Aileron reversal and wing divergence of swept wings

Abstract

A method of solution for the aileron reversal speed of a swept wing (with emphasis on sweepback) is developed on the lines of strip and semi-rigid theories. The influence of the following parameters is investigated :-- (a) The degree of sweep. (b) Wing torsional and flexural stiffness. (c) Wing plan-form. (d) Aileron plan form. Families of curves are given for extended variation of these parameters which may be used for the direct estimation of the reversal speed of a given wing by interpolation. A solution is given for the wing divergence speed of a swept wing. The general results have been obtained using simple modes of wing deformation but equations are quoted for any given modes of deformation and the adopted modes are compared with the actual deformations produced by the aerodynamic loading for an extreme case. A suggestion is put forward for improving the accuracy of the semi-rigid approach by an iterative method of solution and the flexural mode of distortion is investigated for a particular case.