Theory of Economic Life Prediction and Reliability Assessment of Aircraft Structures

AbstractThe theory of economic life prediction and reliability assessment of aircraft structures has a significant effect on safety of aircraft structures. It is based on the two-stage theory of fatigue process and can guarantee the safety and reliability of structures. According to the fatigue damage process, the fatigue scatter factors of crack initiation stage and crack propagation stage are given respectively. At the same time, mathematical models of fatigue life prediction are presented by utilizing the fatigue scatter factors and full scale test results of aircraft structures. Furthermore, the economic life model is put forward. The model is of significant scientific value for products to provide longer economic life, higher reliability and lower cost. The theory of economic life prediction and reliability assessment of aircraft structures has been successfully applied to determining and extending the structural life for thousands of airplanes