Structures and Materials (SM)

Technical Programme GoR Structures and Materials (SM)

Structural and material research in aeronautics strives to reduce structural weight, improve safety and reliability, keep operation cost low, reduce environmental impact and improve passenger comfort. In many cases the research tasks are strongly interconnected so that an optimum design can only be reached through balanced improvements in all fields.

The GoR SM is active in initiating basic and applied R&T for both civil and defence applications. Areas of research in structures and materials are:

• Advanced materials
• Structural concepts
• Design criteria
• Verification procedures
• Manufacturing technologies

Current GoR SM Action Groups

	Topic	Start	End
AG27	Fractographic aspects of fatigue failure in complex composite laminates and structures	2001	2007
AG29	Interchangeability of composite materials	2004	2007
AG30	High velocity impact	2004	2008
AG31	Damage management in composites	2004	2009
AG32	Damage growth in composites	2004	2009
AG33	RTM Materials properties during curing	2005	2009

Complete list of past and current GoR SM Action Groups

Current GoR SM Exploratory Groups

	Topic
EG32	Smart actuators for aerod. surf. of devices
EG33	Methods for mass estim. for comp. airframes
EG34	Automated composites fabrication

New Topics Under Review

The following topics are being discussed for future Exploratory Groups:

• Nano technology;
• Morphing wing;
• Bonded repairs;
• new design philosophies on metallic airframes;
• life extension in metallics airframes.

Open publications of past and current Action Groups

List of GoR SM Open Technical Reports

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