[This has been moved from the https://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/...odern-incarnation-farman-f-455-moustique.html thread to focus just on this construction technique. The original source document is available here.]
With some recent discussion about rubber press forming (pseudo-hydroforming) of small sheet metal parts, I am taking another look at the Vickers-Wibault metal construction method using stock metal extrusions, especially the zig-zag "wandering web" combined with ordinary aluminum angles as in illustrations 1, 4 and 6 in the attached image.
A few questions for those with more engineering knowledge than I have...
Cheers,
Matthew
With some recent discussion about rubber press forming (pseudo-hydroforming) of small sheet metal parts, I am taking another look at the Vickers-Wibault metal construction method using stock metal extrusions, especially the zig-zag "wandering web" combined with ordinary aluminum angles as in illustrations 1, 4 and 6 in the attached image.
A few questions for those with more engineering knowledge than I have...
- I think this would be much easier to build than a closed box spar because of easier access to both sides for riveting, perhaps even using light, cheap ordinary rivets and a rivet squeezer. Any other particular advantages/disavantages to this approach come to mind?
- What would be the impact in terms of strength/stiffness in bending and torsion of flipping the angles around to form the corners of a box beam rather than a hollow I-beam?
- What would be the pros and cons of forming the "wandering web" from multiple, easier (press formed or perhaps just on a small hand bending brake) to make Z- or A-shaped pieces rather than a continuous zig-zag?
Cheers,
Matthew
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