ESDU TM 168:2012

ESDU TM 168 contains analysis which provides the derivation and
substantiation of equations given in ESDU 76003 for the geometric
properties of straight-tapered and multi-panel wings.

Firstly, this Technical Memorandum presents derivations from
first principles of the basic definitions for the geometric (or
standard) mean chord and aerodynamic mean chord of the wing.

Next, for a straight-tapered trapezoidal wing, determinations of
the length of the aerodynamic mean chord and of the longitudinal
position of its leading edge are provided. Also, an expression for
the longitudinal position of any fraction of the aerodynamic mean
chord is determined.

Investigations then establish, for a straight-tapered
trapezoidal wing, the relationships between the aerodynamic mean
chord and the chord at the centroid location, with respect to their
lengths and longitudinal locations.

Finally, equations are provided to determine the geometric
properties of a multi-panel wing by consideration of the geometry
of the individual panels. The calculation procedures are also
tabulated as assistance to the user in the computation of
multi-panel wing planform geometry and a worked example illustrates
the use of these tables.