OS-T: 1320 Nonlinear Gap Analysis of an Airplane Wing Rib

Figure 1. Wing Rib Model

There are four shell components in the model: the mounting flange, the web, the top and bottom flanges, and the lug. Gap elements have already been defined in the model and they connect the web to the lug. Coupling forces are applied to the lug and pressure loading has been defined on the top and bottom flanges of the rib joint. The mounting flange is constrained in all degrees of freedom at the four mounting hole locations and the lug is constrained for the z-displacements and rotations to prevent rigid body motion.