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Home Courses Introduction to Aerospace Structures and Materials Course materials Readings 3.1.4 Main Takeaways on Aircraft Structural Elements

3.1.4 Main Takeaways on Aircraft Structural Elements

Course subject(s) Module 3. Aerospace Structures

Aircraft structural elements can be divided in two parts:

  • Primary structural elements, load bearing parts, that in case of severe damage will cause the entire aircraft to fail
  • Secondary structural elements, that only carry aerodynamic or inertia loads generated in or on the structure.

The main structural elements of an aircraft are the wing and the fuselage. Each has its own set of sub elements that allow it to function.

The main elements of an aircraft fuselage are:

  • bulkhead
  • stiffeners
  • frames
  • skin

The main elements of an aircraft wing are:

  • spars
  • ribs
  • skin
  • stiffeners
  • torsion box
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