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Encyclopedia of Continuum Mechanics pp 1–13Cite as

Morphing Structures, Applications of

Definitions

Morphing Structures – load-bearing systems capable of changing shape across multiple operating conditions to improve performance or enable new functions to the vehicle or body to which it is attached or comprises.

Abbreviations

BLI:

Boundary layer ingestion

DARPA:

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

DLR:

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (German Aerospace Center)

EAPs:

Electro-active polymers

MAS:

Morphing aircraft structures

SMA:

Shape memory alloy

UAV:

Unmanned aerial vehicle

Introduction

A direct relationship exists between the function of a structure and its geometry. Intrinsically, as it is well known, the geometry of a structure determines its stiffness, strength, and stability, thereby playing a large role in the structure’s ability to bear loads. Beyond this, the overall geometric “form” of a structure enables other functions in many cases. For example, lift and drag characteristics of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic structures such as wings, fins, and...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Aerospace Center DLR, Brunswick, Germany

    Srinivas Vasista, Olaf Mierheim & Markus Kintscher

Authors
  1. Srinivas Vasista
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  2. Olaf Mierheim
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  3. Markus Kintscher
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Srinivas Vasista .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Chair of Engineering Mechanics, Institut, Magdeburg, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany

    Prof.Dr.Dr.h.c.mult. Holm Altenbach

  2. Fakultät für Maschinenbau, Hochschule Esslingen, Esslingen am Neckar, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

    Prof. Andreas Öchsner

Section Editor information

  1. Institut für Faserverbundleichtbau und Adaptronik, Abteilung Adaptronik, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Braunschweig, Germany

    Hans Peter Monner

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Vasista, S., Mierheim, O., Kintscher, M. (2019). Morphing Structures, Applications of. In: Altenbach, H., Öchsner, A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Continuum Mechanics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-53605-6_247-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-53605-6_247-1

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