Patent ID: 6213426
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
A load-bearing structure for forming a portion of a boundary on which fluid pressure is exerted, the structure having redundant load paths and comprising:a first web having opposite surfaces and an outer periphery;a first outer attachment structure attached to the outer periphery of the first web;a redundant second web having opposite surfaces and an outer periphery, the first and second webs being spaced apart with one of said surfaces of the first web opposing one of said surfaces of the second web;a second outer attachment structure attached to the outer periphery of the second web; andstiffeners disposed between the first and second webs and attached to the opposing surfaces thereof,the stiffeners being fabricated with at least one of the webs and the attachment structure associated therewith as a monolithic part;the first and second outer attachment structures being adapted to affix the load-bearing structure to a further structure of said boundary, whereby the load-bearing structure defines multiple load paths from the webs to said further structure.