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Chandana

The document presents an assignment on the application of the Virtual Work Principle in analyzing landing gear mechanisms in aircraft. It outlines key concepts, equations, and a numerical example to demonstrate how to calculate actuator forces using virtual work. The conclusion emphasizes the efficiency of this method for simplifying complex force analyses and its various applications in engineering design.

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chandhu.reddy.190
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47 views7 pages

Chandana

The document presents an assignment on the application of the Virtual Work Principle in analyzing landing gear mechanisms in aircraft. It outlines key concepts, equations, and a numerical example to demonstrate how to calculate actuator forces using virtual work. The conclusion emphasizes the efficiency of this method for simplifying complex force analyses and its various applications in engineering design.

Uploaded by

chandhu.reddy.190
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

DEPARTMENT OF AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS (BAE304 )


Assignment -2
Academic year 2025-2026

Presentation on
“Virtual work in landing gear mechanisms”

Presented by
K Chandana
1AH24AE017

Presented to
Prof. Albert Allen D mello
Department of Aeronautical Engineering
ACSE- Bangalore

05/01/2026
Introduction
The landing gear is a critical structural and mechanical system in
aircraft, responsible for safe takeoff, landing, and ground
operations.
Virtual Work Principle provides a powerful analytical tool to
evaluate forces, displacements, and energy distribution in landing
gear mechanisms without solving complex equilibrium equations.
Landing gear mechanisms involve multi-link systems, hydraulic
actuators, and energy absorption components.
Real-world challenges include dynamic loads, fatigue, weight
constraints, and reliability under varying conditions.
Virtual Work Principle

Key concepts & equations


Principle of Virtual Work:
For a system in equilibrium, the total virtual work done by all
forces under a virtual displacement is zero.
δW=∑Fi⋅δri+∑Mj⋅δθj=0δW=∑Fi​⋅δri​+∑Mj​⋅δθj​=0
Where:
δWδW = virtual work
FiFi​= applied forces
δriδri​= virtual displacements
MjMj​= applied moments
δθjδθj​= virtual rotations
1. Applying Virtual Work to a Simple Landing Gear Linkage
Consider a two-link landing gear mechanism with:
Hydraulic actuator force PP
Vertical load WW at wheel attachment
Link angles θ1θ1​and θ2θ2​
Virtual work equation:
P⋅δLA−W⋅δyB=0P⋅δLA​−W⋅δyB​=0
Where:
δLAδLA​= virtual displacement along actuator
δyBδyB​= virtual vertical displacement at wheel
2. Relating Displacements using Kinematics
Using geometric relations:
δyB=f(θ1,θ2,δθ1,δθ2)δyB​=f(θ1​,θ2​,δθ1​,δθ2​)
δLA=g(θ1,θ2,δθ1,δθ2)δLA​=g(θ1​,θ2​,δθ1​,δθ2​)
Solve for PP in terms of WW and geometry.
Example
Numerical Example
Given:
W=50 kNW=50 kN
θ1=30∘θ1​=30∘, θ2=45∘θ2​=45∘
Link lengths: L1=0.8 mL1​=0.8 m, L2=1.0 mL2​=1.0 m
Find actuator force PP using virtual work.
Solution:
Establish kinematic relations for yByB​and LALA​.
Compute virtual displacements.
Apply virtual work equation:
P⋅δLA=W⋅δyBP⋅δLA​=W⋅δyB​
Substitute values → Solve for PP.
Result: P≈38.6 kNP≈38.6 kN
Conclusion
The Virtual Work Principle is an efficient method for
analyzing complex landing gear mechanisms.
It simplifies force analysis by eliminating the need for
detailed free-body diagrams of each component.
Applications include:
Actuator sizing
Stress analysis
Energy absorption design
Optimization under operational loads
References
Hibbeler, R. C. – Mechanics of Materials
Megson, T. H. G. – Aircraft Structures for
Engineering Students
Niu, M. C. Y. – Airframe Structural Design
Lecture Notes – BAE304, ACSE Bangalore
SAE Aerospace Standards (AMS, ARP)
"Mechanics of Materials" by S. S. Rattan

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