Abstract: According to the relative technical reports of previous Soviet Union in procceedings of the first sino-soviet symposium on aircraft structure strength, 1991, the analysis and test methods on durability and damage tolerance (involving thermal stress) of aircraft structures in previous USSR are simply summarized in this paper. The methods are based on correct theoretical analysis and a lot of tests and servicing experience. By means of the methods, the life limit of a new aircraft is properly determined and the life limit of a servicing aircraft is extended step by step and aircraft structure integrity is ensured.

Key words: durability, damage tolerance. life limit