Frame for lighter-than-air aircraft.

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    Aircraft Frame
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the design considerations for a lighter-than-air aircraft, specifically focusing on the structural frame needed for a cylindrical airship envelope. Participants explore the lifting capacity of a proposed design and the materials suitable for constructing the frame, considering factors such as weight and cost.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a cylindrical airship design measuring 300' in length and 75' in diameter, suggesting it could lift approximately 45 tons with hydrogen, though noting the need to factor in atmospheric effects on hydrogen density.
  • Another participant questions whether the proposed design is fundamentally different from existing blimps or hydrogen-filled vessels, referencing historical examples like the Hindenburg.
  • A participant raises a technical concern about the structural integrity of the airship, stating that vessels relying on internal pressure tend to form a spherical shape, questioning how to maintain the cylindrical shape without the ends becoming domed.
  • A later reply suggests that a semi-rigid frame could be a logical choice to maintain the envelope's shape while allowing gas pressure to contribute to rigidity, proposing aluminum rods for the frame but expressing concern about potential weight issues.
  • The same participant also considers the trade-off between using solid aluminum rods and hollowed-out aluminum piping, noting that the latter may compromise the frame's shape.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the structural requirements for the airship, with some agreeing on the need for a frame while others debate the best materials and design approaches. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal solution for the frame's construction.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached consensus on the best material for the frame or the overall design approach, and there are unresolved concerns regarding the structural integrity of the proposed airship design.

GTeclips
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Hello everyone.

I have been trying to think of some practical and cheap airship designs. I have done some calculating, and if you were to have an airship's envelope in a cylindrical shape that is 300' long and 75' in diameter, it would be able to lift approximately around 45 tons if filled with hydrogen as a lifting gas (Not factoring in the atmospheric affects on the hydrogen's density) (Not including the weight of the envelope nor gonadal).

Question: If you were to have an envelope of this design, would it require a frame, and if so, what would be the best material to make it out of (Factoring in the weight and cost of said material)?

*Note* I do not actually intend on constructing a lighter-than-air aircraft. This is just an interest of mine.
 
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Check out blimps/Hindenburg/hydrogen.

Are you proposing something fundamentally different?
 
Any vessel that relies on internal pressure for rigidity will try to turn itself into a sphere. How do you stop the flat ends becoming domed? Anyway you want them domed so it goes through the air more easily. See also what jehake12 said.
 
Thank you for the replies!

I have actually done some debugging to my design, it would appear that a semi-rigid frame would be the logical choice, holding the general shape of the envelope and allowing the gas pressure to do the rest.

I would plan on crafting the frame of aluminum rods. My only concern is that if I made the frame of aluminum rods, it would weight the craft down too much, but if I use hollowed out aluminum piping, it would lose it's shape. Do any of you have any thoughts on a possible solution?
 

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