Quote:
Originally Posted by Machinbird
A couple years ago we had some discussion about structural deformation (buckling) of the cockpit longerons being the proximate cause of Gontermann's death in his Dr.I crash. Survivability lesson from the past
At the time I had proposed stiffening the cockpit bay of a steel tube replica by inserting carbon fiber rods into the longerons to help stiffen them.
I recently had an opportunity to discuss the idea with an engineer who had current experience with carbon fiber pultrusions. He recommended against use of carbon fiber to reinforce steel tube by pointing out that the carbon fiber is conductive and would likely promote corrosion in the longerons. As others suggested, he suggested that it would be better to both increase diameter and wall thickness of such critical tubes.
So if you had been considering my crazy idea to beef up your replica's cockpit using carbon fiber, probably best not to.  |
Another thought on the same line... with less weight penalty, although only a minimal increase in strength.
How about using a sprayed-in foam to help prevent tube deformation? It would help to maintain the round shape of the tube and prevent buckling.
Or... maybe just a plain (ok, "finished" with polyurethane or epoxy) wooden dowel? Wood is essentially non-conductive to begin with, and completely coating it would help prevent swelling/shrinking with changes in humidity.
It would help prevent the tube from collapsing, which is what happens when a tube buckles.