On the use of tow-steered composites for aeroelastic tailoring

A simple rectangular unswept wing mathematical model has been used for a fundamental investigation into the possibility of using tow steered composites to tailor the aeroelastic behaviour of composite wings. A Rayleigh-Ritz type approach is used for the structural modelling, combined with modified strip theory aerodynamics, in order to determine the aeroelastic behaviour. Symmetric lay-ups have been considered where the outer fibres are allowed to vary in orientation along the wing span, and the effects on free vibration, flexural axis, flutter and divergence speeds, and gust loads are investigated. It was found that it is possible to influence the aeroelastic behaviour in both a beneficial and detrimental manner using tow steering. By increasing the design space, tow steered laminates allow improved designs compared to traditional unidirectional composite laminates.