Understanding

Aircraft Structures
John Cutler
Fourth Edition
revised by
Jeremy Liber
Blackwell
Publishing
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Introduction
History
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
Parti
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
Outline
Wire-braced structures
Semi-monocoque structures
Sandwich structures
Review of the key points
of the Aircraft
Terms connected with flight
Terms connected with control
Terms connected with high-lift devices
Terms associated with the shape and
dimensions of the aircraft
Review of the key points
Loads on the Aircraft
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
The
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
General flight forces
Acceleration loads
Further aerodynamic loads
Other loads
Further load factors
Loads acting on the whole aircraft
Review of the key points
References
Form of Structures
Structure relative to aircraft design
Historic form of structure
General form of structure
The basic load systems in structures
The forms of stress in materials
Bending and torsion
Comoression
IX
1
3
3
4
9
14
15
29
29
31
32
32
37
38
38
44
48
50
51
53
55
56
57
57
57
59
59
63
72
85
Contents
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
5.8
5.9
5.10
The whole structure
Review of the key points
References
Materials
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
Choice of materials
Material properties
Smart structures (and materials)
Cost as a property of a material
Heat treatment
Reference number for materials
Review of the key points
References
Processes
11
12
7.3
7.4
7.5
Introduction
Manufacturing
Jointing
Review of the key points
References
Corrosion and Protective Treatments
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
Nature of corrosion
Causes of corrosion
Protection against corrosion
Review of the key points
Reference
Detail Design
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
9.10
Sheet-metal components
Machined components and large forgings
Notching and stress raisers
Rivets and bolts
Joggling
Clips or cleats
Stringer/frame intersections
Lugs
The 'stiff path'
Review of the key points
Composite Materials in Aircraft Structures
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
What are composites?
The strength of composite materials
Types of structures
Joining composites
Fibres
Resins
Working safely with composites
Review of the kev ooints
87
87
88
89
89
92
101
103
105
106
109
110
112
112
112
119
123
123
124
124
126
128
132
132
133
133
136
139
144
152
154
155
156
157
157
159
159
161
162
164
167
169
171
172
Contents vii
Chapter 11 Quality and Airworthiness 173
11.1 Quality assurance and quality control 173
11.2 Control 174
11.3 Procedures and systems 175
11.4 Further notes on quality control functions 177
11.5 Airworthiness engineering 179
11.6 Continued airworthiness 180
11.7 Review of the key points 181
11.8 References 181
Chapter 12 Stressing 182
12.1 Introduction 182
12.2 The stressman's work 183
12.3 Stressing methods 187
12.4 Stress reports 190
12.5 Review of the key points 193
12.6 References 194
Chapter 13 Presentation of Modifications and Repairs 195
13.1 Definitions 195
13.2 The essential paperwork associated
with modifications 197
13.3 Review of the key points 201
13.4 Conclusion 201
13.5 References 202
Appendices 203
Index 209