Improvement of diagnostic process for aircraft component damage

Аннотация

The paper examines current approaches to improving the diagnostic process for detecting damage in aircraft structural components under operational conditions. Particular attention is given to aircraft landing gear elements, which are subjected to significant cyclic, impact and vibration loads during take-off, landing and taxiing. The study analyses the influence of operational factors, including load intensity, climatic conditions and runway quality, on the accumulation of fatigue damage and the reduction of structural reliability.
A comprehensive diagnostic approach is proposed, combining vibration diagnostics with a software-based model for selecting the optimal inspection method depending on the type of structural element, material properties, operating conditions and nature of the suspected defect. The principles of vibration diagnostics based on the analysis of amplitude, frequency and energy characteristics of vibration signals are considered. The high sensitivity of vibration parameters to the early stages of structural degradation, including fatigue cracks, weakening of joints and microstructural defects, is substantiated.
The developed software model includes algorithms for analysing the diagnostic object, determining dominant degradation factors, generating informative diagnostic parameters and selecting the most effective inspection method. Comparative analysis of existing diagnostic methods demonstrates the advantages of vibration diagnostics in terms of early defect detection, automation capability and reduction of labour intensity. The proposed approach enables continuous monitoring of technical condition without dismantling structural components and supports the transition from scheduled maintenance to condition-based maintenance.
The implementation of the proposed diagnostic approach contributes to improving aircraft reliability, increasing flight safety, optimising maintenance schedules and reducing operational costs. The obtained results confirm the перспективность of integrating vibration diagnostics and intelligent software systems into modern aircraft maintenance processes.