DESIGN OF

A LOWER
WING SKIN
PANEL

ASSIGNMENT 7
SELECTING A DESIGN OPTION
 SELECTING A DESIGN FROM THE GIVEN OPTIONS

I recommend Option 4 for the design of lower wing skin panel

where the carbon/PEEK z-stringers are rivetted/mechanically
fastened to the skin made of same material to form a stiffened panel
structure as shown below,
REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS DESIGN

• Material to be Either Carbon/PEEK composite or weldable 6000

series aluminum alloy
• Good Fatigue performance
• High Static strength
• High production rate
• Optimum Manufacturing cost
REASON FOR MATERIAL SELECTION –
CARBON/PEEK MATERAIL

• These Thermoplastic composite material are cheaper compared to thermosets.

• They can be formed easily with thermo-press forming and hence suitable for components
with high production rate.
• It has high strength/stiffness to weight ratio and hence capable of withstanding the higher
forces acting on the wing at several load cases. This is not exhibited by a medium strength
6000 series aluminum alloy.
• The strength can be tailored by orienting the fibers as per the loading requirements.
• It also has good strength/stiffness to cost ratio when we consider the overall lifecycle of the
aircraft.
• They are very good in withstanding tension-tension fatigue as a lower skin panel.
• These material has a good storage life compared to thermosets and hence better utilization.
REASON FOR SELECTION OF Z-STRINGER

• Z-stringers are open sections and hence can be formed easily by thermo-press
forming process.
• They are good in withstanding the bending loads imposed on the lower skin
panel.
• They are easy to inspect and install on the skin panel.
• They support the skin by breaking them into panels along with ribs and thereby
helps in functioning as a torsion box to withstand the shear loads.
• They are easy to continue though the rib with smaller sized cut-outs in the wing
structures compared to other cross sections.
REASON FOR SELECTION OF JOINING METHOD–
MECHANICAL FASTENING

• As lower wing skin is considered for design, it is necessary for it to be damage

tolerant to withstand the fatigue loads. This property is better exhibited by
mechanically fastened joint where the development of crack doesn’t get
transferred to the neighboring structure.
• Rivets will be used to join the two components as they are cheaper compared to
bolts and can be installed at a faster rate than bolts.
• Also this arrangement doesn’t not call for a advanced machinery, special fixtures
or controlled process to carryout joining of parts which is the case with welding
and adhesive bonding.