Investigation on aeroelasticity of morphing wing through dynamic response and virtual structural damping

Abstract

This study employs a high-fidelity numerical approach to simulate fluid–structure interaction phenomena for the dynamic response of flexible hyperelastic morphing wing structures under low aerodynamic loads. The computations are performed using the open-source solids4Foam toolbox, employing a partitioned two-way fluid–structure interaction approach with a finite volume solver for both fluid and solid. The considered morphing wing is divided into a flexible and a rigid segment, with the flexible segment featuring a 60% chord length and being made of a hyperelastic rubber-like material. The concept of damping is incorporated into the solid momentum balance equation as a virtual force that opposes the velocity of the structure. Damping is employed to disperse energy from the system, hence mitigating the oscillations and reducing computational time. To understand morphing wing aerodynamics and aeroelasticity behavior, a series of tests are conducted at low and medium Reynolds numbers, specifically 2×105 and 5×105. The results show that, for low Reynolds number, the morphing structure has a negligible impact on aerodynamic behavior. However, at higher Reynolds numbers, morphing results in improved aerodynamic efficiency at low angles of attack. Overall, the study highlights the aero-structural behavior of hyperelastic morphing wings and their potential for developing efficient and adaptive wing structures, highlighting their promise for future aircraft design innovations.