Posted by: Paul Goodwin on March 24, 2005 at 21:44:32:
In Reply to: Re: Uni-glass sideboard reenforcement posted by Bob on March 24, 2005 at 17:55:45:
Bob,
I certainly meant no offence, and I don't want to stifle
anyones input on the bulletin board. Quite the contrary,
I think that's is part of the beauty of this board, we get
lots of people's opinions on any given subject.
There is no doubt that through the years glass cloth has
been used as a reinforcement by laminating between layers
of wood for side panels. That is the reason there is
an Interpretation specifically allowing this (A.Fuselage -
9/23/82). However, over the years I think our knowledge
of hull construction has improved, and this is one area
(side board splitting) where there has been considerable
progress in advancing the art.
I wish Jan was able to chime in here and give his current
views, since it was his last hull design which led the
way to good engineering to counter the side splitting
problem. The last set of Gougeon plans had a tension
strap from side to side at the top of the hull behind
the seatback, and aircraft plywood reinforcement on
the inside of the side panels near the plank.