| abstract |
A method of manufacturing a rib-stiffened shell for a structure, wherein the rib-stiffened shell comprises an outer skin supported by a plurality of fiber ribs, the fiber ribs comprising thickened strips of substantially unidirectional fiber, and wherein the fiber ribs comprise a crisscrossing pattern that includes a plurality of junctions, the junctions comprising an intersection of two or more of the fiber ribs, the method comprising the steps of: configuring a convex mold, the shape of which corresponds to the contour of the outer skin of the structure; configuring a plurality of grooves in the convex surface of the convex mold that correspond to the pattern of the fiber ribs; laying up unidirectional fiber in the grooves of the convex mold; and applying the outer skin over the convex surface of the convex mold. |