Experimental strength and fatigue assessment of a disbonded F/A-18A/B/C/D inner wing step lap joint

icaf2023 Tracking Number 59

This paper describes the test campaign performed by the National Research Council Canada (NRC) on a disbonded F/A-18A/B/C/D Inner Wing Step Lap Joint (IWSLJ). Many disbonds have been reported by the F/A-18A/B/C/D fleet operator. The majority of the disbonds found are small relative to the size of the IWSLJ. The immediate effects of those disbonds and their changes in a long term are not well understood. The NRC is conducting a component test aimed at better understanding the effects of a partially disbonded IWSLJ on the F/A-18 wing structural integrity. This paper will summarize the objectives of the component test, as well as the approach used to address the test objectives, which combines several innovative techniques in the area of data sensing. This paper will summarize the test results to date as well as lessons learned