ANALYSIS OF PLANE WING MADE OF ALUMINIUM PARTICULATE METAL

MATRIX COMPOSITE USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

1
Aldrin Sugin M.S., 2Vaddi Seshagiri Rao and 3Purushothaman S.,
1
Research Scholar, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sathyabama University, Chennai, India-600119, aldrin_sugin@rediffmail.com
2
Professor and Head, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph's College of Engineering, Chennai
600119, India-600119, raosvaddi@hotmail.com
3
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, PET Engineering College
Vallioor, India- 627117, dr.s.purushothaman@gmail.com

Abstract-This paper presents the finite element analysis (FEM) of plane wing made of aluminum
particulate metal matrix composite. The temperature distribution, inner wall temperature and velocity vector
magnitude on the wing are studied. The wing is enclosed in air medium and analyzed with steady state,
pressure based conditions. The outputs of the analysis can be further used for prototype modeling of the
wing.
Keywords: Aluminium flyash, metal matrix composite, aerofoil, finite element analysis.

Introduction
Aircraft wing is made of laminated composites [Carlos, 1996] to reduce the weight of the aircraft. Different
composite materials are in use for the construction of aircraft. The entire aircraft weight is supported by
wings of the plane. Hence, the wings have to be designed properly with lightweight materials. Composites
are an important alternative solution to reduce the weight of the aircraft. Instead of using laminated
composites, dispersed flyash in aluminium can be used as composite material.
Aircraft wing T-joints made up of composite materials are special importance due to complex geometry and
criticality to overall structural integrity [Bhanu, 2013]. Al-flyash [Rohatgi, 2002; Matsunaga, 2002;
Sobczak, 2002] composite has low density. This composite has potential applications in covers, shrouds,
casings, manifolds, valve covers, garden furniture, and engine blocks in the automotive, small engine and
electro mechanical industry sectors. Flyash can be classified into two categories: 1) Precipitator and 2)
Cenosphere. Precipitator flyash is a solid and has a density of about 2-2.5gm/cm3. Cenosphere flyash is
hollow and has a lower density of about 0 6gm/cm3. Flyash has been used as the reinforcing particulates in
aluminium matrix. Flyash [Bienias, 2003; Kolukisa, 2003] has received attention as reinforcing phase as it is found to
increase the hardness, tensile strength and wear resistance of aluminium metal matrix composites.
Jiyu Sun, 2012, analyzed the effects of structure, mechanical properties, and morphology of dragonfly wings
on their flyability, followed by the implications in fabrication and modeling. Luna, 2009, discussed about an
interval-based automated optimization of aircraft wing structures subjected to landing loads. Taeseong,
2013, optimized structural design by suggesting a two-level approach for a composite wing to improve the
aeroelastic stability of a tilt rotor aircraft. Liviu, 2009, dealt with aeroelastic design optimization of a
slender, thin-walled wing-type structure against divergence. Wang, 2008, studied the influences of
uncertainties in the structural parameters on the flutter speed of wing. HyunbumPark discussed about the
structural design and forced vibration about the composite main wing structure exited by a pusher type two-
stroke reciprocating engine for the WIG (Wing-in-Ground Effect) craft. Kuntjoro, 2012, described the use
of super element for the stress and deflection analysis of a typical wing structure.
Problem definition

Heavy stress is induced in the wings of pane during its flight. The different stresses developed in the
wings are due to self weight of the plane body, shear between the surface of the wings and air fluid, raised
temperature or lowered temperature around the wings as the height of the flight changes, and change in the
pressure of fluid as the speed of flight changes. Material should be developed that is light in weight and
heavier in strength, i.e, high strength to weight ratio. More and more high strength to weight ratio material
are developed especially for the flight body that too for the construction of wings.

Methodology

Fig.1 Plane wing

Fig. 2 Plane wing in black color

The plane wing model (Figure 1) has been generated by using PROE. Similar models are avaialable in the
internet. The wing has definite structure with holes introduced for fixing additional components. A plane
wing is subjected to compression, tension, shear, and increase in temperature during its flight. Approximate
values of all these parameters can be obtained using simulation software. One such simulation software is
finite element analysis [Polagangu, 2009] by ANSYS 14.
Basic simulation parameters
The dimension of the aircraft wing: chord length at the free end is 0.8m and at the fixed end is 1.8m, length
of the wing is 15m. The material used for simulation is: Fluid (air) and solid (aluminium flyash). The figure
2 shows a plane wing enclosed in a cubic model. The cubic model contains fluid (air). The simulation
conditions are: Time =Steady, Pressure based, Velocity formation =absolute. The behavior of the wing
(black patch) inside the cubic model is simulated and the results are discussed. The wing is visible when the
air fluid is removed from the model.

Results and discussion

Figure 4 shows average total pressure experience by the wing is 50000 Pa. This can be visualized from the
pressure contour (Figure 3). The wing wall temperature for each node is shown in Figure 6. The distribution
of temperature is shown in Figure 5. The figure 7 shows velocity vector magnitude. Figure 8 shows the
velocity at each node.
 Fig. 4 Total pressure versus node numbers
Fig. 3. Pressure Contour (-54073 Pa to 54073 Pa)

Fig. 5 Inner wall temperature (Minimum 267 K and

maximum 337 K)
Fig.6 Wing wall temperature

Fig. 7 Velocity vector magnitude Fig.8 Velocity magnitude versus node numbers
Conclusions
This paper has presented the implementation of FEM analysis on a plane wing made of Aluminium
fly ash material. The wing is enclosed in air fluid. The inner wall temperature, velocity vector magnitude
and total pressure distribution on the surface of the wing were obtained. These values have to be controlled
by varying parameters during analysis to suit the requirements of particular wing design.
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