

7.4 Review of the key points

123

(1)

7.5 References

123

(1)

Chapter 8 Corrosion and Protective Treatments

124

(9)

8.1 Nature of corrosion

124

(2)

8.2 Causes of corrosion

126

(2)

8.3 Protection against corrosion

128

(4)

8.4 Review of the key points

132

(1)

8.5 Reference

132

(1)

Chapter 9 Detail Design

133

(26)

9.1 Sheet-metal components

133

(3)

9.2 Machined components and large forgings

136

(3)

9.3 Notching and stress raisers

139

(5)

9.4 Rivets and bolts

144

(8)

9.5 Joggling

152

(2)

9.6 Clips or cleats

154

(1)

9.7 Stringer/frame intersections

155

(1)

9.8 Lugs

156

(1)

9.9 The 'stiff path'

157

(1)

9.10 Review of the key points

157

(2)

Chapter 10 Composite Materials in Aircraft Structures

159

(14)

10.1 What are composites?

159

(2)

10.2 The strength of composite materials

161

(1)

10.3 Types of structures

162

(2)

10.4 Joining composites

164

(3)

10.5 Fibres

167

(2)

10.6 Resins

169

(2)

10.7 Working safely with composites

171

(1)

10.8 Review of the key points

172

(1)

Chapter 11 Quality and Airworthiness

173

(9)

11.1 Quality assurance and quality control

173

(1)

11.2 Control

174

(1)

11.3 Procedures and systems

175

(2)

11.4 Further notes on quality control functions

177

(2)

11.5 Airworthiness engineering

179

(1)

11.6 Continued airworthiness

180

(1)

11.7 Review of the key points

181

(1)

11.8 References

181

(1)

Chapter 12 Stressing

182

(13)

12.1 Introduction

182

(1)

12.2 The stressman's work

183

(4)

12.3 Stressing methods

187

(3)

12.4 Stress reports

190

(3)

12.5 Review of the key points

193

(1)

12.6 References

194

(1)

Chapter 13 Presentation of Modifications and Repairs

195

(8)

13.1 Definitions

195

(2)

13.2 The essential paperwork associated with modifications

197

(4)

13.3 Review of the key points

201

(1)

13.4 Conclusion

201

(1)

13.5 References

202

(1)

Appendices

203

(6)

Index

209

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Understanding Aircraft Structures

9781405120326

1405120320

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