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look at the possible Failure Modes, the Effect and how Critical that is to the system. Ranking the critcality means you can then make design decision with some confidence that you know what is the most important consideration
Failure Mode: Float holed after collision with foreign object in water
Effect: Loss of boyancy of float (can quantify it here eg. '900lb')
Criticality: High (or give it a rank once all the other failures have been decided on).
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Bryan,
This has to be why I'm not seeing mention of additional flotation merntioned in the design texts. Even going back as far as my earliest text (1928), flotation material was available to them. Risk benefits having been examined, the watertight bulkheads have been the response.
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One thing to consider is how you will predict a Failure. Ie. will you notice a crack, delamination, vibration, etc before failure?
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This is however, mentioned quite clearly in both of my texts. The issue of interior inspection is mentioned various times quite promenently. I have a high degree of confidence in the glue joints, holing via impact moves up the criticality ladder as a result of that confidence, so am fighting the impulse to over engineer, (a typical amateur response). I've read about this response on a number of occasions now!
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As David says, you can treat the Criticality with operational procedures (doesn't always have to be a redesign). Then go back and compare your treatment with your mission profile and see if it still works. Then go and recheck the weight limitations you have (important to set a hard and fast not-to-exceed weight!)
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Precisely! I have already seen that "back taxi" and "dragging the landing zone" is a recommended operational procedure. I wonder what the actual mathematical reduction in probability of an incident is by implementing this simple procedure. I'll bet it's measureable!
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Now - on to the fun stuff. Does anyone know if a Nieuport 17 was tested on floats? I've just moved to Pt Cook (home of Australian military aviation) and the original Pt Cook aerodrome (10min from my house) has a flying boat ramp! My brain is skipping ahead a bit here.....
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Now that is truly neat! There have been a number of WWI seaplanes that caught my eye, here is one of them, a Nieuport IV....
Done nicely, this would be another spectacular project, and in the absence of drawings, could still be replicated using contemporary design models, photos / drawings, and standard aeronautical practices.
Care to join me for a swim?......
Chris,
Fabulous little drawings, thank you for taking the time to do those! The discussion has been spectacularly helpful!!!!