Wing curvature in flight

[JammedStab]

Flying on a 777 the other day, I noticed how much the wings curve upward toward the tip. Does the ammount of curvature vary with certain things such as amount of fuel or weight in the fuselage, etc?

[Intruder]

Yes. The curvature is proportional to the weight being borne by the wings.

Next time you have a window seat that allows a view of the wing tip, set your head against the sidewall so it is stable during the takeoff roll. Watch how much the wingtips rise as lift is generated during the roll, and how much more they rise at rotation when the entire weight of the airplane is transferred to them.

[SNS3Guppy]

Wing curvature or bending is proportional to wing bending moment, not the weight being carried. Wing bending moment is a function of weight distribution. Two aircraft weighing the same can have considerably different wing bending moments due to fuel distribution, load factor, and in the case of some aircraft, configuration.

Not just the amount of fuel, but where it's located in the wing.

[CiFIcare]

Fuel in centre tanks generally used first to reduce wing bending moment.


On another note....check out the B52 wing tips on a take off roll!

[The Flying Pram]

Or find a video of Burt Rutan's "Voyager" round the world aircraft taking off.