Structural analysis
Aircraft Structural FEA — Piper PA-28
- Start date
- 2024
- End date
- 2025
I modelled and assessed Piper PA-28 wing-spar alternatives to examine structural performance and weight efficiency. The study combined four geometries with steel and Aluminium 6061, producing eight configurations for comparison.
- My role
- Wing-spar modelling and comparative structural assessment
- Project
- Structural analysis
- Tools
- Not specified in the supplied material
- Methods
- Finite element analysis · Structural modelling · Comparative assessment
Project Brief
The study examined how wing-spar geometry and material choice affected structural performance and weight efficiency for the Piper PA-28.
My Contribution
I modelled four wing-spar geometries for the Piper PA-28 using steel and Aluminium 6061, creating eight configurations for comparative assessment.
Structural Assessment
I compared Von Mises stress, displacement and safety factors to examine the relationship between strength, structural performance and weight efficiency.
Comparison Framework
I assessed the eight configurations using a common set of structural quantities.
Von Mises stress
I compared the stress results as part of the structural assessment.
Displacement
I examined displacement alongside stress to assess structural response.
Safety factors
I included safety factors in the comparison of configurations.
Material and geometry
I considered four spar geometries in steel and Aluminium 6061 in relation to strength and weight efficiency.
Outcome
I completed a comparative structural assessment across eight wing-spar configurations. A preferred configuration and numerical results are not specified without the supporting analysis.
Supporting analysis
The load cases, boundary conditions, mesh details and numerical comparison will be added with the supporting analysis. No preferred configuration or numerical result is claimed here without that evidence.
Engineering Competencies
I developed structural models and interpreted stress, displacement and safety-factor results to compare material and geometry alternatives.
Structural modelling
I translated alternative spar geometries and material choices into configurations for analysis.
Engineering comparison
I assessed several response quantities together rather than using a single result to describe structural performance.