Section 5.4.0. Stress Sequence Development
In order to predict the crack-growth behavior of an aircraft
structure, the designer needs to know the sequence of stress cycles applied
during the life of the structure. This
stress history for a new design is developed from the service life requirements
and the mission profile information specified by the procurement activity. Based on this information a repeated load
history due to ground handling, flight maneuvers, gusts, pressurization,
landing, store ejection, and any other load source is developed. The stress history at any given point is
then determined from the applicable load/stress relations. Giessler,
et al. [1981] describes this procedure in detail.
This section will outline the necessary steps and illustrate
the development of a simplified stress sequence for the purpose of showing the
effect of various sequence characteristics on crack-growth behavior. Understanding of these effects is of great
importance in determining the damage tolerance of a structure.