Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Liu, A. F..
New program, FLAGRO-III, aids predictive analysis of preexisting subcritical flaws or cracks. Fracture mechanics are applied as tool to predict growth of fatigue cracks and to evaluate tolerance of given structural design damage.
A systematic approach for applying methods for fracture control in the structural components of space vehicles consists of four major steps. The first step is to define the primary load-carrying structural elements and the type of load, environment, and design stress levels acting upon them. The second step is to identify the potential fracture-critical parts by means of a selection logic flow diagram. The third step is to evaluate the safe-life and fail-safe capabilities of the specified part. The last step in the sequence is to apply the control procedures that will prevent damage to the fracture-critical parts. The fracture control methods discussed include fatigue design and analysis methods, methods for preventing crack-like defects, fracture mechanics analysis methods, and nondestructive evaluation methods. An example problem is presented for evaluation of the safe-crack-growth capability of the space shuttle crew compartment skin structure.
Engineering drawings are presented which represent the culmination of research efforts towards a space shuttle configuration with adequate fracture control properties.