An experimental investigation into the suitability of a corrugated construction wing for a laminar-flow aerofoil

Abstract

This report describes a detailed experimental investigation into the structural features of a 6-ft chord wing specimen having thick skin reinforced by spanwise corrugations. The tests included surface distortion, proof and ultimate tests on the specimen and compression tests on two panels. A short length of parallel specimen was used with a simplified test rig built for the purpose. These tests showed that for this specimen, provided the wing can be made smooth in the first place, it will not be adversely affected by loads imposed in service. The major portion of the surface distortion in flight will be due to the aerodynamic suction; the effect of direct and shear stresses being negligible. In the ultimate tests failure was due to elastic instability of the skin and corrugations at a compressive stress of 11.1 t/sq in. This compares favourably with the compressive stress at failure of the panels, which, when corrected for the shear stress present in the wing, reduces to 11.3 t/sq in.