DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED GUST LOAD CRITERIA FOR UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT

Abstract : Gust loads criteria were developed which represent a considerable improvement over the current discrete gust criteria. These new criteria are based on the strength level of previously successful aircraft, and result from a probabilistic assessment of expected gust loads. To supplement the probabilistic criteria, an arbitrary criterion for limit design gust velocity is presented. The analyses to be used in conjunction with the new criteria are based on the continuous turbulence concept which allows the realistic determination of aircraft loads in atmospheric turbulence.