Study on design of the composite torque link for a landing gear system of a helicopter

In this paper, we propose the design method for the composite torque link of a landing gear for a helicopter. The composite torque link has to be light weighted and very stiff to keep the shock absorber in the landing gear of helicopter. The configuration and structural shape has to be designed in consideration of the RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) manufacturing process which is adopted to minimize the manufacturing cost. The mechanical properties are obtained through the coupon tests with the specimens made by the same manufacturing process for the composite structure. The optimal design process was performed through iterative modifications of the models which were verified by stress analysis using FEM. The composite torque link has lug-shaped parts and is very thick, so 3D Layered solid elements of ABAQUS were used to get the stress field including the stress components in thickness direction and non-linear static analysis using contact B.C. of rigid-deform condition was used to get the optimal design.