Literature review on aircraft structural risk and reliability analysis (Report No. DSTO-TR-1110

Aircraft structural risk and reliability analysis has gained considerable interest in the area of aircraft structural integrity and fleet management in recent times. In this report, a literature review of the current approaches and methodologies that have been utilised in the area of structural risk and reliability analysis for aircraft structures and components is conducted. The structural risk and reliability approach discussed here deals mainly with the probability of failure due to aircraft structural fatigue. It reviews the engineering techniques and probabilistic methodologies that have been reported in the literature. It also discuss the advantages, disadvantage and the limitations of this approach and the reason for its need in aircraft structural and component integrity. The application of structural risk and reliability analysis is not limited to structural fatigue problem, its implication in areas other than airframe and component fatigue are also presented. This review shows that risk and reliability analysis can be a very useful tool for fleet management and it has potential implications for structural design. RELEASE LIMITATION Approved for public releas