monocoque
Load-bearing outer shell
Monocoque is a structural design in which the outer skin bears the load, rather than an internal frame.
The term comes from French for "single shell." Aircraft fuselages, racing cars, and some boats use monocoque construction, where the shell itself provides strength and rigidity: The monocoque chassis saved weight while maintaining structural integrity.
The design contrasts with frame-based construction, where an internal skeleton supports a non-structural skin.
Aircraft's central structure
- airframeAircraft's structural body
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- gliderUnpowered flying craft
- cockpitPilot's control compartment
tailplane · wing · canard · ailerons · rudder · flaps · aviation · spacecraft
Made of distinct parts
- fiberglassReinforced woven strand composite
- aluminumElement thirteen
- honeycombWax matrix of hexagons
- laminateBond thin layers together
thermoset · thermoplastic · load-bearing · strength-to-weight · monolithic · molded · lightweight · stiffness
Structural support base
- unibodyIntegrated structural shell
- racingSpeed competition sport
- sedanEnclosed passenger car
- coupeTwo-door fixed-roof car
hatchback · SUV · aluminum · safety · strength · lightweight · strength-to-weight · engineering
Outer covering or frame
- kayakEnclosed single-person watercraft
- canoeSlender paddled vessel
- dinghySmall auxiliary watercraft
- yachtLarge pleasure vessel
submarine · boatbuilding · fiberglass · watertight · streamlined · buoyancy · corrosion-resistant · composite
fuselage
Aircraft's central structure
- airframeAircraft's structural body
- aircraftAirborne transportation vehicle
- gliderUnpowered flying craft
cockpit · tailplane · wing · canard · ailerons · rudder · flaps · aviation · spacecraft · aerodynamics
composite
Made of distinct parts
- fiberglassReinforced woven strand composite
- aluminumElement thirteen
- honeycombWax matrix of hexagons
laminate · thermoset · thermoplastic · load-bearing · strength-to-weight · monolithic · molded · lightweight · stiffness · reinforced
chassis
Structural support base
coupe · hatchback · SUV · aluminum · safety · strength · lightweight · strength-to-weight · engineering · manufacturing
hull
Outer covering or frame
yacht · submarine · boatbuilding · fiberglass · watertight · streamlined · buoyancy · corrosion-resistant · composite · laminate