Aerospace Structures

This book is freely available at https://doi.org/10.21061/AerospaceStructures.In this text book analytical methods are developed for the response and failure of the primary structural components of aircraft. Newton’s laws of motion, Hooke’s law, and the first law of thermodynamics are the basis to model the thermoelastic response of thin walled, straight bars and co-planar curved bars. Analytical methods include energy principles to develop Castigliano’s theorems and to develop the cross-sectional material law for transverse shear and torsion. Stiffened shells typical of aircraft structures are analyzed with the thin walled bar theory. Externally prescribed loads are due to accelerated flight and the thermal environment. Velocity-load factor (V-n) diagrams for maneuvers and gusts are described to evaluate flight loads. Read more