Multistable morphing structures integrated with non-symmetric/antisymmetric-layup connected laminates

Abstract

A novel layup design of a multistable morphing structure was proposed in this paper. Non-symmetric / Non-symmetric / Non-symmetric (Structure 1) and Non-symmetric / Antisymmetric/ Non-symmetric / Antisymmetric/ Non-symmetric (Structure 2) connected laminates with five stable configurations each were designed and manufactured. The difference between the two types of multistable configurations was systematically investigated by numerical simulations and experiments. The first stable configuration (Stable I) and the fifth stable configuration (Stable V) of multistable laminates were selected to analyse the out-of-plane displacement and load–displacement curves. The experimental results matched well with those of the numerical simulations. In addition, the length and thickness of the elements were modified in the numerical model, and the factors influencing the number of stable configurations of the multistable morphing structures were discussed. The results show that in the snap-through process, the Structure 1 exhibited a larger stiffness and snap load compared to those of Structure 2. The ply thickness was the major factor affecting the deformation curvatures of the multistable morphing structures.