Significance and Use
4.1 This practice provides general guidance for damage tolerance evaluation that can be used in conjunction with Specification F3115/F3115M to demonstrate adequate structural durability of metallic structures. Users of this practice must seek guidance from their CAAs for applicability and acceptance on guidance materials presented herein as one means of compliance.
4.1.1 Damage tolerance evaluation is required for Level 4 aeroplanes, and for pressurized aeroplanes with maximum operating altitude greater than 41 000 feet [12 497 meters].
4.1.2 For Levels 1, 2, or 3 aeroplanes when an applicant selects damage tolerance as certification basis, the scope of their damage tolerance evaluation, including assessment for widespread fatigue damage, can be defined in accordance with the guidance from their relevant CAA.
Scope
1.1 This practice provides general guidance for damage tolerance evaluation of metallic structures. This information can be used in conjunction with Specification F3115/F3115M to demonstrate adequate structural durability. Damage tolerance evaluation is required for some aircraft levels and is available as an option for other levels; see Specification F3115/F3115M for those requirements. The material was developed through open consensus of international experts in general aviation. The content may be more broadly applicable; it is the responsibility of the applicant to substantiate broader applicability as a specific means of compliance.
1.2 An applicant intending to propose this information as Means of Compliance for a design approval must seek guidance from their respective oversight authority (for example, published guidance from applicable civil aviation authorities, or CAAs) concerning the acceptable use and application thereof. For information on which oversight authorities have accepted this standard (whole or in part) as an acceptable Means of Compliance to their regulatory requirements (hereinafter “the Rules”), refer to the ASTM Committee F44 web page (www.astm.org/COMMITTEE/F44.htm).
1.3 Units—This practice may present information in either SI units, English Engineering units, or both; the values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents. Each system shall be used independently of the other; combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
