Applied Load Factors in Bumpy Air

THE PAPER supplements the paper on Weight Saving by Structural Efficiency², prepared by Charles Ward Hall. Mr. Hall's paper was confined to a discussion of the design; Mr. Rhode's paper treats the loading conditions, because their sound establishment is the foundation of a safe and efficient structure. The basic character of the loading conditions is sufficient cause to justify extensive study of their underlying principles, since, in addition, structural failures are occurring which can be traced definitely to inadequate strength requirements and the study of the loading conditions becomes a problem of immediate practical importance, the author states.

Mr. Rhode's analysis is confined to the loading conditions on the wings of airplanes in the non-acrobatic category with particular reference to the total loads acting. In conclusion, he states that there seems to be no reason why design load factors for non-acrobatic airplanes will need to be increased greatly over those now used, but it is evident that load-factor schedules and design conditions can be put on a more rational basis than they are on at present, and this probably will be done when the data become extensive enough to justify such a move.