Ninth-grade science students at Aviation High School have been working with a group of Boeing engineers to design and test wing beams. The assignment was to design and build a cantilever wing beam (in the shape of a 2x4) out of papier mâché and test it to destruction. Pictured below are steps of the static test of the papier mâché wing beam design entries from the Flight Test Structures and Stability and Control Analysis groups. The ‘grade’ was determined by an efficiency factor that is calculated by dividing the max bending moment by the mass of the beam. Only newspaper and starch could be used as materials. There were additional dimensional requirements that also had to be met.
AHS student Rachel Sita is shown briefing the Boeing team on how to set up the test rig. The black, five-gallon bucket at the bottom is filled with water and is pulling down on the beam in the fixture. The data system is two data-loggers (in grey), one for beam deflection and one for water height. The beam is attached to the test rig by a C clamp.
The beam is in the fixture and being tested. Scott McComb (left), AHS science teacher, and one of the Boeing engineers add more weight to reach ultimate load. Note, that with a full bucket of water and about six diving weights inside, in total, this beam supported over 170 lbs.
