What components of a semi-monocoque fuselage help prevent bending?

The components that help prevent bending in a semi-monocoque fuselage are the longerons and stringers. Longerons are the main structural members that run longitudinally along the fuselage, providing significant strength and stiffness to resist bending forces. They act as the primary load-carrying elements, helping the fuselage maintain its shape under various stresses during flight.

Stringers, on the other hand, run perpendicular to the longerons and are attached to the skin of the fuselage. They help distribute loads across the surface and add additional stiffness to the overall structure. By working together, longerons and stringers create a robust framework that supports the skin of the fuselage, which bears aerodynamic and other loads, thus reducing the likelihood of bending or deformation.

This combination is essential for maintaining the integrity of the fuselage during operation, ensuring it can withstand the forces encountered in flight while preserving the aerodynamic shape necessary for performance.