A Structures Perspective on the Challenges Associated with Analyzing a Reusable Hypersonic Platform. Eason, T., G., Spottswood, S., M., Chona, R., & Penmetsa, R. In 54th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, 2013.
A Structures Perspective on the Challenges Associated with Analyzing a Reusable Hypersonic Platform [pdf]Paper  A Structures Perspective on the Challenges Associated with Analyzing a Reusable Hypersonic Platform [link]Website  doi  abstract   bibtex   
The AFRL Structural Sciences Center (SSC) is researching and developing methods for structural-scale simulation to address those deficiencies in the analysis of extreme-environment structures that have historically stymied the USAF and the aerospace community at large. To address these challenges, the Structural Sciences Center at the Air Force Research Laboratory, has embarked on a campaign with industry to uncover the knowledge gaps associated with defining the structural margins for a reusable Mach 5-7 air breathing class hypersonic vehicle. The current focus of this campaign includes: (1) reviewing the structural challenges encountered in past high-speed structures programs, (2) assessing the current state-of-the-art in design and analysis methods; and (3) identifying critical knowledge gaps in current methods. Each of these areas will be discussed and presented, with the goal of energizing the aerospace community to participate in helping to define and develop an appropriate series of relevant benchmark challenge problems to address key critical knowledge gaps.

Downloads: 0