Extensive research is being devoted to the analysis and application of cellular solids for the design of structural components with superior mechanical properties and multifunctional characteristics. The chiral geometry in particular is an innovative configuration which features an in-plane negative Poisson's ratio which leads to a very high shear modulus, while maintaining some degree of compliance. This unique mechanical behavior can be exploited for the design of sandwich structures with a core composed of a macroscopic chiral truss, laid out across the thickness. This concept, also denoted as "truss-core", is applied for the design of two-dimensional airfoils with both static and dynamic morphing capabilities. A coupled-physics model, comprising simultaneous CFD and elastic analyses, is developed to investigate the influence of the chiral core on the aerodynamic behavior of an airfoil. The model, in particular, predicts the static deflection of the airfoil as a result of given flow conditions. The morphing capabilities of the airfoil, here quantified as camber changes, are evaluated for various design configurations of the core.
展开▼
