Title

Factor of Safety - USAF Design Practice

Date

1978

Index Abstract

Coming Soon

Photo Quality

Complete

Report Number

AFFDL TR 78-8

Creator

Miller, George E.

Schmid, Clement J.

Corporate Author

Structural Integrity Branch

Laboratory

Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory

Extent

104

Identifier

ADA070237

Access Rights

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited

Distribution Classification

1

Contract

Laboratory Research - No Contract

DoD Project

2401

DoD Task

240101

DTIC Record Exists

Yes

Distribution Change Authority Correspondence

None

Abstract

A review of the historical development of the 1.5 structural factor of safety for airplanes, the 1.4 factor for manned space vehicles, and the 1.25 factor for missiles is presented from an Air Force perspective. Several variations and experimental applications of the factor of safety design concept and reliability based design concepts are also reviewed to show their interaction. Although not without criticism, the factor of safety design concept has become an almost universally accepted measure of flight safety. There is, however, a tendency among engineers to both challenge the continued application of factors of safety for efficient airframe design, and yet to avoid any changes that would challenge the confidence of future designs. The use of reliability based concepts will probably increase but their application to airframe design may be limited. The factor of safety still covers many contingencies and it appears at this time there will be a continuing need for some factor.

Report Availability

Full text available

Date Issued

1978-04

Provenance

AFRL/VACA

Type

report

Format

1 online resource