Aeroelastic Tailoring using Rib/Spar Orientations: Experimental Investigation

Wing aeroelastic performance, such as static aeroelastic shape, flutter/divergence speed and gust load response, has a critical impact on aircraft design and consequently the tailoring of aeroelastic response offers much potential for weight savings. In this paper, the configuration between the spars and ribs of an un-tapered, un-swept wing box is varied to modify the aeroelastic performance. Different spar/rib orientations are investigated through numerical simulation and an experimental test program using 3D printed wings. A series of static and dynamic wind-off and wind tunnel tests show that it is possible to have a significant influence on the structural behaviour.

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