Kyriakos I. Kourousis

Temperature Controlled Aircraft Unit Load Devices: The Technological Response to Growing Global Air Cargo Cool Chain Requirements

Unit load devices (ULDs) are pallets and containers which are used to carry air cargo, mail and passengers baggage on wide-body aircraft. Using an in-depth case study, an empirical investigation was undertaken to examine the recent technological developments and innovations in the temperature-controlled containers that are used extensively in the growing and highly important air cargo cool chains. The results demonstrated that advances in refrigeration systems and the use of composite materials used in the construction of these containers have enhanced the ability of key stakeholders to provide unbroken cool-chains. The study further demonstrated that the services and expertise of Envirotainer, the case company, as well as its strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, underpin its ability to deliver and capture value from its participation in the industry.

Aluminum Alloy 7075 Ratcheting and Plastic Shakedown Evaluation with the Multiplicative Armstrong–Frederick Model

This work investigates experimentally and computationally the uniaxial ratcheting strain and plastic shakedown of aluminum alloy 7075-T6. The experimental results illustrate the existence of both p...

Mutual Recognition of National Military Airworthiness Authorities: A Streamlined Assessment Process

The Air and Space Interoperability Council (ASIC) has adopted the European Defence Agency (EDA) process for interregulatory military airworthiness authority recognition. However, there are gaps in the application of this process to nations outside of the European Union. This paper proposes a model that can effectively map diverse technical airworthiness regulatory frameworks. This model, referred to as the Product-Behaviour-Process (PBP) Bow-Tie model, provides the systematic structure needed to represent and compare regulatory frameworks. The PBP Bow-Tie model identifies key points of difference that need to be addressed, during inter-agency recognition between the two regulatory authorities. With the intention to adopt global use of the EDA process, the proposed PBP Bow-Tie model can be used as a basis for the successful recognition of regulatory frameworks outside of the European Union. Iris plots produced from the implementation of this model are presented, and proposed as a suitable means of illustrating the outcome of an assessment, and of supporting the comparisons of results. A comparative analysis of the Australian Defence Force and New Zealand Defence Force airworthiness regulatory frameworks is used as a case study. The case study clearly illustrates the effectiveness of the model in discerning regulatory framework differences; moreover, it has offered an opportunity to explore the limitations of the Iris plot.

The PBP Bow-Tie framework for the systematic representation and comparison of military aviation regulatory frameworks

This paper presents a novel framework, based on traditional system safety modelling approaches, for the representation and comparison of airworthiness aviation frameworks. A disparate array of military airworthiness frameworks have emerged due to a lack of standardisation and the absence of a recognised organisation needed for the harmonisation of military regulatory frameworks.. The complexity and subsequent cost in inter-agency recognition of existing certification programs has led to the establishment of a European forum of military airworthiness authorities. The forum is working towards establishing a common regulatory framework across its European member states. The common framework provides the systematic basis for a certification of military aircraft that can be readily recognised by all of the member states. This will have many cost and efficiency benefits for the EU. The framework and recognition process have recently been accepted as a method for establishing recognition outside of Europe, with some identified shortfalls. This paper establishes a method for overcoming these shortfalls for nations outside of europe. The Product-Behaviour-Process (PBP) Bow-Tie, which is a novel application of the traditional bowtie risk modelling tool, derives test points that capture the airworthiness attestations for the high-level engineering lifecycle processes of design, production and maintenance. The proposed framework is used to provide a comparison between the Australian Defence Force and United States Army regulatory frameworks. The comparative case-study clearly demonstrates the benefit of the PBP Bow-Tie model in its ability to systematically represent the disparate regulatory frameworks. A novel representation of the output is also described, which facilitates a visual comparison of the results. The application of the PBP Bow-Tie framework to the case-study of regulatory frameworks reveals significant differences that need to be addressed in order for inter-agency recognition.

The Introduction of Innovative Services in a State Owned Airline: A Case Study of an IT Migration Project

This study critically examines the transition process followed by a state-owned airline in a major IT migration project (introduction of novel electronic services). The change management process proposed by Kotter (1995) is examined in relation to the different phases identified, based on an interview based qualitative research. Focusing on the project team leaders a set of results is identified / determined, which provides significant insight into the key factors, deficiencies and outcomes of the project, with reference to the characteristics of a state-owned company. Further elaboration of the proposed methodology is deemed to be applicable in the identification of the weak and strong points of similar change projects.

