Aircraft Design Questions and Answers – Configuration Layout – Structural Considerations

This set of Aircraft Design Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Configuration Layout – Structural Considerations”.

1. What is the load path?
a) Structural elements by virtue of which similar forces are connected
b) Structural elements by virtue of which opposing forces are connected
c) Structural elements by virtue of which opposite moments are linked
d) Lifting path
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Load path is nothing but the elements by virtue of which opposing forces are connected. Typically, a good structural arrangement will have efficient load path. By providing appropriate load path, we can improve our design based on structural considerations.

2. We can minimize the weight of the structural member by _________
a) placing similar forces near to each other
b) placing opposite forces away from each other
c) placing opposite forces near to each other
d) placing only upward forces near to each other
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: To reduce the structural weight it is required that our design should have efficient load paths through which we can effectively connect opposing forces. For a typical aircraft, two common forces to be resolved are lift and force. Hence, by locating opposite forces near to each other we can improve structural considerations of our design.

3. Span-loading is defined as __________
a) inverse of power loading
b) thrust loading
c) wing loading
d) distribution of weight along span as lift distribution
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Span-loading is the distribution of weight along span as lift is distributed. Thrust loading is the ratio of thrust and weight. Wing loading is weight per area. Power loading is weight of aircraft to the power produced.
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4. To reduce weight of the structural member we can __________
a) provide only straightest possible load paths
b) provide shortest and straightest possible load paths
c) provide only shortest possible load paths
d) provide shortest and highly curved possible load paths
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In general it is required to locate opposing forces at the same location. We can reducing weight by doing so. However, it is not possible for every scenario. Hence, we need to provide some path through which we can connect these forces. These paths are load paths and by providing shortest and straightest possible load path we can reduce the weight.

5. Following diagram represents __________
Figure representating ideal condition of distribution of lift and weight along the span
a) ideal wing loading
b) ideal thrust loading
c) ideal span loading
d) ideal power loading
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Above figure is representing the distribution of lift and weight along the span. It is shown in figure that weight is distributed exactly same as lift along the span. This is ideal condition and termed as ideal span loading.

6. Longerons are used to oppose __________
a) expansion only
b) bending
c) contraction only
d) drag
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Longerons are structural members of an aircraft. They are heavy and used to prevent the bending. Longerons are fewer in numbers and primarily opposes the loads which can result in the bending stress and can cause the bending of structure. Their placement should be considered while designing the aircraft.

7. To decrease the weight of a typical commercial fuselage, stringers should be _________
a) only straight
b) straight and curved
c) interrupted at every point
d) straight and uninterrupted
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: A typical transport fuselage will have more numbers of stringers attached to its structure. Stringers are short and light structural elements. They are distributed around fuselage circumference. Stringers should be straight and uninterrupted to minimize the weight as possible and as per our requirement.
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8. Fuselage bending loads are carried by ___________
a) nelson
b) tail
c) keelson
d) ribs
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Keelson is a large beam placed at fuselage bottom. Keelson is structural element through which bending loads are carried out. Tail is after section of the aircraft which has primary purpose to provide stability and control.

9. If possible, we should avoid using any structural cutout.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Typically, cutouts will increase the weight of the structure. A cutout provided at the wing carry through box in order to place landing gear or undercarriage will require larger cutout and will increase load as well. Hence, if possible then we should avoid it.

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10. Following diagram represents ______
Figure representating Wing box carry through arrangement & fuselage used in aviation
a) ring frames
b) wing box carrythrough
c) bending beams
d) strut braced
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Wing box carry through arrangement is shown in above diagram. These arrangement is widely used in general aviation and transport aircrafts. Here, box is continued from wing through the fuselage as can be seen in the diagram.

11. Following diagram represents ______
Ring frames arrangement used to oppose bending
a) strut braced
b) bending beams
c) ring frames
d) hybrid strut braced
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: A typical ring frames arrangement is shown in above diagram. In this type of wing carry through, large and heavy bulkheads are used. These bulkheads are used to oppose the bending. This type is mostly used by modern fighters.

12. Following diagram represents ______
Bending beam arrangement combination of the wing box and ring frames
a) hybrid strut braced
b) ring frames
c) strut braced
d) bending beams
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Bending beam arrangement is shown in above diagram. This type is combination of the wing box and ring frames wing carry through arrangement. Strut braced will rely upon strut and used in slower transport aircraft typically.

13. A wing has chord of 1m. Find the appropriate range of the front spar position from l.e.
a) 0.9m-1.5m
b) 0.2m-0.3m
c) 3.2
d) 1.2
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Given chord c = 1m.
Typical range of front spar location = 20% to 30% of chord = 20% of 1 to 30% of 1 = 0.2*1 to 0.3*1 = 0.2m-0.3m.

14. A spar is located at 65% of MAC from leading edge. If spar is positioned in such way that distance between t.e. and spar is 2m then, estimate chord of wing.
a) 5.71m
b) 6.8
c) 4.4
d) 6.5
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Given location of spar = 65% of MAC, distance from t.e. = 2m.
Spar is located at 65% of chord from l.e. hence, from t.e. location of spar = (100% – 65%) of chord = 1-0.65 = 0.35*chord.
From given, 0.35*chord = 2m
Chord = 2/0.35 = 5.71m.

15. A typical large airliner has outer diameter of 20in. find the approximate value of diameter for passenger compartment.
a) 20in
b) 34in
c) 12in
d) 24in
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Given external diameter = 20in. Radius = 20/2 = 10in.
Approximate radius of passenger compartment = external radius – structural thickness
= 10-4 = 6in
Hence, diameter = 2*6 = 12in.

Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Aircraft Design.

To practice all areas of Aircraft Design, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.

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Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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