Hall Bulldog Strut Fitting FEA Analysis - August 2021
Part of The Hall Bulldog Project — documenting Bob Hall's 1932 Thompson Trophy racer.
Explore the Project →This engineering update from Kevin Kimball documents the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) work performed on the Hall Bulldog wing strut fittings. FEA is a computational method used to predict how components will behave under various load conditions, identifying stress concentrations and ensuring adequate safety margins.
Wing Strut Fitting Analysis
The wing strut fittings are critical structural components that transfer loads between the wing struts and the wing spars. These fittings must withstand significant forces during flight, including lift loads, drag loads, and dynamic forces during maneuvering.
Front Strut Fitting FEA Results
The FEA images show stress distribution through the front strut fittings under load. Areas of higher stress are indicated by color gradients, allowing engineers to identify potential weak points and optimize the design.
Front Forward Strut Fitting Analysis
Wing Spar and Aileron Linkage Progress
In addition to the FEA work, Kevin continued development of the wing spars and aileron linkage:
Engineering Approach
Modern FEA tools allow designers to validate structural concepts before committing to physical construction. For the Hall Bulldog replica, this approach ensures that critical components will meet or exceed the strength requirements while avoiding unnecessary weight. The analysis helps optimize material selection, wall thicknesses, and fitting geometry to achieve the best balance of strength, weight, and manufacturability.
About Kevin Kimball
Kevin Kimball of JKE Works brings modern engineering analysis techniques to the Hall Bulldog replica project, combining his experience with vintage aircraft construction and contemporary CAD/FEA tools to create a structurally sound reproduction.
