Experimental Identification of Structural Dynamics and Aeroelastic Properties of a Self-sensing Smart Composite Wing

F. KOPSAFTOPOULOS, R. NARDARI, Y.-H. LI, P. WANG, B. YE, F.-K. CHANG

Abstract


Self-sensing intelligent composite materials with state-sensing and awareness capabilities constitute the future of aerospace structures. The objective of this work is to develop technologies that will lead to the next generation of intelligent aerospace structures that can sense the environmental conditions and structural state, effectively interpret the sensing data to achieve real-time state awareness, and employ appropriate self-diagnostics under varying operational environments. In this paper, the design, integration, and experimental identification of the structural dynamics and aeroelastic properties are presented for an intelligent composite UAV wing. Bio-inspired stretchable sensor networks, including integrated piezoelectric, strain, and temperature sensors are monolithically embedded in the composite layup to provide the sensing capabilities. Stochastic signal processing and identification techniques are employed in order to accurately interpret the sensing. The experimental evaluation and assessment is demonstrated via a series of wind tunnel experiment under varying angles of attack and airflow velocities for the identification of the coupled airflowstructural dynamics and strain distribution. The obtained results demonstrate the successful integration of the micro-fabricated stretchable sensor networks with the composite wing, as well as the effectiveness of the stochastic data interpretation approaches. This study constitutes a significant step in proving the integration potential of the approach for the next generation of fly-by-feel UAVs.

doi: 10.12783/SHM2015/163


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