Optimising the multiplicative AF model parameters for AA7075 cyclic plasticity and fatigue simulation

Purpose This study presents the improvements of the multicomponent Armstrong–Frederick model with multiplier (MAFM) performance through a numerical optimisation methodology available in a commercial software. Moreover, this study explores the application of a multiobjective optimisation technique for the determination of the parameters of the constitutive models using uniaxial experimental data gathered from aluminium alloy 7075-T6 specimens. This approach aims to improve the overall accuracy of stress–strain response, for not only symmetric strain-controlled loading but also asymmetrically strain- and stress-controlled loading. Design/methodology/approach Experimental data from stress- and strain-controlled symmetric and asymmetric cyclic loadings have been used for this purpose. The analysis of the influence of the parameters on simulation accuracy has led to an adjustment scheme that can be used for focused optimisation of the MAFM model performance. The method was successfully used to provide a better understanding of the influence of each model parameter on the overall simulation accuracy. Findings The optimisation identified an important issue associated with competing ratcheting and mean stress relaxation objectives, highlighting the issues with arriving at a parameter set that can simulate ratcheting and mean stress relaxation for load cases not reaching at complete relaxation. Practical implications The study uses a strain-life fatigue application to demonstrate the importance of incorporating a technique such as the presented multiobjective optimisation method to arrive at robust parameters capable of accurately simulating a variety of transient cyclic phenomena. Originality/value The proposed methodology improves the accuracy of cyclic plasticity phenomena and strain-life fatigue simulations for engineering applications. This study is considered a valuable contribution for the engineering community, as it can act as starting point for further exploration of the benefits that can be obtained through material parameter optimisation methodologies for models of the MAFM class.

A holistic approach to general aviation aircraft structural failure prevention in Australia

Ageing aircraft are becoming a major issue in the general aviation (GA) industry, both in terms of safety and maintenance and support cost. Ensuring a sound structure is considered one of the primary challenges in this area, it is, therefore, attracting the attention of the regulating authorities. The Civil Aviation Safety Agency (CASA) has taken a mixture of actions to tackle the various issues related to the diverse Australian GA ageing aircraft fleet. Further efforts focus on increasing the awareness of the different parties engaged in aircraft operations, maintenance and design, as well as quantification of the associated risk. In this frame a holistic approach is proposed to cover the various aspects, emphasizing the use of cost-effective structural health monitoring (SHM) systems and web-based education and information dissemination on ageing aircraft issues.

A simple model to estimate yield stress and variation of hardness in railheads

This technical note presents a macroscopic model capable of estimating the variation of hardness and yield stress at different railhead distances (depths) from the running surface. Published data, including results reported in previous works by the authors, have been utilised to calibrate and test the validity of the model. From this preliminary investigation, it was found that the model can accurately predict the measured hardness and yield stress values. It was also found that the model can represent the variation profile exhibited in the examined railhead material. This model, subject to further validation, has the potential to be used in practical applications.

Indian and Chinese aviation industry: the EASA framework option

Purpose This viewpoint aims to increase the awareness on the demand faced by the technical sector of the Indian and Chinese aviation industry and how this can be met by the adoption of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulatory framework. Design/methodology/approach A brief overview of the challenges that the Indian and the Chinese aviation industry is facing is provided, in terms of meeting the demand for sustainable growth. A description of the structure of the EASA framework and its main characteristics is presented, along with a focussed discussion on the framework’s applicability to the Indian and the Chinese aviation maintenance and broader continuing airworthiness sector. Findings The EASA regulatory framework can offer a safe and business-effective solution for the Indian and the Chinese aviation industry, aligning with world’s best practice. Practical implications A discussion in adopting the EASA framework in India and China can be helpful in increasing awareness and assisting decision makers realise that this is a possible option. Originality/value This viewpoint can be useful in provoking discussion, by summarising the key issues and points surrounding aviation regulation standardisation in India and China, along the lines of the EASA framework. Moreover, some possible ways to increase awareness around EASA in India and China are discussed from the point of view of influencing tomorrow’s decision makers.

The Balance Between Safety and Productivity and its Relationship with Human Factors and Safety Awareness and Communication in Aircraft Manufacturing

Background This paper presents the findings of a pilot research survey which assessed the degree of balance between safety and productivity, and its relationship with awareness and communication of human factors and safety rules in the aircraft manufacturing environment. Methods The study was carried out at two Australian aircraft manufacturing facilities where a Likert-scale questionnaire was administered to a representative sample. The research instrument included topics relevant to the safety and human factors training provided to the target workforce. The answers were processed in overall, and against demographic characteristics of the sample population. Results The workers were sufficiently aware of how human factors and safety rules influence their performance and acknowledged that supervisors had adequately communicated such topics. Safety and productivity seemed equally balanced across the sample. A preference for the former over the latter was associated with a higher awareness about human factors and safety rules, but not linked with safety communication. The size of the facility and the length and type of employment were occasionally correlated with responses to some communication and human factors topics and the equilibrium between productivity and safety. Conclusion Although human factors training had been provided and sufficient bidirectional communication was present across the sample, it seems that quality and complexity factors might have influenced the effects of those safety related practices on the safety–productivity balance for specific parts of the population studied. Customization of safety training and communication to specific characteristics of employees may be necessary to achieve the desired outcomes.