Objective
"The main challenge of the BOPACS project is to reduce the weight and costs of primary aerospace structures by developing bolt free adhesive bonded joints that comply with the airworthiness requirements.
Until today thin walled composite primary aerospace structures are joined by using a large number of fasteners. Bolt free joining would considerably contribute to the weight and cost reduction of aerospace structures.
Within BOPACS target applications will be selected that are commonly used in today’s aerospace primary structures and where adhesive bonding might advantageously replace conventional riveting / fastening. Based on these target application bolt free adhesive bonded joining methods will be developed that comply with the EASA airworthiness requirements.
Contrary to projects focusing on the development of non destructive techniques for the inspection of weak bonds, BOPACS proposes arigorous road map to certification by developing Means of Comply based on:
• Thorough research, beyond the state of the art, into the crack growth / disbond extension mechanisms in adhesively bonded joints.
• Design, analysis, testing and assessment of different categories of crack stopping design features, i.e. features that are capable of preventingcracks or disbonds from growing above a predefined acceptable size, with a joint still capable of carrying the limit load.
The project results and certification issues will be reviewed on a regular base by EASA representatives through the Airbus certification department."
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP7-AAT-2012-RTD-1
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Funding Scheme
CP-FP - Small or medium-scale focused research projectCoordinator
1059 CM Amsterdam
Netherlands
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Participants (13)
6041 Gosselies
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1348 Louvain La Neuve
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1130 Bruxelles / Brussel
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19000 Praha 18
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51147 Koln
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70174 Stuttgart
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82024 Taufkirchen
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265 04 Rio Patras
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8401 Winterthur
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BT3 9DZ Belfast
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80686 Munchen
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21129 Hamburg
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28906 Getafe
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