Experimental and Numerical Investigation for Structural Design of a Rocket Launcher Boom

The Structural design of rocket launcher booms is critical in aerospace engineering , requiring a careful balance between strength, weight, and durability. This study focuses on design optimization of rocket launcher booms by analyzing various cross-sectional geometries. Cross-sections investigated include Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS), I-beams, and their tapered variants. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is employed to simulate and evaluate the performance of each cross-sectional design. Experimental validation was conducted by testing four different beam types and monitoring stress and deformation for each design. Experimental data were found to be closely aligned with simulation results. Moreover, the results proved that tapered I-beams provide the best design considering low weight, high strength, and minimal deflection, outperforming traditional RHS and standard I-beams. The primary goal is to identify the most efficient configuration that minimizes weight while maximizing stress resistance and reducing deformation under static and dynamic loading conditions. This significant performance of tapered I-beams demonstrates its selection as the best choice for advanced rocket launcher systems. This research significantly contributes to developing more efficient and reliable rocket launcher booms, advancing aerospace technology. This study provides critical insights for the future design and optimization of rocket launcher systems, ensuring improved performance, efficiency, and safety in aerospace applications.