Integral Construction A Survey and an Experiment

Abstract

Carving from the solid is a manufacturing process dating back many thousands of years. Thomas Moore in his sculpture “Recumbent Figure” (Fig. 1) has instanced an example to aircraft engineers of integral construction and, has even gone to the trouble of providing discreet lightening holes.Art throughout the ages has always looked to the future and while we are still busily applauding Shakespeare and Beethoven we are often left wondering with Moore and Walton.Aircraft engineering is very much an art but Moore takes his integral construction for granted while aircraft designers are only just beginning to wonder.