1

Lecture #18(14). Designing calculation of cross section of a highly

aspect ratio wing

Plan:
1. Tasks of designing
2. Distribution of shear force between wing spars
3. Computation of the elastic center
4. Distribution of bending moments between spars of a wing
5. Sequence of designing calculation
6. Selection of the spar position
7. Loading of a wing panel
1. Tasks of designing
The purposes of designing calculation are selection of materials, estimation of
geometrical characteristics of cross section.
We believe that projections of shear force and bending moment in connected
coordinate system are known from calculation of loading. At realization of this
calculation we use the simplified analytical designing model.
The simplified designing analytical model covered is, that we consider:
1) A spar is flat beam which belts (caps) work on a tension and compression;
2) Lift capability of a skin on normal stress is jointed to longitudinal elements - to
stringers and spar caps;
3) A skin and walls of spars work only on shear.
During calculation it is necessary:
1) Choose thickness of a skin and the stringer pitch in the tension and compressed
panels;
2) Calculate the area of stringers; pick up from the assortment a necessary profile;
3) Calculate the area of spar caps;
4) Calculate thickness of spar webs;
5) Calculate distances between in-line wing ribs.
2. Distribution of shear force between spars of a wing
From experience we know that wing deflection is comparatively bigger than angle
of torsion. So in the beginning we believe that shear force is enclosed in the elastic
center. In that case twisting of a contour does not occur also vertical deflections of spars
are equal between themselves.
Let's calculate a deflection of first spar Y1 by the Mohrs formula:
l M pM
Y1
dz ,
0 E1 I 1
where E1I1 bending rigidity of a spar, , - bending moments from external
loading and unit force accordingly.
According to of Vereshagins rule we have:
1

Y1

1
2 1
Q1 ll l
2
3 EI 1 .

EC

Q2

Fig. 1. Deflection of spars.

Whence
Y1

Q1 l 3
3E1 I 2

Y2

Q2 l 3
3 E2 I 2

Similarly for the second spar

As deflections are equal, we may record

Q1 l 3
Q2 l 3

3 E1 I 1 3 E2 I 2 .
From here follows

Q1
Q2

E1 I 1 E2 I 2 .
Let's record an equation of equilibrium on axis Y
Q1 Q2 Q ,
2

where Q1 and Q2 - the shear forces which are operational in the first and second
spar accordingly.
Hence
E1 I 1
Q1 Q
E1 I 1 E2 I 2 ;
For the second spar
Q2 Q

E2 I 2
k

Ei I i
i 1

If a structure has some spars, for j-th spar

Qj Q

E jI j
k

Ei Ii

i 1

That is shear force is distributed between spars of a wing proportionally to their

bending rigidity.

3. Computation of the elastic center in the first iteration

The elastic center is a point in cross section of a wing at application of the shear
force to which twisting of a contour does not occur.
In that case the torque is equal to zero.
M EC 0 .
In case of a two-spar wing this equation may be write down like
Q1 X EC Q 2 ( B S X EC ) .

Xec

Fig. 2. The elastic center.

Whence follows
X EC

Q2
BS .
Q

We substitute value Q2
3

Q2 Q

E2 I 2
E1 I 1 E2 I 2

We receive
X EC =

E 2 I 2 BS
.
E i I i

For a multispar wing we have generally

k

Ei I i X i

X EC i 1

Ei I i

i 1

Here Xi is distance from the first spar up to i-th a spar.

Thus, the elastic center in the simplified model coincides with the center of
gravity of bending stiffness of spars.

4. Distribution of bending moments between spars of a wing

Vertical displacement spars are equal from the adopted simplified model, and as
their the first and the second derivatives, then
y1=y2, y1 y 2 , y1 y 2 .
From a course of the mechanic of materials it is known
M1
M2
y 1
y 2
E2 I 2 ,
E1 I 1 ;
where M1 and M2 - the moments are perceived by 1 and 2 spars.
From here follows
M1
M2

E1 I 1 E2 I 2 .
Let's record an equation of moment balance concerning axis Z
M1 +M2 = M,
where M is the external bending moment from previous calculations.
We solve this system of equations and it is received
E2 I 2
M2 M
E1 I 1 E2 I 2 ,
M1 M

E1 I 1
2

Ei I i
i1

In case of a multispar wing for j-th spar bending moment is equal to:

Mj M

EjI j
k

Ei I i
i 1

,
That is bending moment, as well as shear force, is distributed in the simplified
model proportional bending stiffness of spars.

5. Sequence of designing calculation

1. Calculation of skin thickness and of stringers pitch.
The skin executes two functions:
) Together with stringers and ribs provide an invariance of an airfoil section;
b) Together with a longitudinal primary structure participates in perception of
external loading.
From aerodynamic calculations and experiments it is known, that resistance of a
airfoil is increased not essentially if its relative sinuosity does not exceed y 0.002,
where
Y
y max
t .

Fig. 3. The sinuosity of skin.

Examining a strip of a skin between stringers of unit width as the restrained beam
loaded in regular intervals with constant spread load , we have
Ymax

t 4
384D ,

where

E 2

12( 1 2 ) - is cylindrical rigidity, - is the Poissons ratio.

From here we find out a relative deflection of a skin
3

Ymax
pt 3
p( 1 2 ) t
2

(1 )

t
32 E .
32 E 3
This deflection should be less given

p( 1 2 ) t
y
32 E
.
From here we find out ratio tot
3 p(1 2 )

.
t
32 EI
It is necessary to emphasize that we have the inequality. That is for its
satisfaction it is possible to take the big thickness of a skin at the chosen stringer pitch
or a smaller the stringer pitch at the chosen skin that the sinuosity of a skin was given or
less given. Decreasing of a sinuosity reduces an aerodynamic drag of a wing.
Owing to non-uniformity of distribution of air pressure on the top and bottom skin
of a wing it is received
Pt

Pb
Fig. 4. The distribution of air pressure.
2 G
1 G
;
pt
pb
3 Sw
3 Sw
Calculations carry out conduct for the basic level flight condition. Thus, we

)t

)b (for the top and bottom skin).

t
t
We select stringer pitch, we find out thickness of a skin, and we choose the
nearest greater thickness from standard set of skin thickness. From design restrain it is
necessary, that min 0.8 mm.
On statistics stringer pitch is t sm.
calculate ratio

6. Selection of the spar position

By selection we must take into account some factors:
1) Necessity of accommodation of fuel in wing tanks;
2) Necessity of fastening of high-lift devices (slats, flaps);
3) Aim is at greatest possible using of a building height.
According to statistic we have that:

Fig. 5. The spar position.

7. Loading of a wing panel

At designing calculation the difficult contour of a wing is replaced by the
rectangular cross section. This section can be to include one or two stringer pitches in a
wing leading edge if mechanization there is not located.

Fig. 6. The wing cross section.

The mean height of wing cross section is equal to:
H H2
1 ,
Hm 1
2
where H1 and H2 are an heights of front and rear spars on a theoretical contour;
- the factor which is taking into account that the center of gravity of a spar does not
lay on a theoretical contour, it is possible to accept 1 = 0.95, Hm - a mean height.
Then load perceived by panels is equal to:
M
;

Hm
Here M is bending moment in the wing cross section.