School of Mechanical Engineering
Department of Aerospace Engineering
Name of the Course: AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES LAB
VIVA-VOCE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
1. What is the primary function of aircraft structures?
Answer: The primary function of aircraft structures is to support all aerodynamic loads,
resist forces due to landing, and ensure the structural integrity of the aircraft during
operation. It must also be lightweight and capable of withstanding stresses without
failure.
2. Define stress and strain.
Answer:
Stress: Force per unit area within materials that arises from externally applied forces.
(σ = F/A)
Strain: The deformation per unit length due to stress. (ε = ΔL/L)
3. What is Young’s Modulus?
Answer: Young’s Modulus (E) is the ratio of normal stress to normal strain in the elastic
region. It is a measure of a material's stiffness.
E = Stress / Strain
4. What is the difference between tensile and compressive loading?
Answer:
Tensile Loading: Forces that pull the material apart.
Compressive Loading: Forces that push or compress the material together.
5. What is the neutral axis in bending?
Answer: The neutral axis is the line within a beam or structural element where the
bending stress is zero when subjected to bending.
6. What is the purpose of conducting a bending test in the lab?
Answer: To study the behavior of materials under bending loads and determine flexural
strength, modulus of elasticity in bending, and deflection characteristics.
7. What is the significance of a shear test?
Answer: A shear test determines the material’s ability to resist shear forces and
evaluates its shear strength and behaviour under torsional loads.
8. What is the difference between symmetric and unsymmetric bending?
Answer:
Symmetric Bending: Occurs when the plane of loading is aligned with the
principal axis of the section.
Unsymmetric Bending: Occurs when the loading is not aligned with the
principal axis, resulting in bending about multiple axes.
9. Define buckling. When does it occur?
Answer: Buckling is the sudden sideways failure of a structural member subjected to
compressive stress. It occurs when the compressive load exceeds the critical load.
10. What is the slenderness ratio and its importance?
Answer: It is the ratio of the effective length of a column to its radius of gyration.
Slenderness Ratio = L/r
It helps predict the buckling behavior of columns.
11. Why are I-sections commonly used in aircraft structures?
Answer: I-sections provide high bending strength with less material usage, thus
reducing weight while maintaining structural efficiency.
12. What is a riveted joint, and where is it used?
Answer: A riveted joint is a permanent mechanical fastener used to join sheets or
structural components, especially in fuselage and wing assemblies.
13. What is the difference between a riveted and welded joint?
Answer:
Riveted Joint: Mechanical joining method, suitable for lightweight structures,
easily inspected and replaced.
Welded Joint: Fusion of parts using heat, providing more rigidity but less
flexibility for inspection and maintenance in aircraft structures.
14. Why is aluminum commonly used in aircraft structures?
Answer: Due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and ease of
fabrication.
15. What is a strain gauge, and how is it used?
Answer: A strain gauge is a sensor used to measure strain on an object. It works on the
principle that resistance of the conductor changes when it is stretched or compressed.
16. What is a two-point loading in a beam test?
Answer: A test setup where two equal loads are applied symmetrically about the center
of the beam. This helps analyze pure bending in the middle portion.
17. What is the moment of inertia, and why is it important in aircraft
structures?
Answer: Moment of inertia (I) is a geometrical property that indicates how a cross-
section resists bending. Higher I means greater resistance to bending.
18. What is a torsion test and why is it conducted?
Answer: A torsion test measures the behaviour of materials under twisting (shear)
loads. It helps determine shear modulus and torsional rigidity.
19. Verification of Maxwell’s Reciprocal Theorem
Q: What does Maxwell’s Reciprocal Theorem state?
A: It states that the deflection at point A due to a unit load at point B is equal to the deflection at
point B due to a unit load at point A.
20. Buckling Load of Slender Eccentric Columns and Southwell Plot
Q: What is the Southwell Plot used for?
A: It is used to determine the critical buckling load of a column by plotting deflection/load vs.
deflection.
21. Shear Failure of Bolted and Riveted Joints
Q: What causes shear failure in joints?
A: Excessive shear stress beyond the shear strength of the material causes failure in the bolts or
rivets.
22. Vibration of Beams
What type of vibration do beams undergo?
Beams can undergo transverse, torsional, and longitudinal vibrations. The mode shapes
and frequencies depend on boundary conditions.
23. Determination of Shear Centre Location for Open Sections – Unsymmetrical
Bending
What is the shear centre and why is it important?
The shear centre is the point in the cross-section through which the load must pass to
produce bending without twisting.
24. Beam with Combined Loading Using Superposition Theorem
What is the superposition theorem in structural analysis?
The total deflection or stress in a linear elastic system under multiple loads is the sum
of the deflections or stresses due to each load acting alone.
List of the structural parts of an aircraft, categorized by their location
and function
1. Primary Aircraft Structural Components
1. Fuselage
Main body of the aircraft that houses the cockpit, passengers, cargo, and
systems.
Types: Truss structure, Monocoque, Semi-monocoque.
2. Wings
Provide lift to support the aircraft in flight.
Subcomponents:
Spars (main load-bearing members)
Ribs (maintain airfoil shape)
Stringers (provide longitudinal stiffness)
Skin (outer covering for aerodynamic surface)
Wing box (integral fuel tank and load-carrying box section)
3. Empennage (Tail Assembly)
Provides stability and control in pitch and yaw.
Includes:
Horizontal stabilizer
Elevator (pitch control)
Vertical stabilizer (fin)
Rudder (yaw control)
4. Landing Gear
Supports the aircraft on the ground and during take-off/landing.
Types: Tricycle, Tailwheel, Skid.
Components: Shock absorbers (oleo struts), wheels, brakes, retracting
mechanisms.
5. Nacelles and Engine Mounts
Nacelles house the engines; mounts secure them to the wing or fuselage.
2. Internal Structural Elements
6. Frames or Bulkheads
Circular or oval cross-sections that maintain the shape and strength of the
fuselage.
7. Longerons and Stringers
Longitudinal stiffeners running along the fuselage or wings to resist
bending and compression.
8. Spars
Primary structural members in wings (main spar and rear spar) that
carry bending loads.
9. Ribs
Provide the airfoil shape and transmit aerodynamic loads from skin to
spars.
10. Skin or Sheeting
External covering of the aircraft structure, typically made of aluminum or
composites. Carries shear and aerodynamic loads.
3. Secondary Structures
11. Control Surfaces
Ailerons: Roll control
Elevators: Pitch control
Rudder: Yaw control
Flaps: Increase lift during take-off/landing
Slats/Spoilers: Used for lift and drag control
12. Fairings
Streamlined covers over joints or intersections (e.g., wing-fuselage
junction) to reduce aerodynamic drag.
13. Winglets
Small vertical extensions at wingtips to reduce induced drag and improve
fuel efficiency.
14. Access Panels and Doors
Allow access to internal components for inspection and maintenance.
4. Optional Structural Additions (Specific to Aircraft Type)
15. Pylons and Hardpoints
Attachments for external stores, weapons, or auxiliary fuel tanks.
16. Canards (on some aircraft)
Small forward wings providing additional control or lift.
17. Internal Structural Bays
Avionics bay, cargo bay, equipment bay, wheel wells, etc.
