Is a hollowed out fuselage ideal?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of a hollowed-out fuselage in aircraft design, exploring its potential effects on aerodynamics, integration of components, and overall performance. Participants consider both theoretical implications and practical challenges associated with this design choice.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern that allowing air to pass through the fuselage could negatively impact the aircraft's performance.
  • Others question the rationale behind the hollow fuselage design, suggesting that it may complicate the integration of avionics and fuel systems.
  • One participant notes that increased wetted area could lead to higher skin friction drag due to boundary layer formation.
  • There is speculation about the potential for manipulating airflow through the fuselage to enhance lift, though the effectiveness compared to traditional wing surfaces is questioned.
  • Some participants mention that certain designs divert airflow through the fuselage for specific aerodynamic benefits, such as delaying flow separation from wings.
  • A reference is made to historical designs, such as early biplanes, and the possibility of innovative configurations in modern lift body designs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, as multiple competing views on the advantages and disadvantages of a hollow fuselage remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of detailed analysis on the specific aerodynamic effects and the dependence on definitions of terms like "hollow fuselage" and "lift body." Some assumptions about airflow manipulation and its implications are not fully explored.

yrjosmiel73
The air passes through the fuselage. Will it have bad effects on the aerocraft?
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Yes, I have horrible drawing skills.
 
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Why is this a good thing in your opinion?

I mean, lots of craft are essentially hollow tubes, but I suspect you weren't thinking in terms of a propulsion cavity.

North_American_F86-01.JPG
 
It becomes a pain to integrate avionics, fuel, and other essentials into the aircraft when a good portion of that internal volume exists so that air can flow through it. Not only that but skin friction drag would increase because there's more wetted area for boundary layers to form on.
 
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DaveC426913 said:
Why is this a good thing in your opinion?

I mean, lots of craft are essentially hollow tubes, but I suspect you weren't thinking in terms of a propulsion cavity.

North_American_F86-01.JPG

What if it's a plain 'ol tube? Without engines and that?
 
yrjosmiel73 said:
What if it's a plain 'ol tube? Without engines and that?
What is your rationale? What problem are you hoping it solves?

I'm not suggesting there is anything wrong with the idea, but if I posed a question such as 'what if I made a television shaped like a donut?', wouldn't you need to ask about my logic before answering?
 
DaveC426913 said:
What is your rationale? What problem are you hoping it solves?
I think of like manipulating the flow of air with the shape of the tube, like adding extra lift.
 
yrjosmiel73 said:
I think of like manipulating the flow of air with the shape of the tube, like adding extra lift.
Would it provide an advantage over the typical wing surfaces usually used? Enough to offset the disadvantages?
 
There are a cases where some air flow is diverted through the fuselage for beneficial effects. It can be used to delay separation from the wing or to avoid having too much air going through the engine. But it is done for specific reasons like those.

There were early biplanes. In this era of lift bodies, maybe there could be a "biplane" version of a lifting body. I don't know what the advantage would be, but there are all types of strange things being investigated these days.
 

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