ADVANCED MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING TECHNIQUES ON FUTURE AIRBUS AIRCRAFT, AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR FATIGUE AND DAMAGE TOLERANCE

摘要

A wide range of advanced manufacturing techniques is currently under consideration within Airbus, including the use of new materials, the adoption of innovative structural concepts, and the application of unconventional fabrication methods. However, such development initiatives may be incompatible with the existing airworthiness regulations for fatigue and damage tolerance, which were developed through consideration of conventional structures, with mechanically fastened joints and multiple redundant load paths. The introduction of new technologies may therefore require new design and certification methods, as well as new techniques for structural repair in airline service. This paper presents a review of the ongoing activities aimed at ensuring the safe introduction of new technologies to future Airbus aircraft, and at maintaining an equivalent level of fatigue resistance and damage tolerance as the structural designs adopted on existing aircraft.