Tripoli
A NEW INTEGRAL AIRFRAME STRUCTURES (IAS) FOR REDUCING MANUFACTURING COSTS
Mustafa A. El Mosbahy(1) and Sameh S. Ahmed(2)
ABSTRACT
In this paper, the NASA Integral Airframe Structures (IAS) program has been investigated, and gained significant experience toward validating, the feasibility of using "integrally stiffened" construction for commercial transport aircraft fuselage structure.
The objectives of the program were to build and test structure that was less expensive than current "built-up" structure, yet equal in structural performance and weight. The IAS program has shown significant results toward the advancement and application of integrally stiffened fuselage structure. Testing performed as part of this program provided valuable data and experience for designing integral fuselage structure.
KEYWORDS: Aircraft structure, life assessment, Fuselage cost, IAS