Aircraft landing gear simulation and analysis
A computer aided graphical synthesis was undertaken to understand the kinematics of a nose wheel landing gear mechanism such as that on the Lockheed F-16 using Working Model software. The mobility of the design was verified by computer animation. Computer modeling and finite element analysis are explored to analyze stresses developed while landing at normal sink rates. The deflections of the main spring gear are calculated and the internal stresses evaluated utilizing the finite element program Stardyne (Research Engineers, Inc.). The results of the modeling and simulation are discussed in this paper.