NDE and failure analysis of landing gear components of air crafts

摘要

Non-destructive evaluation methods play a key role in evaluation of structural integrity of aerospace structures. Almost all the components of the aircraft undergo complex state of stress distribution. In addition some of the components experience high temperature and corrosion, like turbine blade. Hence, reliable NDE methods have become important in assessing the integrity and life extension of the components. Among various components, the landing gear strut and wheel axle experiences significant load during every take off and landing of the aircraft leading to fatigue damage. Premature failure of these components during take off or landing will be catastrophic and may lead to loss of aircraft and/or loss of human life. These two components need to be inspected thoroughly during overhaul and to be assessed for their continued operation. Defects detected if any have to be quantified accurately so as to accept or reject these components. The fatigue damage assessment using XRD method for landing gear strut, failure analysis and developments of NDT procedures for wheel axles, etc. are discussed in this paper.