Optimal Cellular Core Topologies for One-Dimensional Morphing Aircraft Structures

Unlike a conventional aircraft’s wing, a morphing aircraft’s wing could undergo large deformations in order to fly efficiently. This requires a wing’s skin meeting conflicting requirements such as large deformation capability to allow morphing of the underlying structure and high flexural stiffness to maintain the airfoil shape. In this paper, the design of composite skins with a cellular core is considered for the particular case of one-dimensional morphing. Cellular core topologies are calculated using a multi-objective genetic algorithm coupled with a local search optimizer. Morphological filtering is used to remove small features in the topology. As a multi-objective problem, no single solution emerges as the clear best solution because of conflicting objectives. However, the solutions found help guide the design of cellular-based morphing skins. A design is selected from the set of solutions obtained, and a cellular core under combined in-plane morphing and out-of-plane loading is examined with respect to the local stresses, the energy of deformation and the core’s out-of-plane deformation to validate the approach used.