Hinge reactions of a statically indeterminate jointed control surface

Abstract

If the control surface of the aircraft is attached to the lifting member in a statically indeterminate manner, i.e. at three or more points, the Hinge reactions of the control surface will depend not only on the external load but also on other factors such as the ratio of the flexural rigidity and the deflection angle of the control surface. Thus the same external load leads to completely different hinge reactions at different control surface deflection angle. Moreover, in presence of only a vertical external load, when the control surface deflects, horizontal hinge reactions will appear that can exceed the vertical ones by several times. Design analysis Methods of mechanical strength of such structures do not take into account these circumstances. It has been assumed that lifting member is not deformed, and the control surface deflection angle does not affect the hinge reactions. To investigate these phenomena the corresponding mathematical models, implemented in the software package have been created. The results of numerical studies of the dependence of the hinge reactions on the control surface deflection angle and other parameters have been presented.