Study of fatigue failures in aircraft jet engine maintenance

ABSTRACT Master of Science Thesis STUDY OF FATIGUE FAILURES IN AIRCRAFT JET ENGINE MAINTENANCE ALPER ULUDA? Anadolu University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences Civil Aviation Program Supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr. Müge A. KAYRAK 2002, 168 pages In this thesis, importance of fatigue failures in aircraft jet engine maintenance is considered. This study consists of four main sections. In the first section, definition of fatigue failure, its characteristics, fatigue tests and factors affecting fatigue event are explained. In the second section, the properties of jet engine materials, the failures experienced in jet engine materials and importance of fatigue failures in jet engine maintenance is studied, examples of jet engine maintenance activities and maintenance programs, approaches which are used in prevention of fatigue failures are given. Furthermore, the determination of the life of jet engine parts and periods of maintenance are studied. In the third section, nondestructive inspection methods used in jet engine maintenance to detect fatigue failures, advantages and disadvantages of these methods are studied and examples of applications are given. In the fourth section, some examples of nondestructive inspection methods regarding fatigue failures detection are given. These examples are implemented in Eskişehir Is4 Air Support and Maintenance Center for the overhaul activities of F110-GE-100 turbofan engines of F-16 fighter aircraft in Turkish Air Force inventory. In conclusion, these applications performed in jet engine maintenance to prevent fatigue failures are evaluated and their results are presented. Keywords: Jet Engine, Fatigue Failures, Nondestructive Inspection Methods, Jet Engine Maintenance, Fatigue Life