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STRUTS OR TENSION CABLES?

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hrishikesh

Member
Joined
Aug 13, 2010
Messages
11
Location
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Friends,

Hi! It has been a long time since I logged in. I am almost nearing the end of the basic structural design of my ultralight aircraft. It is powered by a 21 horsepower Simonini engine with a 44'' propeller. our wing is 12 feet long(per side) and weighs about 25 kilograms together. The main restriction on our design is weight as we have to fly on low power.

To support our wings and also to connect them to the fuselage, we need either compression struts or tension cables. My question is, which of the two is favorable for our design, considering weight as an important criteria? also, we need to restrict lateral motion of the wing in its own plane. If compression struts are to be used, will there be a chance of buckling? what is the general permissible deflection for a compression strut (by rule of thumb)? if tension cables are to be used, how are the connections to be made?

Also, I thought of this idea to use both compression struts below, as well as tension cables above the wing. This way, in stationary condition, the tension cables will take all the wings weight, and in flight, due to lift, the cables will go slack and the struts will take the tension. Is this design feasible?

Kindly reply as soon as possible friends. I hope to receive your help, so that I can complete this project in time.

Cheers!:)


Hrishikesh.
 
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