Lightweight structure particularly for an aircraft

摘要

An outer skin, for example of an aircraft body, is supported by a frame of longitudinal girders and circumferential ribs interconnecting the girders. Additionally, the outer skin is strengthened by reinforcing strips adhesively bonded to the outer skin between the ribs and girders. The reinforcing strips are made of material that is damage tolerant, for example high strength aluminum alloys and fiber composite materials are suitable for making the reinforcing strips. These reinforcing strips may extend in parallel to the stringers and/or the ribs and preferably form a lattice work. The reinforcing strips need not cross each other at right angles but should cross a crack propagation direction in the outer skin.