AE331A Assignments

NAME: ADITYA RAGHUWANSHI

ROLL: 170052

Q.1 Explain through a TECHNICAL essay, why the delta wing structure is the way it
is, i.e. number, position and dimensions of spars and ribs.

Delta Wing was introduced in World World II due to its sharp maneuvering ability.
Delta wings is used for subsonic or super aircraft plane. Delta Wings have low
aspect ratio and are thin in order to decrease wave drag. Delta wing produces larger
viscous drag which helps the aircraft in making sharp turns and, therefore,
maneuvering.

For any aircraft to fly, wings must generate enough lift to balance its own weight,
fuel, passengers and cargo. These factors generate bending and torsional stress on
wings. Therefore, wings needs to structured to handle such extreme stress. Wing
basically comprises of spars and ribs.

Spars are main members of the wings and extends spanwise perpendicular to the
fuselage. While on the ground, spar supports downward bending force due weight of
the wing, fuel tank, etc. During flight, spars support upward bending force due to lift,
which is less in comparison to the former downward bending forces, as it is offset by
weight due to wings and fuel tanks. Spar resist bending and axial loads. Generally,
spars are located at the aerodynamic center of the wings, and therefore, are unable
to resist torsional stress.

Ribs are attached to the main spar and are repeated at frequent intervals. Ribs
incorporates the aerodynamic profile of the wings by resisting the torsional strain.
Increasing the number of ribs increases the strength but also increases the overall
weight of the aircraft. So, the number of ribs should be chosen in such a way that
weight remains minimum and enough strength can be provided.
Q.2 Why would evolution lead to such a design of bat wings, or bird wings?

Bats are ​mammals​ of the ​order​ Chiroptera with their forelimbs adapted as ​wings​,
they are the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. Bats have
incredible adaptability and efficiency thanks to the membrane-based wings that are
far more dynamic than other wings such as those found on insects or birds. Bat
wings are elastic structures composed of many different parts, and they interact with
air in highly variable and aerodynamically complex ways. Bats are even more
maneuverable than birds.

Birds also have flexible wings but flexibility is different from bats as birds have
feather wings and bats have wings of membrane. Scientists generally agree that bird
wings must have been exaptations. They were used by the ancestor for one function,
and became useful for flight among the descendants. Wings evolved from arms used
to capture small prey. Wings evolved because bipedal animals were leaping into the
air and large wings assisted leaping. Wings were used as sexual display structures,
bigger wings were preferred by potential mates. Wings evolved from gliding
ancestors who began to flap their gliding structures in order to produce thrust.

These structural dissimilarities suggest that bird wings and bat wings were not
inherited from a common ancestor with wings. They have separate evolutionary
origins, but are superficially similar because they have both experienced natural
selection that shaped them to play a key role in flight.

Bats have such flight adaptations as echolocation , sharp senses, modified pectoral
girdle (ring of bones which gives rigidity to the thorax and provides support for the
wings), reduced radius, large humerus and ulna, clawed fingers, high metabolic rate,
and a ​uropatagium​ (a membrane stretched between the hindlimbs that helps to
stabilize the flight, and often to capture prey with). This is thought to have originally
been a gliding adaptation, as most gliders incorporate their hindlimbs into their
gliding airfoil. A new bone, the ​calcar,​ supports the membrane from the heel.

The most diverse group of flyers ever to evolve are the birds. The earliest known bird
is ​Archaeopteryx​. Its form shows us that it was a true flyer, although not as skilled as
most modern birds, since its sternum (breastbone, where powerful flight muscles are
attached to the body) was flat, or at best only slightly keeled, and later modifications
of the wrist bones were not present.
Q.3 The blended wing UAV design seems to be a bit different. Can you think out
why?

Blended wing aircraft have fuselage shaped like an airfoil and it is merged with
wings. The BWB is a hybrid shape that resembles a flying wing, but also
incorporates features from conventional transport aircraft. Research are going on to
use Blended Wing Body as both military and passenger aircraft.

Since fuselage also act as airfoil, lift generating surface increases which provides
more lift. This inturn allows decrease in size of wing and decrease in size of surface
area. The streamline shape between fuselage and the wings reduces interference
drag, reduces wetted surface area (by almost 12%) that reduces friction drag.
Smooth elevation of fuselage to wing thickness can suggest a design where volume
is more than a conventional aircraft providing more space for passengers and
payloads increases fuel capacity.

Blended Wing Body provides high lift to drag ratio and provides higher angle of
attack. Wing has decrease length which make the aircraft lighter. These aircrafts are
also fuel efficient - 10.9% better than a conventional aircraft. At supersonic speeds,
the delta wing keeps the shock cone behind its leading edge, giving it more stable
flight characteristics. Vortexes generated along the leading edge of the wing
re-energize the flow boundary layer, delaying separation and stall. This gives the
wing more stable flight characteristics at low speed. Thus, blended wing aircraft can
operate at both lower and higher speeds.

There are some disadvantages related to Blended Wing designs. Passengers will be
sitting farther away from the center of the fuselage which might make uncomfortable
during maneuvering. I​n order to fully realise the potential advantages of the Blended
Wing Body design in a large aircraft, the engines are typically placed above the rear
fuselage. Air safety authorities have expressed a concern that in an accident they
could become detached and their momentum carry them forwards so that they fall
onto the passenger cabin.

Therefore, Blended Wing design is a revolutionary step in the field of Aerospace

Engineering. It provides high lift, low drag, consumes less fuel, high payload capacity
and can operate at larger range of speeds. Though some modifications are required
to bring it in action.