Rotorcraft Weight Trends in Light of Structural Material Characteristics

Abstract

Variations in weight of rotorcraft and their major components due to the use of advanced materials are examined. The impact of new materials on component weights is illustrated by historical weight trends. The influences of structural material characteristic on relative weight levels of major rotorcraft components, the weight effectiveness, for both static and fatigue-type loadings are reviewed. Cursory expressions are developed to permit estimation of how the strength effectiveness values or structural materials affect the relative weights of components. Special constraints which could limit the possible weight reductions achievable are considered briefly. A survey of advanced structural materials is also included. Keywords: Rotary wing aircraft; Helicopters; Weight estimation, Advanced structural materials.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 26, 1987
Accession Number
ADA186576

Entities

People

  • W. Z. Stepniewski

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Advanced Materials
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Composite Materials
  • Graphitic Materials
  • Helicopters
  • Landing Gear
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Testing
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Tensile Strength
  • Tilt Rotor Aircraft

Readers

  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.
  • Systems Analysis and Design