Structural Design Guidelines for Heliports.
Abstract
Current structural design guidelines for heliports are analyzed using data obtained from the literature and from surveys of helicopter manufacturers, heliport design consultants, and heliport operators. Primary topics of interest in these analyses are the loads on heliport structures caused by helicopter hard landings, rotor downwash, and helicopter vibrations. A new analysis, based on reliability theory, is proposed for determining the helicopter hard landing load magnitudes appropriate for structural design. Results from this analysis indicate that the current FAA heliport structural design guidelines are adequate for medium to high volume heliports and conservative for low volume facilities. Additional analyses indicate that rotor downwash pressures and helicopter-induced vibrations are not critical loading conditions for most heliport structures. Guidelines for appropriate load combinations for heliport structural design are also presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 24, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA148967
Entities
People
- C. W. Schwartz
- M. W. Witczak
- R. B. Leahy