Morphing Composite Structures for Adaptive High Lift Devices

The work presents a design study for an aeronautical flap capable of smooth and progressive shape variations. Optimal configurations for takeoff and landing are taken from literature to define a reference design case and the corresponding loading conditions. An extraction mechanism to set the flap in optimal position is identified. Then, a morphing composite structure is devised to smoothly and progressively change the shape of the high lift device to enhance the functions and the versatility of such aerodynamic surface. An internal structure based on chiral auxetic cellular topology and a skin system supported by a corrugated composite panel are proposed. The technological processes for manufacturing such components are presented and discussed. A parameterized finite element model of the morphing flap is developed and structural analyses are carried out to investigate the feasibility of the morphing concept.