Nonlinear incremental analysis up to failure of aeronautical structures

Abstract Two complex aeronautical structures are analysed up to failure. The first problem consists of the numerical prediction of the burst velocity of a turbine rotor due to an accidental overspeed. In the second analysis, one examines the extreme internal pressure of rocket motor heads. The feasability and the accuracy of the nonlinear finite element analysis are demonstrated. The important task of the modelling of the nonlinear material behaviours is discussed in both cases. The influence of the different types of strong non linearities involved on the computed structural responses are also carefully examined.