Transport helicopter blade root cuff attachment modernization concepts

Abstract

The article discusses the issue of modernizing the blade root cuff attachment of the main rotor blade of a Mi-8 type transport helicopter. Several geometry options were designed and the stress-strain state of various options in a nonlinear formulation under the influence of operational loads was calculated using numerical methods. Conclusions are provided regarding the strength and mass of the blade root cuff attachment options under consideration. The influence of the tightening value of fasteners and the use of adhesive on the stress distribution along the connection is analyzed. Analytical methods were used to determine the optimal dimensions of fastening elements.

Keywords

• blade root cuff attachment (BRCA); computer-aided engineering; durability; helicopter; nonlinear analysis; nu-merical methods; rotor blade; service life; stress-strain state (SSS).