We are used to seeing square and rectangular windows in most building structures, and although of course there are rounded windows, or “oculi” in architectural parlance, have you ever wondered… airplane windows are always round?
How strange would it be to walk down the aisle of an airplane next to a square window? Maybe a few years ago not so much, as square windows were the norm on early commercial aircraft, but this quickly changed and of course, it has an explanation.
Unfortunately, it took some tragic events for engineers to analyze and change the design of airplane windows for round ones, this in the decade of 1689.
Accidents in airplanes with square windows
In those years commercial airplanes began to be manufactured much larger, but they also began to disintegrate in the air. The most famous cases was the De Havilland Comet, which fell apart in mid-flight in separate events in 1953 and then another, practically with the same design, in 1954. It was later discovered that the cause of the accidents was precisely the square windows.
Engineers determined that the sharp edges of square aircraft windows created natural weak spots that caused “metal fatigue failure.” These corners were easily stressed and then further weakened by high-altitude air pressure.
In the 1990s 36, planes like the de Havilland Comet flew faster and higher than industry predecessors, meaning that after multiple flights and repeated pressurization, the square windows basically shattered from the pressure.
Round windows on airplanes
Round windows, on the other hand, are able to distribute pressure evenly because they do not have corners where stress is concentrated, which reduces the probability of cracks or breakage.
Circular shapes are also stronger and resist deformation, making them better able to withstand repeated pressure differences between the interior and exterior of the aircraft.
In addition, you may also notice that there are multiple layers of acrylic (not glass) between you and the exterior of the aircraft. Those layers offer additional protection against weather phenomena such as rain, wind and fog.
Any Have you ever noticed a small hole in the bottom? They’re called “bleed holes” and they add another layer of protection, helping to keep the air pressure on board at a relatively constant level by allowing air to pass through. the different layers of the windows.
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