Damage tolerance analysis for Blackshape BS 115 programme, EASA CS VLA & CS-23

The thesis project has been developed in partnership with the Design Department of Blackshape Spa, a carbon – fiber ultra – light airplane company in Monopoli (Bari, Italy). The main goal is the assessment of a starting point for a damage tolerant concept during the design and certification phases of the Blackshape BS 115 airplane, with respect to EASA CS VLA & CS 23 Regulations. This approach has been carried out starting from an initial literary review as far as the way of modeling composites fractures is concerned. Further on, three finite element models have been generated and implemented in order to simulate defects occurring during manufacturing and service phases. At last, the procedures of non - destructive inspections have been taken into account, in order to establish how to investigate primary structures defects and delaminations during maintenance.