basic spar construction

Dave Schneider on Dec 8, 2:05 pm wrote:


Is there any way to calculate wing loads on something like the
following
(this is where I'm going).

Of course.

The first step is to model or at least establish an upper bound to the
forces acting on it. That may be more complicated for an iceboat
than for an airplane.


Do you think the skypup construction could
handle these loads:

http://groups.msn.com/LandsailerandI...ndconstruction


Possibly. The iceboat wing may see more substantial torsional
loads than the SkyPup Wing. In general box beams are, in regard
to strength to weight ratio, very efficient for handling torsional
loads.

The SkyPup spars are more like an I-beam than a box beam.

The SkyPup, being an ultralight was designed to minimize torsional
loading on the wings to permit the use of a single spar and keep
them light as well as keeping the construction simple.

Some aircraft use two spars per wing with x-bracing between them
to handle torsional loads. Some use box beam spars. Monocoque
construction which relies on distributing the stress on the skin rather

than carrying it all on internal structure essentially turns an entire
wing into a box beam.

--

FF