Flaw Tolerant Safe-Life Methodology
Abstract
Conventional safe-life methodology has been in general use in the helicopter industry for more than 40 years to substantiate fatigue-loaded dynamic components. However, it is seen to need improvement. One improvement is to reduce its sensitivity to the strength-reducing effects of flaws and defects that may occur in manufacturing and service use. Damage Tolerance methodology provides a means to accomplish this improvement but it is currently difficult to economically apply it to every fatigue mode on every component. Flaw Tolerant methodology is an available equal-choice option to Damage Tolerance for Transport Category civil rotorcraft, and it is offered here as a practical improvement to conventional safe life for military applications as well. Flaw Tolerance, which is based on the characteristics of initiation of cracks from flaws, is described and illustrated by means of examples of successful applications to helicopter components. This paper provides a description and examples of successful applications of Flaw Tolerance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADP010645
Entities
People
- D. O. Adams
Organizations
- Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation