The aspect ratio of a wing is calculated by dividing the square of the wingspan by the wing area. It's a dimensionless number indicating how long and slender a wing is.
Here's a breakdown of how to calculate it:
Formula:
Aspect Ratio (AR) = (Wingspan)2 / Wing Area
Where:
- Wingspan: The distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip (b).
- Wing Area: The total surface area of the wing (S).
Steps:
- Determine the Wingspan (b): Measure the distance from wingtip to wingtip. Make sure to use consistent units (e.g., feet, meters).
- Determine the Wing Area (S): This can be more complex depending on the shape of the wing.
- Rectangular Wing: Area = Wingspan x Chord (Chord is the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing)
- Tapered Wing: Area = (Wingspan x (Root Chord + Tip Chord)) / 2 (Root chord is the chord at the wing root, and tip chord is the chord at the wingtip)
- More Complex Shapes: For complex wing shapes, you might need to divide the wing into smaller sections, calculate the area of each section, and then add them together. CAD software or specialized tools can also be used.
- Calculate the Aspect Ratio: Divide the square of the wingspan by the wing area.
Example:
Let's say you have a wing with:
- Wingspan (b) = 10 meters
- Wing Area (S) = 2 square meters
Then, the Aspect Ratio (AR) = (10 meters)2 / 2 square meters = 100 / 2 = 50
Importance of Aspect Ratio:
- Aerodynamic Efficiency: Higher aspect ratio wings generally produce less induced drag, leading to better fuel efficiency and longer range.
- Stall Characteristics: Aspect ratio influences stall characteristics. Higher aspect ratio wings tend to have more gentle stall characteristics.
- Maneuverability: Lower aspect ratio wings are generally more maneuverable.
Summary Table:
| Variable | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan (b) | Distance from one wingtip to the other. | meters, feet |
| Wing Area (S) | Total surface area of the wing. | m2, ft2 |
| Aspect Ratio (AR) | (Wingspan)2 / Wing Area | Dimensionless |
