Flutter Control of Smart Composite Structures in Hygrothermal Environment

Abstract

Flutter control of smart composite plates under subsonic airflow is investigated in hygrothermal environment. The active fiber composite (AFC) which is more effective and adaptive than the conventional monolithic piezoelectric material is used in the present analysis to control the undesirable response due to hygrothermal effect. The velocity and displacement feedback control algorithm are subsequently established to reduce actively the response of the plate. Numerical examples of isotropic and laminated composite plates with or without hygrothermal effect are presented. It is observed that the structures become weak in the presence of hygrothermal load in the form of reduced flutter boundary. The flutter boundary can be enhanced with the help of AFC. The parametric study is performed and it is observed that the flutter boundary can be enhanced with the help of a feedback-control system activating the AFC. Therefore, one can say that the AFC is effective to enhance the flutter boundary of the present aeroelastic structure in the hygrothermal environment.