Structural analysis and certification

This paper contains personal contributions discussed in a collaborative working group ICAO-IFAR DiTAC Action “Digital Transformation in Aircraft Certification” in order to highlight that the certification requirements are satisfied in a structural analysis process. Compliance with CS-25 when using FEM is demonstrated through engineering justification, correlation with test results (when available), application of appropriate safety margins, and documentation of all modelling assumptions and boundary conditions. Each analysis must provide evidence that the structural behavior meets the regulatory criteria under all applicable loading conditions. Performed structural analyses are verified for compliance with applicable EASA certification requirements, in this case, CS-25. It is described that there is no direct correspondence between CS-25 certification requirements and the FEM modelling process, since the regulation defines safety objectives, not recommending specific analysis methodologies.