During the design stages of the shuttle orbiter, fracture-mechanics concepts were applied extensively to the highly stressed areas of the structure. This was the first space program to require a comprehensive fracture mechanics approach to prevent structural failures from crack or crack-like defects. As anticipated, some difficult problems were encountered. This paper briefly describes some of them together with the procedure used for fracture control on the orbiter. It is believed that the principles and methods as presented herein can serve as an example of fracture control for aerospace and other industries.


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    Title :

    Application of fracture mechanics on the space shuttle


    Additional title:

    Anwendung der Bruchmechanik auf die space shuttle


    Contributors:
    Forman, R.G. (author) / Hu, Tianlai (author)


    Publication date :

    1984


    Size :

    26 Seiten, 21 Bilder, 3 Tabellen, 16 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English