Composites in Aircraft Structures

1. Introduction
   Why Composites? Reinforcement Optimization Aircraft Weight, Thermal and Stiffness Properties Fatigue Resistance
2. Fibers
   Glass Graphite Aramid Boron Alumina Asbestos
   Grades, Strengths, Surface Treatments, Physical, Chemical, Fatigue & Impact Properties
3. Resins
   Epoxy Maleimide Phenolic Polyimide Thermosetting and Thermoplastic Systems
4. Joining
   Bonded Joints: Surface Preparation and Adhesive Selection, Wettability and Bonding, Configurations, Single-lap, Double-lap, Stepped-lap, Scarf Joints Mechanically Fastened Joints: Fastener Selection, Hole Preparation, Lay-up and Stacking Sequence, Joint Dimensions, Design Considerations
5. Environment
   Temperature Effects, Corrosion, Moisture Ingression, Thermal Spike, Hygrothermal Aging, Weathering, Erosion, Lightning, Stress Corrosion, Blistering
   Case Studies: Westland Sea King & WG.30 Helicopters, Boeing 737 Spoiler, Lockheed L-1011 Fairing, Douglas DC-10 Rudder & Aft Pylon, C-130 Wing Box, CH-54 Fuselage, USAF F-15, A-7D, F-111, US Navy F-14 Horizontal Stabilizer, H-46 Rotor Blades
6. Design, Applications
   Mechanism of Reinforcement, Structural Sandwich Systems, Transport and Fighter Aircraft, Propeller Blades, Helicopter Blades, Jet Engines.
   Case Studies: Gossamer Albatross, Boeing-Vertol Rotor Blades, Beech Starship
7. Micro/Macro Mechanisms
   Isotropic and Orthotropic Laminae, Micromechanical Analysis of Continuous Fiber and Discontinuous Fiber Laminae, Laminated Beams and Plates, Interlaminar Stresses and Edge Effects
8. Damage, Fracture
   Failure Criteria, Debonding, Fiber Pullout, Delamination, Matrix Cracking, Toughness Enhancement of Matrices, Damage-based Strength Model, Failure Mechanisms and Toughness Maps, Fatigue Damage Mechanics and Lifetime Prediction, Variable Amplitude Loading Effects
9. Defects, Testing, Quality Control
   A List of Defects, Material Quality Revalidation, BVID (Barely Visible Impact Damage), Visual Inspection, Tap Test, Through Transmission and Pulse-Echo Ultrasonics, Dry-coupled Roller Probes, Air-coupled Probes, Ultrasonic Spectroscopy, SIAM R-theta System, X-ray Radiography, Eddy Current, Neutron Radiography, Acoustic Emission, Mechanical Impedance Testing, Thermography
   Case Study: Automated Ultrasonic Inspection System for In-service CF-18
10. Repair
    Bonded vs. Bolted Repairs, Combined Bolted/Bonded Repairs, Adhesive Testing, Surface Treatments, Anodizing, Special Considerations in Skin Repairs, Life Prediction, Crack Patching, Mirage III Lower Wing Skin Case Study, Thermal Analysis, The Airworthiness Patch, Crack Growth, Relative Hot/Wet Strengths of Various Repair Configurations
    Case Study: US Navy H-46 Composite Rotor Blade Repair, YAV-8B Composite Wing Skin Repair, S-3A Spoiler, F-4J Doors, L1011 Fin, AH-1 Rotor Blade, Mirage III Lower Wing Skin.