How much can an airplane wing bend?

How much can an airplane wing bend?

Many modern passenger jets can flex their wings nearly 90 degrees in a test rig. To see how the wings and fuselage would behave under both normal and exceptional loads during their life, manufacturers perform so-called “static tests.”

How much stress can airplane wings take?

Aircraft wings can flex much more than most people realize. During testing, the Boeing 787 wings flexed 26 feet upward before failing. Aircraft designers calculate the maximum stress they anticipate a wing will experience in flight, then make it able to withstand 50% more as a safety margin.

Why do the 787 wings bend so much?

The wings of the Boeing 787 are so flexible because its carbon fiber material can be stretched more, and the high aspect ratio of 11 will magnify this effect. In flight, all you will feel is less shaking due to gusts, because the wing will dampen load changes more effectively.

Do airplane wings move up and down?

As the air accelerates downward, the wing (and the plane) move upward. The more an airfoil diverts the path of the oncoming air, the more lift it generates.

How tall was the 747 test wing when it broke?

The 747 test wing was bent 34 feet when it broke in 1969. I used to refuel B-52’s and at the beginning the wingtip would be over 15 feet above my head and at the end it would be 4 feet off the ground. There is one drawback of course.

How are the wings of a Boeing 777 tested?

Here you’ll see the wings of a Boeing 777 undergoing a test that goes by several names including “wing-up bending test” and “static testing.” The process is simple: You drag the wings up until they snap in order to find out exactly how much flex they have.

Are there any stress tests on airplane wings?

In fact, they probably have a bit more flex than you’d expect, and these stress tests that take them to the edge (and beyond!) will show you the full extent of flexibility. Here you’ll see the wings of a Boeing 777 undergoing a test that goes by several names including “wing-up bending test” and “static testing.”

What kind of stress test does a 777 go through?

Just like the Boeing 777, the Airbus A350 has to live through some static stress testing as well. Unfortunately this footage doesn’t show the breaking point, but it does give you an idea of just how much these wings can flex. Unlike the static tests above, here’s what’s called a fatigue test.