The Ultimate Factor of Safety for Aircraft and Spacecraft - Its History, Applications and Misconceptions | Zendy

John J. Zipay | Zendy; C. Thomas Modlin | Zendy; Curtis E. Larsen | Zendy

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The Ultimate Factor of Safety for Aircraft and Spacecraft - Its History, Applications and Misconceptions

Author(s) -

John J. Zipay,

C. Thomas Modlin,

Curtis E. Larsen

Publication year - 2016

Publication title -

56th aiaa/asce/ahs/asc structures, structural dynamics, and materials conference

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Conference proceedings

DOI - 10.2514/6.2016-1715

Subject(s) - spacecraft , aeronautics , aerospace engineering , computer science , astrobiology , engineering , physics

The ultimate factor of safety (FOSULT) concept used in aircraft and spacecraft has evolved over many decades. Currently an FOSULT 1.5 is the FARmandated value for aircraft while an FOSULT of 1.4 has been used in various spacecraft. This paper was motivated by the desire to concisely explain the origins, proper interpretation and application of the ultimate factor of safety concept, since the authors have seen throughout their careers many misconceptions and incorrect applications of this concept. The history of the ultimate factor of safety concept is briefly summarized, the proper application of the factor of safety in aircraft design, structural analysis and operations is covered in detail, examples of limit load exceedance in aircraft and spacecraft are discussed, the evolution of the 1.4 FOSULT for spacecraft is described and some misconceptions regarding the ultimate factor of safety concept are addressed. It is hoped that this paper can be a summary resource for engineers to understand the origin, purpose and proper application of the ultimate factor of safety.

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