Mechanics of Aircraft structures

C.T. Sun
1.3 The dimensions of a steel (300M) I-beam are b =50 mm, t =5 mm, and h =200
mm (Fig. 1.17). Assume that t and h are to be fixed for an aluminum(7075-T6)
I-beam. Find the width b for the aluminum beam so that its bending stiffness EI
is equal to that of the steel beam. Compare the weights-per-unit length of these
two beams. Which is more efficient weightwise?


Figure 1.17 Dimensions of the cross-section of an I-beam

Solution:
(1) The expression of area moment of inertia I for an I-beam is:
2 ] )
2
)( (
12
[ ) (
12
2 3 3
+ + =
h
bt t
b
t h
t
I , by applying Parallel Axis Theorem.
(2) First obtaining the area moment of inertia of the steel (300M) I-beam with given b,
t, and h.
4 2 3 3
8090573 2 ] )
2
200
)( 5 50 ( 5
12
50
[ ) 5 200 (
12
5
mm I
Steel
= + + =
(3) For the given condition
Steel um Alu
EI EI ) ( ) (
min
=
we have
4
St
Al
St
Al
mm 22790000 8090573
71
200
I
E
E
I = = =
which allows to calculate the width b for the aluminum beam with the following
result:
22790000 b 8 . 100020 3 . 3089531
2 ] )
2
200
)( 5 b ( 5
12
b
[ ) 5 200 (
12
5
I
2 3 3
Al
= + =
+ + =

and mm 197 b =
---- ANS
(4) Then we compare the weights-per-unit length of these two beams.
1.3.1
Mechanics of Aircraft structures
C.T. Sun
The weights-per-unit length is defined as
A w = , where =density , and A=cross-sectional area
(i) For the Steel beam
) / ( 10 8 . 7 ) / ( 8 . 7
3 3 3
mm g cm g
St

= =
) ( 1475 5 50 2 5 ) 5 200 (
2
mm A
St
= + =
) mm / g ( 5 . 11 1475 10 8 . 7 A w
3
St St St
= = =


(ii) For the Aluminum beam
) / ( 10 78 . 2 ) / ( 78 . 2
3 3 3
mm g cm g
Al

= =
) mm ( 2945 5 97 . 196 2 5 ) 5 200 ( A
2
Al
= + =
) mm / g ( 2 . 8 7 . 2944 10 78 . 2 A w
3
Al Al Al
= = =


For a unit length of both materials, the aluminum beam is much lighter than the
steel beam. It means that the ALUMINUM BEAM IS MORE EFFICIENT!
--- ANS

1.3.2