PROGRESS in Structural Design through STRAIN-GAGE TECHNIQUE

THE technique of the application of modern electrical strain-gage equipment to basic problems in modern aircraft structural design is discussed in this paper. The general nature of the equipment is very briefly described. Special arrangements of strain-gage units for each type of stress are discussed together with problems of economy and efficiency in the use of the available equipment.

The application of these methods to a number of typical problems is outlined to point out means by which more precise design can be accomplished. The knowledge, so gained, permits the simplification of the aircraft structure with a corresponding simplification of production problems. These methods are explained from the point of view of their application to the structural behavior of complete structural assemblies.

Most of the discussion is concerned with static proof tests or flight tests, but some comment on laboratory applications in connection with the development of structural theory is made. Finally, a summary of the difficulties involved and the problems that may be anticipated terminates the paper.