Topology optimization of an airflow-cooperative compliant morphing airfoils based on static aeroelasticity

Abstract

Compliant morphing airfoils improve aerodynamic performance by actively elastic deforming its airfoil shape during flight. In our previous studies, the internal structure was obtained by topology optimization to deform the external shape of the airfoil to a predefined target shape that provides the desired aerodynamic performance. There, however, the problem was that it was not known in advance whether or not a given shape could be obtained, and deformation during flight could not be reproduced. To solve these problems, this study aims to propose a novel optimal design method for compliant morphing airfoils, based on static aeroelastic deformation, to simultaneously find the superior deformation shape and internal deformation mechanism from both aerodynamic and structural perspectives. This method does not require a pre-defined aerodynamic shape. This paper briefly describes the formulation of a multiobjective topology optimal design problem considering both aerodynamic and structural performance based on a coupled aerostructural analysis that combines an aerodynamic panel method with a structural finite element method. Through numerical examples, In our presentation, we will discuss the possibility that the compliant morphing airfoil, which is obtained by the proposed design method, could take advantage of passive deformation caused by airflow.