Prediction of Remaining Useful Life of Aircraft Components Using Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) Data

Current NDI technology is capable of identifying flawed composite aircraft components that are then often replaced or repaired without ascertaining the significance of the flaw state. Present guidelines provide repair/no repair criteria for an individual small flaw. Present guidelines are lacking in cases where multiple small flaws are detected. Thus there is a need to develop quantitative guidelines for predicting residual life in composite aircraft components containing multiple small flaws. Using McClellan's NDI equipment and Silicon Graphics computers as the inspection system and the Marine Corp's Harrier Jump Jet Wing as the demonstration component, we shall illustrate and confirm the capability of predicting residual life in composite aircraft components. In Phase I, we shall: 1. Review previous evaluations of McClellan's NDI equipment; 2. Assess capability of McClellan's NDI equipment to achieve goals; 3. Identify any auxiliary equipment required; and 4. Define supplemental information required for Phase II. In Phase II, we shall develop the quantitative algorithms and procedures to determine the residual useful life in composite aircraft structures, using McClellan's NDI systems and the Harrier Jump Jet Wing as the demonstration model.