Adaptive bending-twist coupling in laminated composite plates by controllable shear stress transfer

Performance and efficiency of morphing structures can be increased by the integration of variable-stiffness elements. In this context, the present work investigates a concept of adaptive bending-twist coupling stiffness of laminated composite plates based on variable shear stress transfer at laminate interfaces. These adaptive interfaces are put into practice by exploiting the change of mechanical properties that is characteristic of the glass transition of a polymeric material. Numerical simulation and experiment are performed to verify the effectiveness of the concept and to analyze the main influences on the elastic behavior of the adaptive laminates. The results show changes in coupling stiffness by about one order of magnitude.