Aircraft Frames: Dominant Parameters Thresholds, Data Mining for Components Integrity and Pre-Failure Assessment Determination.
Abstract
Concerning airframe fault analysis of aircraft, there is a need for a foundation upon which the knowledge and informed decisions are based. The foundation for this knowledge and informed decisions is data. It is important because it is essential for scientific research, serving as the starting point for processes that deliver informed insights, of which aircraft fault analysis is not exempt. Data serves as the foundation for understanding phenomena, testing hypotheses, and drawing valid conclusions. For valid conclusions to be drawn in this research, data were mined to judge and validate the results gotten from the analysis of the fault and the proposed maintenance to be carried out in the future. The airframe parts that can develop faults were identified as the aircraft wings, fuselage, and landing gears. The materials used for the construction of these parts were investigated and identified as aluminium, titanium, composite materials, and steel. The parameters and their standard values under which the aircraft can perform ultimately were harvested through literature review. These parameters and their values characterize the materials identified for airframe construction and were used for pre-failure assessment. These parameters were used on a case study of selected airframes, and the results were as follows: wings made of aluminium 7050 having an ultimate stress of 317, maximum deformation of 12%, a factor of safety of 1.5, a first bending range of (5–20) Hz, a second bending range of (25–60) Hz, a torsional range of (20–50) Hz, a damping ratio range of (0.02–0.04), and a maximum temperature of 150℃; and a fuselage made of titanium grade 9 having an ultimate stress of 413, maximum deformation of 25%, a factor of safety of 1.5, a first bending range of (10–40) Hz, a second bending range of (50–120) Hz, a torsional range of (40–100) Hz, a damping ratio range of (0.01–0.03), and a maximum temperature of 315℃.
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