Abstract
A theoretical, two-dimensional, static-aeroelastic design, modeling and optimization of a variable-camber morphing airfoil that employs surface-induced forces via smart material actuators is presented. The structural parameters of the airfoil, mainly the substrate features, are determined using a Genetic Algorithm optimization technique. A coupled treatment of the fluid-structure interaction is employed which allows the realization of a design that is not only feasible in a bench top experiment, but that can also sustain aerodynamic loads in the wind tunnel. The substrate is assumed to be a carbon nanotube reinforced composite whose constitutive response is obtained by means of a homogenization-based multi-scale finite element model. A separate parametric study on different geometric configurations of representative volume elements is carried out for the description of the substrate material. The analyzed representative volume elements consist of a single wall carbon nanotube embedded in a soft polymer matrix.