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Question
I know that lift is related to the area of the wing, so does this mean that two wings just above (say half a foot above) would produce the same lift as one single wing with the same total area? For example (as in the attached picture), if a wing had the same total area, but was divided in two, would the lift change given identical other conditions?
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Two wings far apart would produce approximately the same lift as a single wing with the same total area. But as the two wings are brought together, they interfere with each other. That is - the flow field of one creates a negative effect on the flow field of the other. Two wings (aspect ratio 6) separated vertically by one chord will produce roughly only 20% more lift than a single wing of the same total area. Two wings even closer together would have even less total lift. In the limit, if the wings were touching it would be like a single wing with a very odd shape.
Biplanes were developed in the early days because of the strength inherent in a box structure. Good mono structure wings were not developed yet. The biplane also has high drag because of the guy wires, mutual interference, and low aspect ratios. A wing with low aspect ratio has more drag than a wing with high aspect ratio as seen in modern gliders.
Paul
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Aeronautical Engineering
Answers by Expert:
Paul Soderman
Expertise
Aeronautics, Fluid Mechanics, Aeroacoustics, Noise Control, Muffler Design, Wind Tunnel Research.... I know nothing about India - do not ask about schools, jobs, application requirements, career choices, etc. for India. Please, no text message verbiage; I prefer full words in full sentences. Thanks.
Experience
38 years as research engineer at NASA
Publications
AIAA, NASA
Education/Credentials
B.S. and M.S. Aeronautical Engineering - U. of Washington
Graduate work Standford U.
Awards and Honors
AIAA Associate Fellow (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
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