INAE Innovative Student Projects Award

2018 at Master's Level

Morphing of Multistable Variable Stiffness Laminates using

MFC Actuators

Presented by:
Anilkumar P. M.
Former M.Tech Student, Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Objective of the research

 To identify suitable configurations for the morphing of variable stiffness
laminates using MFC actuators.
 To identify optimal location and size of MFC actuators.

Date: 17.08.2018 Structural Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Slide No: 1
 Morphing of Multistable Variable Stiffness
Laminates using MFC Actuators

Morphing
To calculate the snap through
voltages

• Analytical Studies
• Studies on square laminates
• Studies on rectangular
SMA: Alloys
VS representation laminates
Actuation SMP: Polymers
MFC actuators
• Numerical Studies (Abaqus)
• Studies on square laminates
• Studies on rectangular
laminates

MFC actuators
Date: 17.08.2018 Structural Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Slide No: 2
 Morphing of Multistable Variable Stiffness
Laminates using MFC Actuators

Energy Find out

Energy Total
3 step process of of MFC stable
Energy
Laminate shapes

Laminate curing
In basic model, the in plane equilibrium equations are not
satisfied which can lead inaccuracies in membrane energy
calculation.
Addition of MFC
•An improved model is suggested to capture
membrane energy by decoupling terms in the
formulation.
MFC actuation
Total Energy = Energy due to Membrane forces +
Energy due to bending + Energy due to coupling of
bending and membrane

Date: 17.08.2018 Structural Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Slide No: 3
 Morphing of Multistable Variable Stiffness
Laminates using MFC Actuators

Initial Step
Stability check of
Cool - down Step snap back

MFC activation Snap back

Stable shape
1
Stability check of
Snap through
snap through

Steps followed in Numerical Analysis

Date: 17.08.2018 Structural Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Slide No: 4
 Morphing of Multistable Variable Stiffness
Laminates using MFC Actuators

Date: 17.08.2018 Structural Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Slide No: 5
 Morphing of Multistable Variable Stiffness
Laminates using MFC Actuators

Date: 17.08.2018 Structural Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Slide No: 6