Finite Element Predictions of Active Buckling Control of Stiffened Panels

Materials systems and structures that can respond "intelligently" to their environment are currently being proposed and investigated. A series of finite element analyses was performed to investigate the potential for active buckling control of two different stiffened panels by embedded shape memory alloy (SMA) rods. Changes in the predicted buckling load increased with the magni tude of the actuation level for a given structural concept. Increasing the number of actuators for a given concept yielded greater predicted increases in buckling load. Considerable control authority was generated with a small number of actuators, with greater authority demonstrated for those struc tural concepts where the activated SMA rods could develop greater forces and moments on the struc ture. Relatively simple and inexpensive analyses were performed with standard finite elements to de termine such information, indicating the viability of these types of models for design purposes.