Cellular, pressure actuated shape-flexible structures

• Applicants: Professor Dr.-Ing. Chokri Cherif; Professor Dr.-Ing. Michael Sinapius
• Subject Area: Lightweight Construction, Textile Technology
• Term: from 2015 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 280656304

Shape variable composite structures having defined stiffness are subject of investigation of international research groups. One approach to avoid the contradiction between the implementation of structural flexibility on the one hand and stiffness and strength on the other hand within one and the same structure are pressure-activated cell and honeycomb structures. These include pressure-activated cellular structures (PACS), which have so far only been investigated theoretically.The aim of the research project is to gain theoretical and experimental knowledge necessary for the design, manufacture and testing of integrally textile-engineered PACS.In their joint research hypothesis, the partners are pursuing the goal of researching a theoretically designed PACS in textile-technical integral construction, to provide it with efficient pressurizing and thus to generate a flexible PACS with curvature radii of less than 250 mm, with the same aerodynamic effectiveness and an overall weight advantage of 30 %, exceeding conventional arched flaps.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Major Instrumentation: Linearabzug
• Instrumentation Group: 2230 Textilmaschinen
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr.-Ing. Christian Hühne