Research Article
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Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing with a Repaired Front Spar

Year 2026, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 914 - 921, 15.03.2026
https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1852119
https://izlik.org/JA52UZ58DB

Abstract

This article hypothesizes that the leading spar of an experimental aircraft wing is damaged, and that this damage will be repaired using different variations. The effect of these repairs on the wing's strength is investigated. Aircraft accidents and incidents caused by damage or cracks in the leading spar served as the basis for this study. 3D models of all repair variations were created, and mathematical mesh models were developed to examine the strength parameters generated using the finite element method. The von-Mises stress, shear stress, safety factor, and wingtip deformation in the repaired area of the leading spar were compared according to the repair variations to evaluate the wing's strength. Furthermore, the strength condition was also evaluated based on the damaged spar sector. During the evaluations, the strength parameters were examined using an undamaged wing as a reference.

Ethical Statement

This study did not involve human participants or animals and therefore did not require ethics committee approval.

References

  • Budynas, R. G., & Nisbett, J. K. (2011). Shigley’s mechanical engineering design (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
  • European Aviation Safety Agency. (2008). Airworthiness directive: CF-2007-31 – DHC-6 Twin Otter wing front spar adapter cracks (Issue CF-2007-31). https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/CF-2007-31
  • Hirsch, J., Skrotzki, B., & Gottstein, G. (Eds.). (2008). Aluminium alloys: The physical and mechanical properties (Vol. 1). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Kaya, İ. (2022). The effect of center of gravity and shear center locations on flutter behavior of wings (Unpublished thesis, University of Turkish Aeronautical Association). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.36231.27048
  • Keçelioğlu, G. (2008). Stress and fracture analysis of riveted joints (Master’s thesis, Middle East Technical University). OpenMETU. https://open.metu.edu.tr/handle/11511/18070
  • Kondo, A., Kasahara, T., & Kanda, A. (2021). A simplified finite element model of riveted joints for structural analyses with consideration of nonlinear load-transfer characteristics. Aerospace, 8(7), 196. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace8070196
  • Langrand, B., Deletombe, E., Markiewicz, E., & Drazetic, P. (2001). Riveted joint modeling for numerical analysis of airframe crashworthiness. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 38(1), 21–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-874X(01)00050-6
  • Majka, A. (2013). Flight loads of mini UAV. Solid State Phenomena, 198, 194-199. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.198.194
  • National Transportation Safety Board. (1999). Aviation investigation final report: Accident number FTW99FA123—Cessna 402C, N819BW, Goldsby, Oklahoma (Report No. FTW99FA123). https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46183/pdf
  • National Transportation Safety Board. (2005). Aviation investigation final report: Incident number SEA05IA115—Piper PA-46-350P wing lower spar cap crack found during inspection (Report No. SEA05IA115). https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61685/pdf
  • National Transportation Safety Board. (2018). Materials laboratory factual report: ERA18FA120—Piper PA-28R wing spar lower cap fatigue cracking (Report No. ERA18FA120). https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA18FA120+Structures+Factual-Rel.pdf&ID=7869710
  • National Transportation Safety Board. (2023, August 23). Aviation investigation final report: Accident number WPR21FA266—Beech C90, N3688P, Wikieup, Arizona (Report No. WPR21FA266). https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103452/pdf
  • Pippig, R., Schmidl, E., Steinert, P., Schubert, A., & Lampke, T. (2017). Experimental and numerical investigation of the residual yield strength of aluminium alloy EN AW-2024-T3 affected by artificially produced pitting corrosion. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 181(1), 012023. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/181/1/012023
  • Saravanan, G., Johnson, A. A., & Pandiarajan, P. (2018). Finite element analysis of aircraft wing joint and fatigue life prediction under variable loading using MSC Patran and Nastran. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 9(11), 1111–1119. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET?Volume=9&Issue=11
  • Voß, A. (2020). Design and structural optimization of a flying wing of low aspect ratio based on flight loads (Doctoral dissertation, Technische Universität Berlin).
  • Zheng, Y., Dai, Y., Huang, G., & Hu, Y. (2025). Gust response alleviation via wingtip bending freely with fluid-structure interaction approach based on dynamic modal rotation method. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cja.2025.103851

Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing with a Repaired Front Spar

Year 2026, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 914 - 921, 15.03.2026
https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1852119
https://izlik.org/JA52UZ58DB

Abstract

This article hypothesizes that the leading spar of an experimental aircraft wing is damaged, and that this damage will be repaired using different variations. The effect of these repairs on the wing's strength is investigated. Aircraft accidents and incidents caused by damage or cracks in the leading spar served as the basis for this study. 3D models of all repair variations were created, and mathematical mesh models were developed to examine the strength parameters generated using the finite element method. The von-Mises stress, shear stress, safety factor, and wingtip deformation in the repaired area of the leading spar were compared according to the repair variations to evaluate the wing's strength. Furthermore, the strength condition was also evaluated based on the damaged spar sector. During the evaluations, the strength parameters were examined using an undamaged wing as a reference.

Ethical Statement

This study did not involve human participants or animals and therefore did not require ethics committee approval.

