Static Configurations of Clamped Hybrid Bistable Symmetric Laminates

This paper presents an examination of symmetric laminates that exhibit two stable states in response to changes in temperature with clamped boundary conditions. To ensure resistance to losing their bistability when affixed to bigger structures or clamped, hybrid laminates are used. The laminate’s bistability is triggered by symmetrically embedded bidirectional glass-epoxy layers (BD). The analysis employs an approximate analytical model based on the Rayleigh-Ritz approach. The BD layers have a significant impact on the laminate’s shape at room temperature. The research explores the effect of varying the geometric parameters of the BD layers, specifically their thickness and location from the laminate’s center. In the second part of the study, a new design for a bistable wing is proposed, which combines a flat symmetric platform with a modified hybrid symmetric bistable laminate that acts as a bistable winglet.