Material Properties and Forces

Aerospace Engineering

2011 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Centroid Principles
Objects center of gravity or center of mass.
Graphically labeled as

Centroid Principles
One can determine a centroid location
by utilizing the cross-sectional view of
a three-dimensional object.

Centroid Location
Symmetrical Objects
Centroid location is determined by an
objects line of symmetry.

Centroid is located on
the line of symmetry.

When an object has multiple lines of symmetry,

its centroid is located at the intersection of the
lines of symmetry.

Moment of Inertia Principles

Moment of Inertia (I) is a mathematical property of
a cross section (measured in inches4) that gives
important information about how that cross-sectional
area is distributed about a centroidal axis.
Stiffness of an object related to its shape.
In general, a higher moment of inertia produces a
greater resistance to deformation.

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Moment of Inertia Principles

Two beams of equal cross-sectional area

Difference is the orientation of the load

Beam
Material
A
Douglas Fir
B
Douglas Fir

Length Width Height Area

8 ft
1 in. 5 in. 8 in.2
8 ft
5 in. 1 in. 8 in.2

Moment of Inertia Principles

What distinguishes beam A from beam B?

Will beam A or beam B have a greater resistance to
bending, resulting in the least amount of deformation,
if an identical load is applied to both beams at the
same location?

Moment of Inertia Principles

Why did beam B have greater deformation than
beam A?
Difference in moment of inertia due to the
orientation of the beam

Calculating Moment of Inertia Rectangles

Significant
influence

b = Width of sample
h = Thickness of sample

Calculating Moment of Inertia

Calculate beam A moment of inertia

1.5 in. 5.5 in.

12

1.5 in. 166.375 in.

12
4

249.5625 in.
=
12
4

=21 in.

Calculating Moment of Inertia

Calculate beam B moment of inertia

5.5 in. 1.5 in.

12

5.5 in. 3.375 in.

12

18.5625 in.4
=
12
4

=1.5 in.

Moment of Inertia
13.5 times
stiffer

Beam
A

Beam
B

IA =21 in.

IB =1.5 in.

Simple Shape vs. Flange Beams

Doing more with less

Complex Shapes
Use This Power
I = 10.67 in.4
Area = 8.00 in.2

I = 6.08 in.4
Area = 2.75 in.2

Moment of Inertia Composites

Why are composite materials used in
structural design?

+
Styrofoam
(Weak)

Fiberglass
Sandwich
(Weak)
Styrofoam
+
Fiberglass
(Strong)

Structural Member Properties

Modulus of Elasticity (E) The ratio of the
increment of some specified form of stress to the
increment of some specified form of strain. Also
known as Youngs Modulus.

In general, a higher
modulus of elasticity
produces a greater
resistance to
deformation.

Tension Stress
A body being stretched
Applied load divided by cross-sectional area

The shape of the cross section is not important

Appropriate cross section is the smallest area
in the loaded part

Compression
A body being squeezed
Load divided by area
Only for parts that are very short compared
to cross sectional dimensions or parts that
are laterally constrained

Tensile Test Stress-Strain Curve

Modulus of Elasticity (E)

The proportional constant (ratio of stress
and strain)
stress = load
Area

or

strain = amount of stretch

or
original length

A measure of stiffness The ability of a

material to resist stretching when loaded

Tensile Test Stress-Strain Curve

Plastic Deformation
Unrecoverable elongation beyond
the elastic limit
When the load is removed, only the
elastic deformation will be recovered

Modulus of Elasticity Principles

Beam
Material
Length Width Height Area
I
A
Douglas Fir
8 ft
1 in. 5 in. 8 in.2 20.8 in.4
B
ABS plastic
8 ft
1 in. 5 in. 8 in.2 20.8 in.4

Modulus of Elasticity Principles

What distinguishes beam A from beam B?

Will beam A or beam B have a greater resistance to
bending, resulting in the least amount of deformation,
if an identical load is applied to both beams at the
same location?

Modulus of Elasticity Principles

Why did beam B have greater deformation than
beam A?
Difference in material modulus of elasticity
The ability of a material to deform and return to
its original shape

Characteristics of objects that impact deflection

(MAX)
Applied force or load
Length of span between supports
Modulus of elasticity
Moment of inertia

Calculating Beam Deflection

Max = F L
48 E I
3

Beam

Material

Length
(L)

Moment Modulus of Force

of Inertia Elasticity
(F)
(I)
(E)

Douglas Fir

8 ft

20.8 in.4

ABS Plastic

8 ft

20.8 in.4

1,800,000 250 lbf

psi
419,000
psi

250 lbf

Calculating Beam Deflection

Max = F L3
48 E I
Calculate beam deflection for beam A

Max = 250 lbf (96 in.)3

48 (1,800,000 psi) (20.8 in.4)
Max = 0.123 in.
Beam
A

Material
Douglas Fir

Length
I
E
Load
8 ft
20.8 in.4 1,800,000 250 lbf
psi

Calculating Beam Deflection

Max = F L3
48 E I
Calculate beam deflection for beam B

Max = 250 lbf (96 in.)3

48 (419,000 psi) (20.8 in.4)
Max = 0.53 in.
Beam
B

Material
ABS Plastic

Length
8 ft

I
20.8 in.4

E
419,000
psi

Load
250 lbf

Douglas Fir vs. ABS Plastic

4.24
Times
less
deflection

Max A = 0.123 in.

Max B = 0.53 in.

Statics
The study of forces and their effects
on a system in a state of rest or
uniform motion

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Equilibrium
Static equilibrium:
A condition where there are no net external
forces acting upon a particle or rigid body
and the body remains at rest or continues
at a constant velocity

Translational equilibrium:
The state in which there are no unbalanced
forces acting on a body

F =0
F =0
x

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Balanced

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Unbalanced

Equilibrium
Rotational equilibrium:
The state in which the sum of all clockwise
moments equals the sum of all
counterclockwise moments about a pivot
point

M=0
Remember
Moment = F x D

m
to.co
kpho
c
o
t
iS

Truss Analysis
Primary truss loads loads calculated with
ideal assumptions
Used in welded steel-tube fuselages, pistonengine motor mounts, ribs, and landing gear

Truss Analysis Engine Mount Example

Line of force is from the center of gravity of
the engine
Rigid connection from the fuselage and
engine to the truss

3,200lbf

Summary
Centroid is objects center of gravity or
center of mass
Moment of Inertia (I) is a mathematical
property of a cross section
Significant
influence

Summary
Composite shapes used in
structural design to create
lightweight, strong material

Modulus of Elasticity (E)

The ratio of the increment of
some specified form of stress
to the increment of some
specified form of strain
Deflection calculated using
modulus of elasticity
Max = F L3
48 E I

Summary
Equilibrium
Translational
Rotational

F =0
F =0
M=0
x