Nonlinear Structural Dynamics of Folding Wingtip: A Flexible Multibody Approach

Resumo

In commercial aviation, even incremental improvements in aircraft performance can yield substantial environmental benefits. Increasing wing span is a proven strategy to enhance aerodynamic efficiencyand reduce emissions, but practical limitations arise as many airports cannot accommodate larger-wing aircraft. Folding wingtips have emerged as an innovative solution to reconcile efficiency gains withoperational flexibility. However, analyzing such adaptive structures requires addressing geometric nonlinearities induced by large displacements, which traditional linear models fail to capture accurately.This study proposes a computationally efficient framework for static and dynamic analysis of highly flexible structures, including folding wingtips. The method combines a linear structural model based onthe Rayleigh-Ritz method with flexible multibody dynamics, where geometric nonlinearities are modeled through rigid connections between multiple flexible bodies. This hybrid approach avoids the highcomputational costs of fully nonlinear structural models while retaining fidelity in capturing nonlinear dynamic behavior. Results demonstrate that the framework accurately predicts the structural dynamicsof highly flexible structures with folding parts, validating its capability to handle complex, morphing geometries. The proposed methodology not only supports the design of next-generation adaptive wingsbut also offers versatility for broader applications in aerospace engineering, where flexibility and large deformations play a critical role.