The structural design of the tailplane of the JS1 glider

Abstract

A new technique was developed with which to accurately predict the mechanical properties of composite materials without the influence of fluctuating thickness of the composite due to the matrix material. Using this technique a new tailplane was designed for the JS1 18m-class glider. The designing of the tailplane was done by means of classical analytical methods with the use of LAP (Laminate Analysis Program). The methods used by LAP are based on classical lamination theory. Due to the complex shape of the new tailplane various limitations existed on the accurate analysis of the complex three dimensional structure of the tailplane. A finite element analysis program (ANSYS) was used to model the tailplane which was designed. Using the finite element model a more accurate analysis could be done taking into account the complex shape and material lay-up of the tailplane. To verify the analysis process of the tailplane a physical model was built from available material which was also analysed with ANSYS. The deflections obtained from the finite element modelling of the tailplane were compared with deflections of the model under similar loading conditions. The values fell within 3,5% of each other. The analysis technique used could therefore be accepted as accurate.