Strain-based Topology Optimization of a 2D Morphing Transitional Surface

Morphing aircraft offer many benefits. However, the design of stiff yet flexible structures still provides many obstacles to fully exploring and realizing morphing structures. Due to this, many morphing challenges remain open. Topology optimization is a type of structural optimization that optimizes the material layout of a structure based on imposed boundary conditions and load paths. This type of optimization is promising for solving morphing design challenges but many of the optimized structures are not suited for traditional manufacturing and material arrangements. Multi-material additive manufacturing is an emerging technology that can produce a single structure with many different materials integrated in custom geometries. This could be the solution to realizing topology optimized structures. Despite the rich amount of current research in morphing aircraft, many challenges still remain open and topology of morphing structures could provide the solution to these morphing challenges.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Aerospace and Ocean Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2018

Author dc:creator

• Parsons, Shawn M.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Philen, Michael K.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Tarazaga, Pablo Alberto
• Raj, Pradeep
• Canfield, Robert A.

• Topology
• structures
• morphing aircraft

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:16036

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/83961