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The term semi-monocoque or semimonocoque refers to a stressed shell structure that is similar to a true
The British
The term semi-monocoque or semimonocoque refers to a stressed shell structure that is similar to a true monocoque
Monocoque ( ), also called structural skin, is a structural system in which loads are supported by an object's external skin, in a manner similar to an egg shell. The word ''monocoque'' is a French term for "single shell".
First used for boats, ...
, but which derives at least some of its strength from conventional reinforcement. Semi-monocoque construction is used for, among other things, aircraft fuselages, car bodies and motorcycle frames.
Examples of semi-monocoque vehicles
Semi-monocoque aircraft fuselages differ from truemonocoque
Monocoque ( ), also called structural skin, is a structural system in which loads are supported by an object's external skin, in a manner similar to an egg shell. The word ''monocoque'' is a French term for "single shell".
First used for boats, ...
construction through being reinforced with longitudinal stringers. The Mooney range of four seat aircraft, for instance, use a steel tube truss frame around the passenger compartment with monocoque behind.
The British ARV Super2
The ARV Super2 (''Air Recreational Vehicle'') is a British two-seat light aircraft with strut-braced shoulder wings and tricycle landing gear. Designed by Bruce Giddings, the Super2 was available either factory-built or as a kit. It was ...
light aircraft has a fuselage constructed mainly of aluminium
Aluminium (aluminum in AmE, American and CanE, Canadian English) is a chemical element with the Symbol (chemistry), symbol Al and atomic number 13. Aluminium has a density lower than those of other common metals, at approximately o ...
alloy, but with some fibreglass
Fiberglass (American English) or fibreglass (Commonwealth English) is a common type of fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fiber. The fibers may be randomly arranged, flattened into a sheet called a chopped strand mat, or woven into glass clot ...
elements. The cockpit is a stiff monocoque
Monocoque ( ), also called structural skin, is a structural system in which loads are supported by an object's external skin, in a manner similar to an egg shell. The word ''monocoque'' is a French term for "single shell".
First used for boats, ...
of "Supral" alloy, but aft of the cockpit bulkhead, the ARV is conventionally built, with frames, longerons and stressed skin forming a semi-monocoque."Pilot" magazine, June 1985 pages 5-6
Peter Williams' 1973 Formula 750 TT-winning John Player Norton racer was an early example of a semi-monocoque motorcycle.
See also
*Monocoque
Monocoque ( ), also called structural skin, is a structural system in which loads are supported by an object's external skin, in a manner similar to an egg shell. The word ''monocoque'' is a French term for "single shell".
First used for boats, ...
* Stressed skin
References
{{Reflist Structural engineering Aircraft components