FE Modeling And Analysis Validation of an Adaptive Winglet Structure

In the framework of CLEAN SK2 AIRGREEN2 Project (CS2, AG2), an Adaptive morphing Winglet (AWL) was developed for the LEONARDO (LDO) TP90 Regional Aircraft with the aim to improve A/C aerodynamic performance in off-design conditions and reduce loads at critical flight points.Within the project, the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA) is the leader and also the technical owner of the winglet concept with a morphing trailing edge devices design and structural analysis as well as responsible for Static and Functionality Ground Tests engineering. TECNAM carried out the executive design, manufacturing and test execution.The AWL is composed of a Fixed Structure and two movable parts each one characterized by two differential tabs that permit the possibility to move them either synchronously or independently. Several ground tests were performed to evaluate the strength of the AWL Full Scale Fixed Structure under the dedicated Flight Limit Loads.The present work is focused on the development of the FE Model of the AWL Fixed Structure and its validation in order to ensure that the model as a whole predicts stress/strain and displacements obtained during the Static Ground Tests properly. The method used for the validation includes displacements comparison between experimental and numerical results. The validation of the AWL Fixed Structure FE Model will be of support during the process to obtain the Permit to Fly to perform the flight tests.