From Event: SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, 2019
Bistable composites are attractive for morphing structures because they can hold deformed shapes without actuation and can be driven by compact, embedded smart actuators such as piezoelectric laminae and shape memory alloys. Mechanically-prestressed bistable composites exhibit weakly-coupled cylindrical shapes when their prestressed laminae are orthogonal to each other. High-order analytical models have been developed to model the stability and actuation of mechanically-prestressed composites with two sources of residual stress. Based on these models, this paper presents a study on the effect of planform shape on shape-bifurcation phenomena in bistable plates. A high-order analytical model is presented and the shapes of composites with linearly-tapered planform are calculated. Model-based parametric studies are presented to calculate the sensitivity of stable shapes and actuation forces to variations in planform taper, spatial positions of the prestressed layers, and aspect ratio. The results guide the selection of geometric parameters for the design of bistable composites.
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Venkata Siva C. Chillara and Marcelo J. Dapino, "Tailored bistability in mechanically pre-stressed laminated composites through planform design," Proc. SPIE 10968, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials XIII, 1096811 (Presented at SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation: March 06, 2019; Published: 29 March 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2514331.