Aircraft Structures Tutorial 2

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of establishing a reference datum on an aircraft?

  • To facilitate precise location of any point on the aircraft for manufacturing, maintenance, and weight balance. (correct)
  • To determine the aesthetic design of the aircraft's exterior.
  • To calculate the maximum airspeed the aircraft can safely achieve.
  • To streamline communication between pilots and air traffic control.

Why is a purely monocoque fuselage design generally unsuitable for large aircraft?

  • The weight-to-strength ratio becomes unfavorable as fuselage diameter increases, requiring thicker skins. (correct)
  • It is prone to corrosion and difficult to inspect.
  • It does not allow for internal pressurization of the cabin.
  • It is too complex to manufacture and assemble.

In semi-monocoque fuselage construction, what role do stringers primarily serve?

  • To provide a mounting structure for the aircraft's engines.
  • To act as the primary load-bearing components in bending.
  • To serve as attachment points for interior fixtures and panels.
  • To distribute loads and provide stability to the skin. (correct)

Which of the following best describes the function of spars in a stressed-skin wing construction?

<p>To act as the main longitudinal structural members carrying bending loads. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a Pratt truss fuselage, what is the primary function of the diagonal members?

<p>To carry tension and compression loads. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does a Warren truss fuselage differ structurally from a Pratt truss fuselage?

<p>Warren trusses connect longerons with only diagonal members, while Pratt trusses use rigid vertical and lateral members in addition to diagonals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a monocoque design from a semi-monocoque design?

<p>Monocoque designs rely solely on the skin for strength, while semi-monocoque designs have the skin reinforced by additional support. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which flight control surface is primarily responsible for the rolling action of an aircraft?

<p>Aileron (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do slats contribute to improved aircraft performance, particularly during low-speed flight?

<p>By energizing the boundary layer and delaying flow separation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of aircraft design, what is the main goal of ‘fail-safe’ design philosophy?

<p>To ensure that if one structural element fails, the load is redistributed so the aircraft can continue to fly safely. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the purpose of establishing a reference datum on an aircraft?

<p>To specify and identify every area or point on the aircraft for locating specific points, weight and balance, and repairs. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Monocoque fuselage construction is highly suitable for large aircraft due to its weight-to-strength ratio.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a semi-monocoque fuselage construction, what is the primary function of stringers?

<p>To distribute loads and prevent skin buckling under compression. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In stressed-skin wing construction, the ______ are the primary components that resist bending loads.

<p>spars</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the fuselage component with its description:

<p>Longeron = A primary longitudinal member providing strength and stiffness. Stringer = A secondary longitudinal member that helps prevent skin buckling. Frame = A transverse structural member providing shape and support.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of ailerons on an aircraft?

<p>To control the aircraft's roll around its longitudinal axis. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Slats are typically found on the trailing edge of an aircraft wing and are deployed to increase drag during landing.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of spoilers on an aircraft?

<p>Spoilers are used to reduce lift and increase drag, typically during landing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of structural design, Safe-Life is determined by estimating the ______ and frequency of loads a structure will encounter.

<p>magnitude</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key characteristic of 'alternate load path construction' in fail-safe design?

<p>One member carries the entire load, with another standing by to take over if the first fails. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a 'multiple load path construction,' if one member fails, the remaining members do not experience any change in their load distribution.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a design limitation for Fail-Safe philosophy?

<p>The structure must be designed to be as lightweight as possible, regardless of stress. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of aircraft structural design, what does 'Damage Tolerance' refer to?

<p>Damage tolerance is the ability of a structure to withstand damage without catastrophic failure until the damage is detected and repaired.</p> Signup and view all the answers

One of the first steps in Damage Tolerance design is to establish the ______ which are to be designed as damage tolerant.

<p>components</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the manufacturing process to the aircraft part

<p>Formed Section = Fuselage Skin Metal Sheets = Wing Spar Extruded Section = Longerons Forging = Stringers Casting = Wing Root Fairing</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Water Line in aircraft structural reference?

<p>To locate vertical points on the aircraft. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Butt Line is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a Pratt Truss fuselage construction?

<p>Longerons connected with rigid vertical and lateral members called struts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A ______ fuselage design relies on the skin being reinforced by additional supporting structures.

<p>semi-monocoque</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a wing, what is the main purpose of ribs?

<p>To maintain the airfoil shape and distribute aerodynamic loads. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Fuselage Station Line

A reference datum line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis used to locate longitudinal points on the aircraft.

Butt Line

A reference datum line parallel to the longitudinal axis used to locate lateral points across the aircraft.

Waterline

A reference datum line along the longitudinal axis used to locate vertical points on the aircraft.

Purpose of Reference Datum

To specify and identify every area or point of the aircraft.

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Monocoque Fuselage Unsuitability

Weight to strength ratio increases as the diameter increases. This results in thicker skins requiring larger structural stresses during flight.

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Pratt Truss

Connects with rigid vertical and lateral members. Diagonal members give tension/compression.

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Flaps (Aircraft)

Change camber or increase the wing area. It increases lift during take-off and increases drag for lower flight speeds for landing.

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Slats (Aircraft)

Helps to energize the flow at the boundary layer, delaying flow separation and also increasing lift at low speeds.

