Corrugated composite structures for aircraft morphing skin applications

C. Thill, J. A. Etches, I. P. Bond, K. D. Potter, P. M. Weaver

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

Abstract

A morphing skin for an aircraft wing application needs to combine at least two inherently different properties: in-plane and out-of-plane compliance in the chordwise direction to allow for shape changes and increases in surface area; and stiffness in the spanwise direction to carry aerodynamic and inertial loads. A potential solution could be to develop extremely anisotropic structures such as a corrugated composite laminates. This study has undertaken tensile and flexural experimental testing on various corrugated laminate designs both longitudinal and transverse to the corrugations. The corrugated specimens were made using a variety of woven fibre/epoxy prepreg materials (aramid, glass and carbon) and parameters such as number of plies and corrugation pitch were investigated. The aim was to investigate the effects of constituent material and corrugation geometry on the overall mechanical properties of the structure. The results give an initial indication of the viability and prospects for such designs in morphing skin applications and highlight some critical factors affecting their performance.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCarleton University - 18th International Conference on Adaptive Structures and Technologies, ICAST 2007
Pages210-223
Number of pages14
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
Event18th International Conference on Adaptive Structures and Technologies, ICAST 2007 - Ottawa, ON, Canada
Duration: 3 Oct 20075 Oct 2007

Publication series

NameCarleton University - 18th International Conference on Adaptive Structures and Technologies, ICAST 2007

Conference

Conference18th International Conference on Adaptive Structures and Technologies, ICAST 2007
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityOttawa, ON
Period3/10/075/10/07

Keywords

  • Composite
  • Corrugated structure
  • Morphing skin

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