Fundamental Hyperelastic Material Study Project

<p>This research is part of an innovative effort to use hyperelastic materials&nbsp;to produce flexible and seamless aircraft structures that reduce drag&nbsp;and minimize acoustic noise. Hyperelastic materials, such as rubber,&nbsp;have a non-linear stress-strain relationship, which often complicates the&nbsp;modeling process. Therefore, CIF funding is being used to gain increased&nbsp;knowledge regarding the properties of hyperelastic materials and develop&nbsp;improved finite element analysis (FEA) models. This research effort&nbsp;builds on the knowledge gained from the Adaptive Compliant Trailing&nbsp;Edge (ACTE) experimental flight research project. The ACTE project&nbsp;will demonstrate the structure technology in flight, and this technology&nbsp;has been shown to improve aircraft aerodynamic efficiency and reduce&nbsp;airport-area noise generated during takeoffs and landings.</p><p><strong>Work to date:</strong> The Armstrong development team has fabricated the biaxial&nbsp;strain test hardware and completed initial bubble test planning. The team&nbsp;is working to obtain biaxial strain properties and develop an FEA model&nbsp;that simulates the material properties and failure characteristics. In 2014, the team fine-tuned the modeling by&nbsp;comparing the predicted output to an actual bubble test of the material.</p><p><strong>Partner:</strong> FlexSys Inc. is the industry partner on this effort, as it owns the&nbsp;design patent.</p><p><strong>Benefits</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Economical:</strong> Use of hyperelastic material&nbsp;increases fuel efficiency by reducing drag</li><li><strong>Quieter:</strong> Novel wing flap reduces noise&nbsp;associated with takeoffs and landings both in&nbsp;the aircraft cabin and on the ground</li></ul><p><strong>Applications</strong></p><ul><li>Aircraft wing flaps</li><li>Helicopter blades</li><li>Motor vehicles</li><li>Trains</li><li>Ships</li></ul>

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