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Spoilers (Aircraft)

Increases drag and reduces lift to reduce aircraft speed during landing.

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Calculating Safe-Life

Designer estimates magnitude and frequency of application of loads.

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Semi-Monocoque Components

Structural components include longerons, stringers, keel beams, floor beams, shear ties, bulkheads, frames, and outer skin.

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Stressed-Skin Wing Components

Structural components include ribs, stringers, and spars.

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Warren Truss Fuselage

Longerons connected only by diagonal members; capable of carrying both tension and compression loadings.

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Monocoque Design

Formed by a cone or tube without reinforcement from internal structural members.

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Semi-Monocoque Design

Fuselage design in which the fuselage skin is reinforced by additional supporting structures

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Fail-Safe Designs

Alternate load path and Multiple load path construction

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Design Limitations: Fail-Safe

Material thickness, crack propagation resistance, and crack length limitation features.

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Damage Tolerance Design Steps

Components are designed to be damage tolerant. Define loading conditions.

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Aileron (Aircraft)

Primary control component for the rolling action of the aircraft and is normally attached on the tip of the wing.

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Study Notes

  • Aircraft structures are covered in Tutorial 2, including lectures 5, 6, 7, & 10.

Aircraft Reference Lines

  • Fuselage station line, butt line, and waterline are reference lines on aircraft diagrams.
  • The body station line is a reference datum line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and it is used for locating longitudinal points.
  • The waterline is a reference datum line along the longitudinal axis, used to locate vertical points.
  • The butt line is a reference datum line parallel to the longitudinal axis, and it is used to locate lateral points across the aircraft.

Referencing Datum

  • Referencing datum is established so every area/point of the aircraft can be specified and identified.
  • It facilitates locating specific points on the aircraft for weight/balance and repairs/maintenance.

Monocoque Fuselage

  • Monocoque fuselage construction is unsuitable for large aircraft due to an increase in the weight-to-strength ratio of the fuselage.
  • With monocoque fuselages the diameter of the fuselage increases for large aircraft so ticker skins are required to take structural stresses.

Semi-Monocoque Fuselage Construction

  • Structural components: Longerons, stringers, keel beams, floor beams, shear ties, bulkheads, frames, and outer skin.

Stressed-Skin Wing Construction

  • Structural components: Ribs, stringers, and spars.

Fuselage Parts

  • The main components: Main frame, longeron, stringers, horizontal beam, fairing, wing root rib, floor panel, center wing box, and seat tracks.

Fuselage Construction Types

  • Pratt Truss
    • Features longerons connected with rigid vertical and lateral members called struts.
    • Diagonal members made of tubing or solid rods carry tension/compression loads.
  • Warren Truss
    • Connects longerons with only diagonal members.
    • All members can carry both tensive and compressive loadings.
  • Monocoque
    • Formed by construction of a cone or tube without reinforcement from internal structural members.
  • Semi-Monocoque
    • Fuselage design where skin is reinforced by additional supporting structures.

Wing Parts

  • Includes: Rear spar, front spar, ribs, and stringers.

Aircraft Components Functions

  • Aileron
    • Primary control component for the rolling action of the aircraft.
    • Normally attached on the tip of the wing.
  • Flap
    • Changes the camber/increases the wing area.
    • Deployment increases lift during take-off and drag for lower flight speeds for landing.
    • Often found on the trailing edge of the wing.
  • Slat
    • Energizes flow at the boundary layer, delaying flow separation and increasing lift at low speeds.
    • Found on the leading edge of the wing.
  • Spoilers
    • Increases drag/reduces lift to reduce aircraft speed during landing for shorter distance.
    • Installed on the upper surfaces on the aircraft wing.

Safe-Life Calculation

  • Designer must estimate magnitude and frequency of application of loads during normal operation.
  • This estimate is derived from results obtained over years on other aircraft with load measuring and counting devices.

Fail-Safe Designs

  • Alternate load path construction involves one member normally taking all the load.
    • Another unloaded member is ready to take over if there is a failure.
  • Multiple load path construction involves an applied load being resisted by more than one member.
    • If one member fails, its share of the load is distributed to the remaining members.

Fail-Safe Design Limitations

  • Material thickness must keep stress levels low to reduce fatigue failure and provide the required strength/stiffness if other structure fails.
  • Material used must resist crack propagation.
  • Structural design should limit the maximum length of a crack.
  • The design must allow for regular inspection.

Fail-Safe Structure Application

  • A construction method where one member fails, another member assumes the load of the failed one.
  • An example is a spar made in two sections.
  • If either section breaks, the other can still carry the load.

Damage Tolerance Evaluation Steps

  • Establish the components to be designed as damage tolerant.
  • Define the loading conditions and extent of damage.
  • Conduct sufficient representative tests.
  • Analyze to substantiate design objectives, such as life to crack initiation, crack propagation rate, and residual strength.
  • Establish data for inspection programs to ensure detection of damage.

Manufacturing Processes and Aircraft Parts

  • Formed section: Fuselage skin, wing spar
  • Metal sheets: Rotor hub, bracket
  • Extruded section: Longerons, skin stiffener
  • Forging: Stringers, wing rib
  • Casting: Wing root fairing, landing gear wheel hub
  • Stamping: Frame, window frame
  • Spinning: Nose radome, cooling fin

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