Presentation of the Dehavilland Comet crash due to metal fatigue

In summary, the Dehavilland Comet crash was attributed to metal fatigue, a failure mechanism that occurs when materials are subjected to repeated stress over time. Investigations revealed that the design flaws and the use of square windows in the aircraft contributed to stress concentrations, leading to catastrophic structural failures during flight. This incident underscored the critical importance of rigorous testing and inspection protocols in aviation design to ensure safety and prevent similar tragedies.
  • #1
siuolleboss479
1
0
Hi,
I need some help,
I want to do a presentation of the Dehavilland Comet crash due to metal fatigue and want explain what caused this with a Paris law equation.
So I watched this video: https://shorturl.at/xlUp4
The goal is to find the number of cycles that the fuselage went through during its lifetime before it torn off. In my case I find 1.272*10^33 instead of 1272 in the video, how can I explain it? I put the link going to the exact timeline of the video so you can understand what i'm talking about.
Here's the video of me trying to resolve it on the calculator:
Good day,
Louis
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF.
siuolleboss479 said:
The goal is to find the number of cycles that the fuselage went through during its lifetime before it torn off. In my case I find 1.272*10^33 instead of 1272 in the video, how can I explain it?
Is it only the 10^33 exponent that is a problem with your calculation?
 
  • #3
Not many people are going to spend their time trolling through the videos, so you are more likely to get helpful answers if you post the formula (use Latex!) and the input values you used.

But even though I'm not going to sit through the videos, an error that is both enormous and an exact power of ten usually means that you messed up your units or multiplied/divided somewhere when you should have divided/multiplied. Because 30 is equal to six times five, I would be especially suspicious of any input that is raised to the fifth power.
 

FAQ: Presentation of the Dehavilland Comet crash due to metal fatigue

What was the primary cause of the De Havilland Comet crash?

The primary cause of the De Havilland Comet crash was identified as metal fatigue, which led to structural failure of the aircraft. The design of the Comet, particularly its square windows, contributed to stress concentrations that accelerated the onset of fatigue cracks in the fuselage.

How did metal fatigue affect the Comet's structure?

Metal fatigue caused microscopic cracks to develop in the aircraft's aluminum structure over time, particularly around areas subjected to repeated stress, such as the corners of the square windows. These cracks eventually grew to a point where they compromised the structural integrity of the aircraft, leading to catastrophic failure during flight.

What steps were taken after the Comet crashes to improve aircraft safety?

After the Comet crashes, several measures were implemented to improve aircraft safety, including redesigning the aircraft's windows to a more oval shape to reduce stress concentrations, improving inspection techniques to detect fatigue cracks, and establishing stricter maintenance protocols. Additionally, the aviation industry adopted more rigorous testing and certification processes for aircraft design.

What role did the investigation play in understanding metal fatigue?

The investigation into the Comet crashes played a crucial role in understanding metal fatigue by highlighting the need for better research into the effects of cyclic loading on aircraft materials. It led to the development of new testing methods and standards for assessing the durability of aircraft components, ultimately enhancing safety in aviation engineering.

Have there been any advancements in technology to detect metal fatigue since the Comet crashes?

Yes, since the Comet crashes, there have been significant advancements in technology for detecting metal fatigue. Techniques such as non-destructive testing (NDT), including ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, and digital image correlation, have been developed to identify fatigue cracks and assess the condition of aircraft structures more effectively, ensuring safer operation of modern aircraft.

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