The role and methodology of fatigue testing in aircraft structural integrity

摘要

Right from the beginning of aviation history with Wright Brothers Flyer until now fatigue problems in aircraft have continued to draw the attention of the designers and the specialists in fatigue and fracture mechanics. However, great strides have been made over last few decades in all spheres of aviation industry and airworthiness authorities have evolved more stringent regulations, whose compliance in terms of design validation through rigorous fracture mechanics based analysis and extensive fatigue testing should ensure achievement of design service objectives with continued flight safety. This paper attempts to briefly overview the progressive evolutions in aircraft design concepts and the role and methodology of fatigue testing in.order to ensure airframe structural integrity. Importance of fatigue testing, both for metallic and composite structures, have been highlighted.