Bending analysis of a new deformable sandwich structure

In this paper, an innovative flexible sandwich structure is introduced which can be used in shape changing (morphing) aircrafts that adapt their external shape to different flight conditions. First, different ideas for achieving smart aircraft in the literature is briefly reviewed and then characteristics of the new deformable sandwich structure as well as its different features in comparison to other proposed structures are described. Moreover, fabrication details of deformable and load bearable sandwich panel are explained. In an aircraft with variable camber wings, deformable sections can be supposed as a cantilever beam. As a result some specimens of new deformable sandwich structure are constructed and then tested as end-loaded beams. Since the numerical study of the new proposed structure requires an understanding of the mechanical behavior of components used, a comprehensive study about the mechanical behavior of individual components of structure is conducted. According to the observation of broken samples, a distribution of cavities resulting from the manufacturing process is supposed in one type of model to obtain more accurate numerical results. Finally, another example is analyzed with the same assumptions and it is shown that in the second example, the numerical results are close to the experimental data.