Lag-twist coupling sensitivity and design for a composite blade cross-section with D-spar

In this paper, the effect of various parameters of a specific rotor blade cross-section on the effectiveness of a twist morphing concept is investigated. Then, by considering different constraints, a cross-section consistent with this morphing concept with high lag-twist coupling and low extension-twist, is developed. This lag bending-torsion coupling is used to change the twist of the blade during the flight, while the high values of extension-twist coupling is avoided. To this end, a concentrated mass is added to the blade, where its chordwise location varies in flight. When the mass moves in the chordwise direction, a local lag bending is introduced into the blade. This in-plane bending moment then changes the blade twist distribution through lag-twist coupling induced through stiffness tailoring in the blade cross-section. Therefore, this coupling plays an important role in this morphing concept. The one-dimensional dynamics of the blade is modelled by using the geometrically exact fully intrinsic bean equations while the 2D cross-sectional stiffness values are determined by using the VABS software. First, a blade which resembles the BO-105 main rotor blade in the fundamental frequencies is designed. Then, the effect of various parameters of the cross-section on the fundamental frequencies, the lag-twist coupling, and the extension-twist coupling are determined. It is found that the skin of the spar has the highest contribution to both the extension-twist and the lag-twist coupling. Finally, a cross-section compatible with the proposed morphing concept is designed and it is demonstrated that the twist of the blade may be changed significantly.