Experimental evaluation of tailored chordwise deformable box beam and correlation with theory

This paper describes an experimental methodology based upon the use of a flexible sling support and load application system that has been created and utilized to evaluate a box beam which incorporates an elastic tailoring technology. The design technique used here for elastically tailoring the composite box beam structure is to produce exaggerated chordwise camber deformation of substantial magnitude to be of practical use in the new composite aircraft wings. The traditional methods such as a four-point bend test to apply constant bending moment with rigid fixtures inhibits the designed chordwise deformation from occurring and, hence, the need for the new test method. The experimental results for global camber and spanwise bending compliances correlate well with theoretical predictions based on a beam-like model.