Effects of shape memory alloy elements on the behavior of aeroelastic systems and adaptive metamaterials

Abstract

The literature on aeroelasticity includes studies on the use of smart materials as sensors, actuators, as well as their combined applications for vibration control and damping, and most recently, for energy harvesting. Although different smart materials are available, shape memory alloys have received growing attention in aerospace applications. The hysteretic response of shape memory alloys exhibiting pseudoelasticity provides energy dissipating and damping capabilities for these materials and, therefore, the effectiveness of the pseudoelastic behavior of shape memory alloys has been investigated for passive structural vibration control. Its effects on improving the aeroelastic behavior of lifting surfaces have been recently reported in a paper provided by the proponent research group. In another recent paper, the same authors present a novel wind energy harvesting airfoil section that combines the use of pseudoelastic behavior of shape memory alloys and piezoelectricity. Although these topics have been covered in the doctorate work of the candidate (Vagner C. Sousa), there are additional important effects of shape memory alloys on the behavior of aeroelastic systems to be investigated, as will be discussed along this proposal. The conclusions from the doctorate work of the candidate together with the additional topics to be investigated as part of the present proposal can also lead to the development of new metamaterials. The goal is to obtain metamaterials with tunable and adaptive properties (one of the challenges for the development of next generation structures with adaptive and self-regulating dispersion properties) through the use of nonlinear shape memory alloy resonators. Additionally, the possibility of enhanced adaptive properties of metamaterials by harnessing fluid-structure interactions will be also investigated.