Aircraft Structural Analysis: An Introduction

An Introduction to Aircraft
Structural Analysis
T. H. G. Megson
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Megson, T.H.G. (Thomas Henry Gordon)
An introduction to aircraft structural analysis / T.H.G. Megson.
p. cm.
Rev. ed. of: Aircraft structures for engineering students / T.H.G. Megson. 4th ed. 2007.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-85617-932-4 (alk. paper)
1. Airframes. 2. Structural analysis (Engineering) I. Title.
TL671.6.M36 2010
629.134’31–dc22
2009050354
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1011121314 10987654321

Contents
Preface ............................................................................................. vii
PART A FUNDAMENTALS OF STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
CHAPTER 1 Basic Elasticity ........................................................................... 3
1.1 Stress .................................................................................................. 3
1.2 Notation for Forces and Stresses ................................................................... 5
1.3 Equations of Equilibrium ........................................................................... 7
1.4 Plane Stress ........................................................................................... 9
1.5 Boundary Conditions ................................................................................ 9
1.6 Determination of Stresses on Inclined Planes .................................................... 10
1.7 Principal Stresses .................................................................................... 14
1.8 Mohr’s Circle of Stress .............................................................................. 16
1.9 Strain .................................................................................................. 20
1.10 Compatibility Equations ............................................................................ 24
1.11 Plane Strain ........................................................................................... 25
1.12 Determination of Strains on Inclined Planes...................................................... 25
1.13 Principal Strains...................................................................................... 27
1.14 Mohr’s Circle of Strain .............................................................................. 28
1.15 Stress–Strain Relationships ......................................................................... 28
1.16 Experimental Measurement of Surface Strains ................................................... 37
Problems .............................................................................................. 41
CHAPTER 2 Two-Dimensional Problems in Elasticity .............................................. 45
2.1 Two-Dimensional Problems ........................................................................ 45
2.2 Stress Functions ...................................................................................... 47
2.3 Inverse and Semi-Inverse Methods ................................................................ 48
2.4 St. Venant’s Principle................................................................................ 53
2.5 Displacements ........................................................................................ 54
2.6 Bending of an End-Loaded Cantilever ............................................................ 55
Problems .............................................................................................. 60
CHAPTER 3 Torsion of Solid Sections ............................................................... 65
3.1 Prandtl Stress Function Solution ................................................................... 65
3.2 St. Venant Warping Function Solution ............................................................ 75
3.3 The Membrane Analogy ............................................................................ 77
3.4 Torsion of a Narrow Rectangular Strip ............................................................ 79
Problems .............................................................................................. 82
CHAPTER 4 Virtual Work and Energy Methods ..................................................... 85
4.1 Work................................................................................................... 85
4.2 Principle of Virtual Work ........................................................................... 86
4.3 Applications of the Principle of Virtual Work .................................................... 99
Problems .............................................................................................. 107
CHAPTER 5 Energy Methods .......................................................................... 111
5.1 Strain Energy and Complementary Energy ....................................................... 111
5.2 The Principle of the Stationary Value of the Total Complementary Energy .................. 113
iii

iv Contents
5.3 Application to Deflection Problems ............................................................... 114
5.4 Application to the Solution of Statically Indeterminate Systems............................... 122
5.5 Unit Load Method ................................................................................... 138
5.6 Flexibility Method ................................................................................... 141
5.7 Total Potential Energy............................................................................... 147
5.8 The Principle of the Stationary Value of the Total Potential Energy........................... 148
5.9 Principle of Superposition .......................................................................... 151
5.10 The Reciprocal Theorem............................................................................ 151
5.11 Temperature Effects ................................................................................. 156
Problems .............................................................................................. 158
CHAPTER 6 Matrix Methods........................................................................... 169
6.1 Notation ............................................................................................... 170
6.2 Stiffness Matrix for an Elastic Spring ............................................................. 171
6.3 Stiffness Matrix for Two Elastic Springs in Line................................................. 172
6.4 Matrix Analysis of Pin-jointed Frameworks ...................................................... 176
6.5 Application to Statically Indeterminate Frameworks ............................................ 183
6.6 Matrix Analysis of Space Frames .................................................................. 183
6.7 Stiffness Matrix for a Uniform Beam.............................................................. 185
6.8 Finite Element Method for Continuum Structures ............................................... 193
Problems .............................................................................................. 211
CHAPTER 7 Bending of Thin Plates .................................................................. 219
7.1 Pure Bending of Thin Plates ........................................................................ 219
7.2 Plates Subjected to Bending and Twisting ........................................................ 223
7.3 Plates Subjected to a Distributed Transverse Load............................................... 227
7.4 Combined Bending and In-Plane Loading of a Thin Rectangular Plate ....................... 236
7.5 Bending of Thin Plates Having a Small Initial Curvature ....................................... 240
7.6 Energy Method for the Bending of Thin Plates .................................................. 241
Problems .............................................................................................. 250
CHAPTER 8 Columns ................................................................................... 253
8.1 Euler Buckling of Columns......................................................................... 253
8.2 Inelastic Buckling.................................................................................... 259
8.3 Effect of Initial Imperfections ...................................................................... 263
8.4 Stability of Beams under Transverse and Axial Loads .......................................... 266
8.5 Energy Method for the Calculation of Buckling Loads in Columns........................... 270
8.6 Flexural–Torsional Buckling of Thin-Walled Columns ......................................... 274
Problems .............................................................................................. 287
CHAPTER 9 Thin Plates ................................................................................ 293
9.1 Buckling of Thin Plates ............................................................................. 293
9.2 Inelastic Buckling of Plates......................................................................... 296
9.3 Experimental Determination of Critical Load for a Flat Plate.................................. 298
9.4 Local Instability ...................................................................................... 299
9.5 Instability of Stiffened Panels ...................................................................... 300
9.6 Failure Stress in Plates and Stiffened Panels...................................................... 302
9.7 Tension Field Beams ................................................................................ 304
Problems .............................................................................................. 320