Moth Wing Bars

I developed the geometry for a one-piece U-shaped front and rear wing-bar structure for the UoA Moth, working within the International Moth’s beam constraints, sailor loads, mounting interfaces and manufacturing requirements.

I investigated alternative cross-sectional geometries and structural configurations to balance stiffness, strength, weight and practical manufacture, and used structural analysis and Abaqus FEA to study the wing bars under defined load cases. Further refinement is still needed to resolve the modelling assumptions and validate the results.

Applying the findings from my Part IV hybrid composites research, I assessed potential carbon–basalt laminate arrangements for the caps, webs and curved transitions. Bringing the geometry and structural work together, I developed manufacturing recommendations covering laminate architecture, core integration, ply continuity, corner reinforcement and the validation required before manufacture.