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Published March 2010 | public
Journal Article

Composite chiral structures for morphing airfoils: Numerical analyses and development of a manufacturing process

Abstract

This paper investigates complex composite cellular structures featuring a chiral topology with the ability to undergo large overall displacements with limited straining of its components. Numerical analyses are performed to exploit such properties in the design of a morphing airfoil. The advantages associated with the use of composites are investigated by comparing the numerical results with those obtained with a metallic structure. A manufacturing process is then developed to assemble the considered structural configurations using composite materials. The novel process developed is described as applied to the manufacturing of macro chiral components that are tested to evaluate their ability to undergo large deformations. Finally, detailed numerical models of the manufactured structures are presented as a possible approach to evaluate the strength of the proposed configuration.

Additional Information

© 2009 Elsevier Ltd. Received 12 March 2009; revised 22 September 2009; accepted 29 September 2009. Available online 20 October 2009. This work is the result of a collaboration initiated by a visit of M. Ruzzene and A. Spadoni to the Dipartimento of Ingegneria Aerospaziale of Politecnico di Milano. The visit was partially supported by the project "Progetto Trasporto Aereo Regionale nel 2030" funded by Regione Lombardia. The activity at Politecnico di Milano was partially supported by FIRB project RBIP06AWF9 founded by Italian Ministry of Research.

Additional details

Created:
August 21, 2023
Modified:
October 20, 2023