Prediction of ultimate load for aircraft vertical tail buffeting

Aiming at achieving high speed and large maneuverability performance, the buffet loads should be considered to provide adequate strength at all corners of the operational envelope. Buffet subcases were classified according to flight conditions, to establish data storing relations within buffet load data base. A method was proposed to reconstruct buffet loads using the response data from limited buffet response measurement points. The ultimate load for aircraft vertical tail buffeting was predicted based on the selected probabilistic distribution model. Finally, the procedure of the method was illustrated by the ultimate load prediction for a real aircraft vertical tail buffeting.