Developments in aeronautical engineering can be broken down into separate divisions that have developed at different rates:
(a) Aerodynamics, (b) Power plant Engineering (c) control, radios and navigation aids, (d) airframe engineering, (e) the structure design
A 1917 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
SOP-WITCH CAMEL
SUPERSONIC AIRCRAFT TODAY
SR-71 BLACKBIRD
WHO ACHIEVED FIRST SUCCESSFUL FLIGHT
WRIGHT BROTHERS
A 1935 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
HAWKER HERRICANE
INSPIRATION FOR SEMI-MONOCOQUE STRUCTURE IN AIRCRAFT
BOAT BUILDING
HAVE DEVELOPED IN TWO LARGE STEPS SEPARATED BY SERIES OF SUDDEN BURST OF INGENUITY
POWER PLANT
STRIDE WAS THE JET ENGINE WWII BY
SIR FRANK WHITTLE HANS VON OHAIN
entire aircraft were all constructed from rectangular frames that were prevented from shearing or collapsing by diagonally stretched wire.
- The biplane construction with wire bracing was the most notable feature of aircraft construction for some years and paired nicely with lightweight materials such as bamboo and spruce.
WIRE BRACED STRUCTURE
- also known as stressed skin; major advantage of this type of construction is the outer skin of the fuselage becomes an active load-carrying member of the structure.
- is generally at a uniform and lower stress level, reducing stress concentrations and giving better fatigue life.
SEMI-MONOCOQUE STRUCTURE
Another technique to provide more rigidity; generally features a very lightweight core, such as honeycomb lattice or a foam, sandwiched between two thin yet stiff outer panels.
SANDWICH STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Apart from carbon fiber and other composites other researchers have been looking into completely redefining the shape of aircraft. Researchers at MIT have been developing the blended wing concept and NASA are exploring the technology of morphing or shape-changing aircraft, taking inspiration directly from nature.
NOVEL DESIGN
WIRE BRACING WAS THE MODT NOTABLE FEATURE OF AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION FOR SOME YEARS AND PAIRED NICELY WITH LIGHTWEIGHT MATERIALS SUCH AS
BAMBOO AND SPRUCE
INSPIRATION WAS TAKEN FROM THE LONG TRADITION AND EXPERTISE IN BOAT BOAT BUILDING
SEMI-MONOCOQUE STRUCTURES
airflow around the aircraft
aerodynamics
