wrote:
It is called "complimentary structure". Most GA aircraft have a
structure consisting of a skin (alum or plywood) that carries most of
the load. However, the stringers and longerons have an important
function, that is, they provide out of plane stiffness to the skin,
thereby preventing it from buckling under load. Each element of the
structure has an axis about which it is weak, and it needs the other
elements to provide strength in that direction. They need each other
very much.

Bud

Semi-Monocoque is the term, not "complimentary." Your
average CessBeeMooPip is semi-monocoque in the aft fuselage. Most of
the rest has heavy structural members and the skin is used just to keep
things square.

Dan