Resistance factor: a structural engineering approach

2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 655-664
Author(s):  
Gary C. Hart
Keyword(s):  
Structural Engineering ◽  
Resistance Factor ◽  
Engineering Approach

scholarly journals An Approach to the Mechanics of Pleating in Dragonfly Wings

1986 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 361-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. S. Newman ◽  
R. J. Wootton
Keyword(s):  
Structural Engineering ◽  
Skin Effect ◽  
Functional Study ◽  
Structural Failure ◽  
Wing Morphology ◽  
Plate Structure ◽  
Engineering Approach ◽  
Pure Tension ◽  
Heavy Loads ◽  
Dragonfly Wings

A structural engineering approach to the pleated wings of Odonata has been developed during a functional study of wing morphology in the group. The wing can be regarded as a folded plate structure within which each pleat-side acts as a deep plate-girder. Small cross-veins act as stiffeners within the girders, allowing the membrane to carry web shearing forces as pure tension, through a stressed-skin effect. Bending experiments confirm that the membrane significantly increases the rigidity of wing components. The properties of the membrane are unknown. It lacks birefringence, is very thin, and may be pure epicuticle. The advantages of stressedskin construction are discussed, and possible modes of structural failure considered. The wing seems adapted to yield reversibly to unpredictable heavy loads.

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