Feasibility modeling of a truss-braced wing as a beam

Abstract

This article presents a case study on the use of elementary beam and truss theory to ascertain whether a truss-braced wing is structurally feasible. It begins with a brief history of airplane structures, and then explains how elementary structures theory can be used to explore one aspect of how airplanes work. Its purpose is solely to see whether a truss-braced wing is structurally sensible, as a prelude to performing full-scale analyses of such configurations that would include their aerodyamics, materials, controls and economics.