Applying Macro Fiber Composite Patches to Morph Complex Aircraft Structure

B. Tran, P. G. Ifju, M. M. Mennu, A. Brenes, S. Shbalko

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

An investigation to observe the morphing capabilities of actuated macro fiber composite patches on multi-curved aircraft surfaces was conducted. Inattentive positioning of these patches can reduce desired surface deflection and mitigate aerodynamic performance. An initial study was performed on a 2-D fiber reinforced airfoil to observe the morphology of the cross-section when macro fiber composite patches were actuated in different chordwise positions. This was achieved through iterative finite element analysis using a thermal expansion method analogous to piezoelectric effects. The study was adapted to a complex 3-D wing surface where positioning and fiber orientation were considered. The kinematic performance was evidently affected for multi-curved versus more curvy-linear structures, where reduced surface curvature was favorable for more trailing edge deflection. In addition, effects of non-linearity of piezoceramic composites were observed in tandem on these complex surfaces using digital image correlation. Hysteresis and creep effects by virtue displayed kinematic behavior as a function of time and structural geometry. For a multi-curved wing, the residual strain due to hysteresis and creep were less apparent than for a reduced multi-curved surface.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMechanics of Composite, Hybrid and Multifunctional Materials - Proceedings of the 2020 Annual Conference on Experimental and Applied Mechanics
EditorsRaman P. Singh, Vijay Chalivendra
PublisherSpringer
Pages99-106
Number of pages8
ISBN (Print)9783030598679
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes
EventSEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, 2020 - Orlando, United States
Duration: Sep 14 2020Sep 17 2020

Publication series

NameConference Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Mechanics Series
ISSN (Print)2191-5644
ISSN (Electronic)2191-5652

Conference

ConferenceSEM Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period09/14/2009/17/20

Funding

The authors would like to thank the STTR program under the Air Force Office of Scientific Research for the funding.

FundersFunder number
Air Force Office of Scientific Research

    Keywords

    • Digital image correlation
    • Finite element method
    • Macro fiber composite
    • Multicurve structure

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