Aeroelastic analysis of smart composite structures in hygro-thermal environment

Aeroelastic performances of smart composite plates under aerodynamic loads are investigated in hygro-thermal environment. The active fiber composite (AFC) which is more effective and adaptive than conventional monolithic piezoelectric material is used in the present analysis to control the undesirable response due to hygrothermal effect. In the presence of hygrothermal load the composite structure becomes weak. But the structure can regain its stiffness in hygro-thermal environment when the AFC layer is activated with the help of applied voltage. The AFC is also effective to enhance the flutter boundary of present aeroelastic structure in hygro-thermal environment.