COMPUTATIONAL METHODS FOR DESIGN OF SMART MATERIAL MORPHING STRUCTURES WITH LOCALIZED ACTIVATION AND ACTUATION

摘要: There is significant ongoing interest to develop smart structure technologies, such as those that can automatically detect their condition and/or actively change geometry or material behaviors adapt adverse conditions otherwise improve operational efficiency. Of the structural materials under development for applications, active are attracting increasing attentions due abilities exhibit controlled variable stiffness through activation (e.g., thermal, electrical, light activation) and experience extremely large deformations shape changes without damage. Active materials, memory polymers, currently being explored show promise morphing skins, replacements mechanical hinges, other components. Moreover, in a general sense any component fully composed of could have limitless shape-changing functionality if provided sufficient actuation. Towards design control structures utilize functionality, it paramount importance strategies efficiently solve coupled multi-physics inverse problems identifying optimal stimulus actuation achieve desired processes. The objective present work investigate computational strategy computationally efficient estimation parameters relating distribution sequencing effectively function. This combines numerical representation process with an optimization algorithm estimate best address cost functions constraints energy consumption, target change(s), time, damage prevention. In particular, presented context components thermally responsive specific properties based on polymers. First, proof concept, initial framework which linear thermo-mechanical behavior conceptual non-gradient technique identify process. The mechanics approach shown tests provide generalized flexible means facilitate use processes controllable localized improving efficiency, variation gradient-based using adjoint method then presented. Numerical examples verify test approach, synchronization multiple optimized respect skeletal capability capabilities. be capable determining energy-efficient solutions diverse set fixed instrumentation, providing potential substantial beyond what expected traditional empirical strategies. Finally, establish theories implementation aspects would applicable variety behaviors, types concepts, various thermally-responsive materials. framework, nonlinear (rather than purely considered previously). addition, influence nonlinearity thermal modeling processes, ultimately explored.