In-flight Load Constraint Estimation and Residual Life Prediction for Aircraft with Discrete Source Damage

Rakesh K. Kapania
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 4:00pm
Engr IV Maxwell Room 57-124

Abstract
Aircraft can be exposed to different types of damage in flight. One of the objectives of the NASA's Integrated Resilient Aircraft Control initiative is to increase the survivability of the aircraft under various adverse conditions (including damage). Discrete source damage, while not leading to immediate loss of the flight vehicle, may induce substantial reduction in the strength and stiffness that could greatly reduce the load carrying capability of the flight vehicle structure. A rapid assessment of the damage and its effect on the further load carrying capability (maneuver loads) of the aircraft during the remainder of the flight is of crucial importance. Under a three-year effort funded under NASA's IRAC program, we are developing a methodology to rapidly estimate the load constraints and residual life of the aircraft structure. Assessment of the constraints on the maneuver loads requires a multidisciplinary approach including, some aspects of fracture mechanics, structural mechanics, aerodynamics, and flight mechanics.

Biography
Rakesh K. Kapania is the Mitchell Professor of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg. An Associate Fellow of the AIAA, and a member of SIAM, he has co-authored more than 110 archival Journal. His expertise is in the area of Computational Structural Mechanics with emphasis on Computational structural dynamics and aeroelasticity, Laminated plates and shells, Impact Response of Composites, Control of structures, Wind Engineering, and the Finite Element Method. He has graduated 25 Ph.D's (another 10 in progress) and has supervised 35 MS students. He and his students have made more than 200 presentations at various conferences and professional meetings.