Computers in engineering

---

July 2005

Crack prediction down under

Engine maintenance can account for up to 40% of the total through-life support costs for military aircraft. Much of this maintenance cost stems from engine overhaul to replace components that have reached a fatigue life limit, even after undergoing a relatively small number of stress cycles. Referred to as "low-cycle fatigue," this phenomenon is an area of increasing interest to aerospace engineering specialists. In aging aircraft, low-cycle fatigue often reduces the useful life of components. That reduction in life span increases maintenance expenses and potentially can affect aircraft availability and safety.
read full story*

* This is a .pdf file. You’ll need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.