Monolithic Morphing Rib With Selective Stiffness From Embeddable Bi-Stable Elements

A trade-off exists in compliant morphing structures between weight, adaptability, and load-carrying capacity. A truss-like structure utilizing a selectively stiff, bi-stable element is proposed to provide a solution to this problem. The design space of the element is explored in a parameter study using a finite element model. The element is embedded in a rib to correlate its behavior to that of the element in isolation. Finally, an aeroelastic analysis is conducted on the rib to determine the response of the structure to aerodynamic loading.