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Design of composite landing gear for an LSA airplane

Jakub Cejpek (Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Vysoke Uceni Technicke v Brne, Brno, Czech Republic)

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

ISSN: 0002-2667

Article publication date: 8 May 2018

329

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a software tool under development by the author. Based on industry demands, a software tool is developed to fill the gap between commercial software and limited closed-form analysis in this specific area.

Design/methodology/approach

Python programming language offers a great potential to develop relatively simple software that includes graphical user interface and can be turned into an executable file – therefore easily spread. Also, thanks to large community, Python offers extended scientific libraries for solving number of engineering problems. Results are compared to the commercially available software (in this case, MSC NASTRAN). Further evaluation is done to compare results to the laboratory tests.

Findings

First results were obtained from the comparison between KuFEM and NASTRAN. These results are sufficient reassurance for next stages of development. Next results are the comparison of KuFEM results to the laboratory test. As only one type of product has been tested, no final conclusion can be made. However, within these limits, the results are very promising and optimistic.

Research limitations/implications

Future development will include further evaluation on different products, even more composite-oriented calculations, enhanced graphical environment.

Practical implications

KuFEM, within its limits, is an alternative to other commercial programs. It is meant to compromise between limited closed-form designs and detailed designs in expensive software.

Originality/value

KuFEM is a unique software tool. It allows user to work with finite element method in a simple preprogrammed way. It enhances the standard BEAM elements to go deeper in the analysis. Currant evaluation promises potential good results.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This project is an initiative by the author of this paper. The author would like to thank the TechProAviation, s.r.o. company for all the support and trust. The program can be useful only with the hard laboratory data, provided by the company.

Citation

Cejpek, J. (2018), "Design of composite landing gear for an LSA airplane", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 90 No. 4, pp. 679-687. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-11-2016-0216

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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