Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 June 2016
The modification of aerofoils with structural morphing in order to enhance aerodynamic efficiency is an active field of research. The required forced and induced displacements are, usually, out the current developments on shape memory alloys, piezoelectric actuators or multi-stable structures for commercial transport aircraft applications. This work aims to present studies for obtaining an optimum rudder structure which morphs to a pre-defined curvature that can sustain aerodynamic and internal loads in a critical certification load case for a commercial transport aircraft. It also includes the feasibility of a morphing rudder based on a zero Poisson skeleton, or close to a zero Poisson ratio panel geometrical configuration that has no transverse deformation when perpendicularly loaded and which is produced with an additive layer manufacturing process.