Airliner Cross Section

[Donatello]

In the more recently designed airplane wings - such as that for Airbus 380, Airbus 320 Neo, Airbus 350 XWB, Boeing 747-8, Boeing 787, Boeing 737 Max, the non-load-bearing sections of the wings (upper skin) is made entirely of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Resin Plastic sheets. These sheets are affixed to the Aluminum Alloy SPARs, RIBs and STRINGERs. An ultralight wing is shown below with a CFRP Frontal, mid and rear stringer tubes (black) epoxy resin-glued to RIBs made from aluminum alloy sheets and tubes (yellow). The epoxy resin is the dark gray colored goop.
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Yup, that is why i mentioned wings specifically. I was watching a documentary on this, was awed at how strong this adhesive was, that too while holding two dissimilar materials together.

I take solace in knowing that a circle/sphere is a very resistant shape to crush damage and punctures. still that is quite a harrowing picture and shows just how much faith we put in the engineers and manufacturers of these systems. On a slightly related note, i feel bad for the people stuck in the window seats. The overhead clearance looks tiny in the picture.

This is from the Airbus A300 fuselage. The only noticeably bigger head room is in 777/A380/747-8 etc but that is also due to the newer, refined overhead bin design.

nonetheless, i always prefer window seats. Great view and the fact i can sleep well, resting my head on side wall. Can't do that in A380 as the side wall is bit further away.

 

[Bilal9]

I take solace in knowing that a circle/sphere is a very resistant shape to crush damage and punctures. still that is quite a harrowing picture and shows just how much faith we put in the engineers and manufacturers of these systems. On a slightly related note, i feel bad for the people stuck in the window seats. The overhead clearance looks tiny in the picture.

Well you have to add the pressurization factor. Aircraft are pressurized to a height equivalence of 10,000 feet which basically means its like a humongous can of coke. Coke cans have pretty thin aluminum walls too but have a lot of shape integrity because the contents are under pressure.