So i've been thinking about this for a while now - Due to my background in graphic design and 3d Shape modelling I have some theoretical issues with Geodetic wing construction.
Id love someone to tell me Im wrong - and perhaps I am, or perhaps this just hasn't been thought of...
With Geodetic wing construction the wing ribs are angled in and out - Like pidgeon toed.
When designing these ribs - has the angled curve been taken into consideration that it will change not only the camber of the airfoil but the overall length and dimensions ( height exculded ) ?
If you take a standard shape rib - and angle in to any degree - you will change the shape of the airfoil from the front on perspective.
I must confess - I have not read into the design details of geodetic wing construction in any length so I may be barking up the wrong tree - so I would like to be informed to the later if possible.
However - if you build a wing and make your normal ribs angled at any degree 10 - 45 ' you will alter the design charactistics, my question is - If you want to build a set of ribs ( Say cardinal or Impact ) how would you design the rib - take into consideration the scale perspective effect of it being angled, and compensate for that so the overall shape is the same as it would be in regular front on view?
We have some sophisticated 3d tooling at work and the only way I can think to reverse calculate it is to build a rib in 3d, build your standard rib in 3d, offset one - and get the computer to take a snapshot of that rib from front on and match it to the standard no- angled rib.. How that would work is beyond my skill..
Any takers??
Its very simple - to exagerate my theory - take a rib.. build a wing with it to 90 square to the spare - a standard rib..
Now build another wing - with all the ribs offset to 45 deg to the spar - the camber and length now have both changed dramatically...