• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.32 no.12
• /
• pp.1132-1139
• /
• 2008

The aim of this study is to apply shape optimization technique for the repair of aging airframe components, which may extend fatigue life substantially. Free-form optimum shapes of a cracked part to be reworked or replaced are investigated with the objective to minimize the peak local stress concentration or fatigue-damage. Iterative non-gradient method, which is based on an analogy with biological growth, is employed by incorporating the robust optimization method to take account of the stochastic nature of the loading conditions. Numerical examples of optimal hole shape in a flat plate are presented to validate the proposed method. The method is then applied to determine the reworked or replacement shape for the repair of a cracked rib in the rear assembly wing body of aircraft.