Understanding Aircraft Structures

John Cutler is a consulting engineer, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Chartered Engineer.Jeremy Liber, who has been responsible for revising the Fourth Edition, has worked in the fixed and rotary wing aircraft industry for a number of years as a stressman, structural test engineer and design engineer. He has degrees in both engineering and business plus a pilot’s licence. He is a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and is currently Technical Director at Britten-Norman Aircraft Ltd.

• Preface. Chapter 1 Introduction;.Chapter 2 History; 2.1 Outline; 2.2 Wire-braced structures; 2.3 Semi-monocoque structures; 2.4 Sandwich structures; 2.5 Review of the key points.Chapter 3 Parts of the Aircraft; 3.1 Terms connected with flight; 3.2 Terms connected with control; 3.3 Terms connected with high-lift devices; 3.4 Terms associated with the shape and dimensions of the aircraft; 3.5 Review of the key points.Chapter 4 Loads on the Aircraft; 4.1 General flight forces; 4.2 Acceleration loads 4.3 Further aerodynamic loads; 4.4 Other loads; 4.5 Further load factors; 4.6 Loads acting on the whole aircraft; 4.7 Review of the key points; 4.8 References.Chapter 5 The form of structures; 5.1 Structure relative to aircraft design; 5.2 Historic form of structure; 5.3 General form of structure; 5.4 The basic load systems in structures; 5.5 The forms of stress in materials; 5.6 Bending and torsion; 5.7 Compression; 5.8 The whole structure; 5.9 Review of the key points; 5.10 References.Chapter 6 Materials; 6.1 Choice of materials; 6.2 Material properties; 6.3 Smart structures (and materials); 6.4 Cost as a property of a material; 6.5 Heat treatment; 6.6 Reference numbers for materials; 6.7 Review of the key points; 6.8 References.Chapter 7 Processes; 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Manufacturing;7.3 Jointing; 7.4 Review of the key points; 7.5 References.Chapter 8 Corrosion and protective treatments; 8.1 Nature of corrosion; 8.2 Causes of corrosion; 8.3 Protection against corrosion; 8.4 Review of the key points; 8.5 References.Chapter 9 Detail design; 9.1 Sheet-metal components; 9.2 Machined components and large forgings; 9.3 Notching and stress raisers; 9.4 Rivets and bolts; 9.5 Joggling; 9.6 Clips or cleats; 9.7 Stringer/frame intersections; 9.8 Lugs; 9.9 The ‘stiff path’; 9.10 Review of the key points.Chapter 10 Composite materials in aircraft structures; 10.1 What are composites?; 10.2 The strength of composite materials; 10.3 Types of structures; 10.4 Joining composites; 10.5 Fibres; 10.6 Resins; 10.7 Working safely with composites; 10.8 Review of the key points.Chapter 11 Quality and airworthiness; 11.1 Quality assurance; 11.2 Control; 11.3 Procedures and systems; 11.4 Further notes on quality control functions; 11.5 Airworthiness engineering; 11.6 Maintenance schedule; 11.7 References; 11.8 Review of the key points.Chapter 12 Stressing; 12.1 Introduction; 12.2 The stressman’s work; 12.3 Stressing methods; 12.4 Stress reports; 12.5 Review of the key points; 12.6 References.Chapter 13 Presentation of modifications and repairs; 13.1 Definitions; 13.2 The essential paperwork associated with modifications; 13.3 Review of the key points; 13.4 Conclusion; 13.5 References.Appendices

‘one of the most useful reference books that a budding designer or airline engineer could have available [it has] an aura of practical experience about it’ – Aerospace ‘contains a wealth of examples of good practice in the design and repair of metal aircraft. It also provides a good basic understanding of materials’ – Journal of the General Aviation Safety Council