Abstract
Design and certification of novel self-healing aerospace structures was explored by reviewing
the suitability of conventional deterministic certification approaches. A sandwich structure with a vascular network self-healing system was used as a case study. A novel probabilistic approach using a
Monte Carlo method to generate an overall probability of structural failure yields notable new insights into design of self-healing systems, including a drive for a faster healing time of less than 2 hours. In
the case study considered, a mature self-healing system could be expected to reduce the probability of
structural failure (compared to a conventional damage tolerant construction) by almost an order of
magnitude. In a risk-based framework this could be traded against simplified maintenance activity (to
save cost) and/or increased allowable stress (to allow a lighter structure). The first estimate of the
increase in design allowable stresses permitted by a self-healing system is around 8%, with a selfhealing
system much lighter than previously envisaged. It is thought these methods and conclusions
could have wider application to self-healing and conventional high-performance composite structures.
Translated title of the contribution | A Probabilistic Approach For Design And Certification Of Self-Healing Advanced Composite Structures |
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Original language | English |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part O: Journal of Risk and Reliability |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |