• Modelling of Sandwich specimen
• Static bending simulation.

The aim of the thesis is to investigate and evaluate the Static Bending behavior of the composite specimens by piezoelectric patches in order to validate the FEM model designed with the ANSYS Software.

The activity continues the work begun in previous projects (Future Wings project). Initially, the obtained results are compared and validated with previous obtained simulation results and also with the experimental data conducted in the lab.

The composite material (Substrate) employed are made of thin Carbon/Epoxy prepreg fabric with 0.25mm thickness. The piezoelectric patches employed here are Macro Fiber composite (MFC) with 0.3 mm thickness. The MFC are glued onto the surface of the composite material on top and on the bottom. MFC is composed of ceramic fibers that can bend or flex when a current is applied to it-much like a muscle. The MFC also generates a current when it is vibrated or flexed, giving us the ability to use the MFC as next-gen vibration detector as well.

The aim of the project is to replace the Composite-ply (Substrate) with a honeycomb structure and develop, static bending simulation work, where we are concerned with the bending nature of the specimen.