An Assessment of the State-of-the-Art for the Design and Manufacturing of Large Composite Structures for Aerospace Vehicles

The results of an assessment of the state-of-the-art in the design and manufacturing of large composite structures are described. The focus of the assessment is on the use of polymeric matrix composite materials for large airframe structural components, such as those in commercial and military aircraft and space transportation vehicles. Applications of composite materials for large commercial transport aircraft, general aviation aircraft, rotorcraft, military aircraft, and unmanned rocket launch vehicles are reviewed. The results of the assessment of the state-of-the-art include a summary of lessons learned, examples of current practice, and an assessment of advanced technologies under development. The results of the assessment conclude with an evaluation of the future technology challenges associated with applications of composite materials to the primary structures of commercial transport aircraft and advanced space transportation vehicles.

[1]  Carlo Kopp.  Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey , 1985 .

[2]  M. B. Dow.  The ACEE program and basic composites research at Langley Research Center (1975 to 1986): Summary and bibliography , 1987 .

[3]  M. B. Dow,et al.  Properties of three graphite/toughened resin composites , 1991 .

[4]  John Wang,et al.  Technology integration box beam failure study , 1992 .

[5]  Louis F. Vosteen,et al.  Composite chronicles: A study of the lessons learned in the development, production, and service of composite structures , 1994 .

[6]  R. Ruoff,et al.  Structural properties of a carbon-nanotube crystal. , 1994, Physical review letters.

[7]  H. Benson Dexter,et al.  Flight service environmental effects on composite materials and structures , 1994 .

[8]  J. Sawyer,et al.  Graphite-composite primary structure for reusable launch vehicles , 1996 .

[9]  J. Bernholc,et al.  Nanomechanics of carbon tubes: Instabilities beyond linear response. , 1996, Physical review letters.

[10]  Harold G. Bush,et al.  Correlation of Structural Analysis and Test Results for the McDonnell Douglas Stitched/RFI All-Composite Wing Stub Box , 1996 .

[11]  T. Ebbesen,et al.  Exceptionally high Young's modulus observed for individual carbon nanotubes , 1996, Nature.

[12]  J. Mintmire,et al.  ELECTRONIC AND STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF CARBON NANOTUBES , 1996 .

[13]  J. Lu,et al.  Elastic Properties of Carbon Nanotubes and Nanoropes , 1997, cond-mat/9704219.

[14]  Harold G. Bush,et al.  Experimental Investigation of a Graphite-Composite Intertank Section for a Reusable Launch Vehicle , 1997 .

[15]  Charles M. Lieber,et al.  Nanobeam Mechanics: Elasticity, Strength, and Toughness of Nanorods and Nanotubes , 1997 .

[16]  B. W. Flynn,et al.  Advanced Technology Composite Fuselage - Repair and Damage Assessment Supporting Maintenance , 1997 .

[17]  H. Dexter,et al.  Automated Fabrication Technologies for High Performance Polymer Composites , 1998 .

[18]  James H. Starnes,et al.  Analytical Methodology for Predicting Widespread Fatigue Damage Onset in Fuselage Structure , 1998 .

[19]  T. Halicioǧlu,et al.  Stress Calculations for Carbon Nanotubes , 1998 .

[20]  Donald W. Brenner,et al.  Mechanical properties of nanotubule fibers and composites determined from theoretical calculations and simulations , 1998 .

[21]  F. Yuan,et al.  SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) , 1999 .

[22]  Madhu Menon,et al.  NANOPLASTICITY OF SINGLE-WALL CARBON NANOTUBES UNDER UNIAXIAL COMPRESSION , 1999 .

[23]  R. Ruoff,et al.  Strength and breaking mechanism of multiwalled carbon nanotubes under tensile load , 2000, Science.