AMC VLA 619ย Special factors (Acceptable Means of
Compliance)
ED Decision 2003/18/RM
For the substantiation of composite structures, unless more rational means are agreed by the Agency, one of the following may be used:
a.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย An additional factor of 1.2 for moisture conditioned specimen tested at maximum service temperature, providing that a well established manufacturing and quality control procedure is used.
b.ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย An additional factor of 1.5 for specimen tested with no specific allowance for moisture and temperature.
NOTES:
1ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย For cold cured structures it may be assumed that the completed structure is fully moisture conditioned.
2ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย The factor in a. above may be varied based on the coefficient of variation that the manufacturer is able to show for this product. (See Table 1.)
TABLE 1
|
Coefficient of Variation % |
Test Factor |
|
5 |
1ยท00 |
|
6 |
1ยท03 |
|
7 |
1ยท06 |
|
8 |
1ยท10 |
|
9 |
1ยท12 |
|
10 |
1ยท15 |
|
12 |
1ยท22 |
|
14 |
1ยท30 |
|
15 |
1ยท33 |
|
20 |
1ยท55 |
Definition: Coefficient of Variation
For a population with mean M and standard deviation s, the coefficient of variation, Cv, is defined byย -
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The coefficient of variation is frequently expressed as a percentage, in which case
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Additional Advisory Material:
When the population coefficient of variation is estimated from tests of critical structural features, the results from tests of at least 6 specimens should be used.
The sample coefficient of variation should be adjusted to obtain a 95% confidence estimate of the population coefficient of variation which may be used in Table 1.
In the absence of a more rational method, this may be done by multiplying the sample coefficient of variation by a Factor F, defined by -

where -
Up is the standardised normal variate corresponding to the confidence level being used (for 95% confidence, Up = 1ยท6452)
n is the number of specimens in the Sample
f is the number of statistical degree of freedom [=(n-1)]
c is the population coefficient of variation. The value of the factor F is relatively relatively insensitive to the value of c used โ in the absence of more rational data, a value of 0ยท2 should be used.
EASA VLA Composite Structure Certification: For very light aircraft composite structures, use a safety factor of 1.2 (moisture conditioned, max temp) or 1.5 (no moisture/temp allowance) unless EASA approves alternatives. Adjust the 1.2 factor based on manufacturing consistency (coefficient of variation). Statistical analysis requires at least six specimens.
* Summary by Aviation.Bot - Always consult the original document for the most accurate information.
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