Structures
The Structures Discipline is responsible for designing the internal support structure making our aircraft capable of handling all predicted flight loads. They also design the mounting solutions of the internal flight hardware necessary for flight, including all onboard avionics and the engines. Furthermore, they are responsible for overseeing the build and assembly of the final aircraft configurations, ensuring high-quality parts that are ready for flight testing.
Shown below are the subteams within the Structures Discipline and the various projects within them!
Subteams
The Structural Design team is responsible for designing the internal structure and ensuring the aircraft can ensure all potential loads it will experience in flight. This team analyzes the structural integrity of the aircraft using and methodological combination FEA analysis and hand calculations, enabling them to iterate quickly with a high-level of confidence. With multiple vehicles undergoing very different flight profiles and loadings, optimizing the structure to account for all possible scenarios is incredibly important.
The Composites and Manufacturing team is in charge of laying up the composites that make up the skin of GTSC's vehicles. Through complex mold creation methods and composites engineering, the team is able to create streamlined shapes that withhold their structural integrity while maintaining an aerodynamic, streamlined shape. Furthermore, they manufacture and assemble the final vehicle in its fully integrated form.