Question

We can minimize the weight of the structural member by _________

(a) placing opposite forces near to each other

(b) placing opposite forces away from each other

(c) placing similar forces near to each other

(d) placing only upward forces near to each other

The question was posed to me in an international level competition.

I want to ask this question from Configuration Layout topic in portion Configuration Layout Considerations of Aircraft Design

Answer 1

Correct answer is (a) placing opposite forces near to each other

The best I can explain: To reduce the structural weight it is required that our design should have efficient load paths through which we can effectively connect opposing forces. For a typical aircraft, two common forces to be resolved are lift and force. Hence, by locating opposite forces near to each other we can improve structural considerations of our design.