Aircraft Landing Gear Finite Element Analysis for Structural and Fatigue Safety

Abstract

Stress analysis is essential for determining the structural integrity and safety of aircraft assemblies. One of the most critical components of an aircraft structure is the landing gear, which endures high impact forces during takeoff and landing. A significant number of aircraft structural failures are attributed to malfunctioning landing gear. This study focuses on the structural design and stress analysis of the main landing gear of a commercial aircraft, with the aim of achieving a simple, lightweight, and cost-effective design. A 3D CAD model of a conventional Boeing 737 nose landing gear was developed and analyzed using ANSYS 2022 R1 software. The materials selected for comparative analysis were Nickel Chromium Molybdenum (NCM) alloy steel, Aluminum 1030, Titanium alloy, and EN19 structural steel. Structural and fatigue analyses were performed to evaluate stress distribution, deformation, and fatigue resistance across these materials. Based on the results, the most suitable material for landing gear applications is identified.