Modelling and configuration control of wing-shaped bi-stable piezoelectric composites under aerodynamic loads

• Published in: Aerospace science and technology Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 453 - 461
• Main Authors: Arrieta, Andres F., Bilgen, Onur, Friswell, Michael I., Ermanni, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Issy-les-Moulineaux Elsevier Masson SAS 01.08.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aerodynamic loads; Approximation; Bi-stable wing; Buckling; Dynamic response; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Mathematical analysis; Modelling; Morphing; Physics; Piezoelectricity; Snap-through; Solid mechanics; Static elasticity (thermoelasticity...); Strategy; Structural and continuum mechanics; Unsymmetric composite; Vibration, mechanical wave, dynamic stability (aeroelasticity, vibration control...); Unsymmetric composite; Morphing; Bi-stable wing; Snap-through; Energy consumption; Wing; Variable geometry; Vibration; Modal analysis; Wind tunnel test; Aerodynamic force; Experimental study; Modeling; Composite material; Cantilever beam; Bistability; Piezoelectric materials; Buckling
• ISSN: 1270-9638; 1626-3219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ast.2013.05.004

Bi-stable composites have been considered for morphing applications thanks to their ability to hold two statically stable shapes with no energy consumption. In this paper, the modelling of the dynamic response of cantilevered wing-shaped bi-stable composites is presented. To this end, an analytical model approximating the dynamic response about each statically stable shape of wing-shaped bi-stable composites is derived. Theoretical modal properties are obtained to attain or stabilise a desired configuration following a previously introduced resonant control strategy. The resonant control technique is evaluated for a wing-shaped bi-stable composite subject to aerodynamic loads. Wind tunnel experiments are conducted on a wing-shaped specimen showing the ability of the control strategy to stabilise or attain a desired stable shape under aerodynamic loads.