ESDU Aerostructures Package

This package provides a collection of methods and data for design use in a wide range of disciplines that comprise the ESDU 'Aerostructures Package'.

Endorsed by professional Institutions ESDU data and software form an important part of the design operation of companies large and small throughout the world.

The ESDU Aerostructures Package addresses each the following areas:

The 'Structures' data give comprehensive, rigorously evaluated information for the strength analysis of lightweight structures such as those used in aerospace. Data are given on elastic or inelastic stresses, strains, displacements or buckling loads under static loading. They range from general data (metallic material properties, principal stresses and strains, and failure criteria), with application regardless of component form, to the analysis of specific components in metallic, compound (sandwich) or composite structures (beams, struts, panels, stress raisers (stress concentrations) and joints).

The 'Stress and Strength' data treats the stress analysis of components used in general mechanical engineering. The information is divided into three principal types. The fatigue data are for many low and high alloy and stainless steels made to US, UK, European and other specifications, and the fracture mechanics data include both crack propagation rates, many down to threshold, and fracture toughness values. All information on stresses, deflections, stiffnesses and buckling loads is applicable to the usual metals used in engineering and to other isotropic materials such as glass, rubber or plastic.

'Composites' data provide a collection of methods for use in the design of fibre-reinforced laminated composite materials. The data contain the solutions to many strength analysis problems met in the design of fibre-reinforced laminated composite structures, including failure criteria, plate vibration and buckling, analysis of bonded joints, and stress concentrations.

'Fatigue' methods and data are given for strength calculations primarily on aircraft and aerospace structures. The data are principally for use when the design philosophy is one of 'safe-life design', that is, the structure or component is required to be crack-free for the specified design life. The major part of the data consists of constant amplitude stress-endurance curve (S-N curves) for aircraft materials (aluminium and titanium alloys and steels) and structural joints (riveted, bolted or bonded).

To assess acoustic fatigue life, knowledge of the natural vibration characteristics of the structure is required. Data on the natural frequencies of plate, box and shell structures are included. The plate data cover both conventional metallic construction and laminated composite materials.

The 'Metallic Materials Data Handbook' has been prepared to meet design requirements with regard to aerospace structural metallic materials properties for both the designer and the customer. The methods of analysis and materials data provided in this Handbook are monitored and guided by ESDU Panel M with the approval of the Civil Aviation Authority, Safety Regulation Group. The Handbook is recognised as a valuable source of materials data by the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC).