Simulation driven design helps solve C5 cargo door problem

Abstract

Simulation driven design helped Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems solve a fatigue‐related problem on the cargo door of the C5 transport plane. Cracks in the area of the door’s upper hinge had led the Air Force to impose a special visual inspection of the door prior to each ADS mission. Use of dynamics analysis software enabled Lockheed Martin to quickly find several solutions by allowing engineers to evaluate many alternatives without testing prototypes. Within four months of taking on the project, Lockheed Martin presented the Air Force with the three best options indicated by the analysis. These included altering the hydraulic door actuator by means of a restrictive device, beefing up the surrounding structure, and redesigning the basic door mechanism to improve the interaction between the actuator and the door.

Citation

Pinnick, A. (1999), "Simulation driven design helps solve C5 cargo door problem", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 4, pp. 346-349. https://doi.org/10.1108/00022669910277351