Title

Design, Fabrication, Structural Testing, and Numerical Analysis of a Small Scale Composite Wing

Author(s) Information

Jacob David Gaunt, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Juan Carlos Flores, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Vincent Andrew Perry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Aerospace Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Aerospace Engineering

Date

6-2010

Primary Advisor

Eltahry Elghandour, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

A small scale composite wing based on a design found on an experimental aircraft was designed, constructed, and tested dynamically and statically. The wing was constructed similarly to an experimental aircraft wing. The performed static test was intended to produce pure bending. Strain gages were used to measure strains on the wing structure. The strains were converted to stresses to aid in analysis. The static test results suggested that the wing was actually under torsion. Four structural modes were found from the static test. A finite element analysis model was made to compare experimental results to numerical analytical results. The comparison showed a good correlation with spar stresses, but differences in the experimental and modeled load resulted in no comparison with rib and skin stresses.

URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/aerosp/18