Abstract
In this study, we propose a concept of self-thickness-growing panel using shape memory polymer (SMP) as actuators for light-weight structures. The panel as a sandwich structure is made of two facing SMP plates extended using the shape fixation effect, and one elastic thin-plate put inside and attached to the SMP plates at a ruled interval. When the temperature of SMP becomes above its glass transition temperature, the SMP's elastic modulus drastically reduces, but embedded recovery force causes a buckling deformation of the elastic thin-plate, increasing panel's thickness. This paper reports the results of concept verification through experiments and numerical calculations. The effect of secondary-shape forming, which is one of the structural characteristics of SMP, is also discussed for concept's viability.