References

  • Budynas, R. G., & Nisbett, J. K. (2011). Shigley’s mechanical engineering design (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
  • European Aviation Safety Agency. (2008). Airworthiness directive: CF-2007-31 – DHC-6 Twin Otter wing front spar adapter cracks (Issue CF-2007-31). https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/CF-2007-31
  • Hirsch, J., Skrotzki, B., & Gottstein, G. (Eds.). (2008). Aluminium alloys: The physical and mechanical properties (Vol. 1). John Wiley & Sons.
  • Kaya, İ. (2022). The effect of center of gravity and shear center locations on flutter behavior of wings (Unpublished thesis, University of Turkish Aeronautical Association). https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.36231.27048
  • Keçelioğlu, G. (2008). Stress and fracture analysis of riveted joints (Master’s thesis, Middle East Technical University). OpenMETU. https://open.metu.edu.tr/handle/11511/18070
  • Kondo, A., Kasahara, T., & Kanda, A. (2021). A simplified finite element model of riveted joints for structural analyses with consideration of nonlinear load-transfer characteristics. Aerospace, 8(7), 196. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace8070196
  • Langrand, B., Deletombe, E., Markiewicz, E., & Drazetic, P. (2001). Riveted joint modeling for numerical analysis of airframe crashworthiness. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 38(1), 21–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-874X(01)00050-6
  • Majka, A. (2013). Flight loads of mini UAV. Solid State Phenomena, 198, 194-199. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/SSP.198.194
  • National Transportation Safety Board. (1999). Aviation investigation final report: Accident number FTW99FA123—Cessna 402C, N819BW, Goldsby, Oklahoma (Report No. FTW99FA123). https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46183/pdf
  • National Transportation Safety Board. (2005). Aviation investigation final report: Incident number SEA05IA115—Piper PA-46-350P wing lower spar cap crack found during inspection (Report No. SEA05IA115). https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61685/pdf
  • National Transportation Safety Board. (2018). Materials laboratory factual report: ERA18FA120—Piper PA-28R wing spar lower cap fatigue cracking (Report No. ERA18FA120). https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA18FA120+Structures+Factual-Rel.pdf&ID=7869710
  • National Transportation Safety Board. (2023, August 23). Aviation investigation final report: Accident number WPR21FA266—Beech C90, N3688P, Wikieup, Arizona (Report No. WPR21FA266). https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103452/pdf
  • Pippig, R., Schmidl, E., Steinert, P., Schubert, A., & Lampke, T. (2017). Experimental and numerical investigation of the residual yield strength of aluminium alloy EN AW-2024-T3 affected by artificially produced pitting corrosion. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 181(1), 012023. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/181/1/012023
  • Saravanan, G., Johnson, A. A., & Pandiarajan, P. (2018). Finite element analysis of aircraft wing joint and fatigue life prediction under variable loading using MSC Patran and Nastran. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 9(11), 1111–1119. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJMET?Volume=9&Issue=11
  • Voß, A. (2020). Design and structural optimization of a flying wing of low aspect ratio based on flight loads (Doctoral dissertation, Technische Universität Berlin).
  • Zheng, Y., Dai, Y., Huang, G., & Hu, Y. (2025). Gust response alleviation via wingtip bending freely with fluid-structure interaction approach based on dynamic modal rotation method. Chinese Journal of Aeronautics. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cja.2025.103851
There are 16 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Aerospace Structures
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Gürkan Ortamevzi 0000-0002-6380-2575

Submission Date December 30, 2025
Acceptance Date March 1, 2026
Publication Date March 15, 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1852119
IZ https://izlik.org/JA52UZ58DB
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 9 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Ortamevzi, G. (2026). Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing with a Repaired Front Spar. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, 9(2), 914-921. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1852119
AMA 1.Ortamevzi G. Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing with a Repaired Front Spar. BSJ Eng. Sci. 2026;9(2):914-921. doi:10.34248/bsengineering.1852119
Chicago Ortamevzi, Gürkan. 2026. “Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing With a Repaired Front Spar”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 9 (2): 914-21. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1852119.
EndNote Ortamevzi G (March 1, 2026) Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing with a Repaired Front Spar. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 9 2 914–921.
IEEE [1]G. Ortamevzi, “Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing with a Repaired Front Spar”, BSJ Eng. Sci., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 914–921, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.34248/bsengineering.1852119.
ISNAD Ortamevzi, Gürkan. “Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing With a Repaired Front Spar”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 9/2 (March 1, 2026): 914-921. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1852119.
JAMA 1.Ortamevzi G. Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing with a Repaired Front Spar. BSJ Eng. Sci. 2026;9:914–921.
MLA Ortamevzi, Gürkan. “Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing With a Repaired Front Spar”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, vol. 9, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 914-21, doi:10.34248/bsengineering.1852119.
Vancouver 1.Gürkan Ortamevzi. Structural Evaluation of an Aircraft Wing with a Repaired Front Spar. BSJ Eng. Sci. 2026 Mar. 1;9(2):914-21. doi:10.34248/bsengineering.1852119

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