Another Airplane Physics Question

[crokett]

When I say flying wing I mean the Northrup bomber. The Vulcan and the first link in Mr Bill's post both have a fuselage. The second actually has 2 fuselages.

[Wood_workur]

I bet it would break at the point that it's attached to the straps.

This.


I think what you meant to ask is where they would break if they were evenly loaded? The tips are not designed to handle the same loads as the root of the wings because they don't produce the same lift, and don't have to support anywhere near as much.

[chopnhack]

I think i saw what your talking about, it was part of a demonstration of the safety of I believe the 747's and it was a long time ago

Years ago PBS did a several part show on a Boeing being designed and tested....maybe the 767?

If you can find it, there was a test where they pull upwards on the wing tips until the wings break...It was VERY far- IIRC it was starting to look like a U shape before the violent snap.

Doesn't answer the question, but it was pretty cool.

[crokett]

I think what you meant to ask is where they would break if they were evenly loaded? The tips are not designed to handle the same loads as the root of the wings because they don't produce the same lift, and don't have to support anywhere near as much.

Huh. You learn something new every day. I thought they would produce the same lift, but I guess they wouldn't if the surface area is so much smaller.

[Wood_workur]

Huh. You learn something new every day. I thought they would produce the same lift, but I guess they wouldn't if the surface area is so much smaller.

Yep. Also remember that the spars are carrying the lift produced by the outer regions where they meet the body. So not only does the inner portion of the wing produce more lift, but it also has to support the lift produced by all of the wing to the outside of it.

[parnelli]

This looks like it might be your test: wow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe9PVaFGl3o

Looks like it broke about 1/3 the distance from the body of the plane.

Yep! That's the one- guess it was a 777. Thanks for finding that

[sscherin]

The test of the 787 composite wings are also online..
Not as entertaining as the 777 test though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsjTn1z3PSQ