How is aeroelastic tailoring achieved through composite laminate design?

Aeroelastic tailoring exploits composite anisotropy to achieve favorable structural-aerodynamic coupling: Bend-twist coupling through unbalanced layups (more +45 or -45 plies) causes twist under bending load; This can be designed to reduce angle of attack under gust (passive load alleviation) or provide wash-out/wash-in for flutter suppression; Extension-twist coupling similarly tailors response. Design considerations: Unbalanced layups cause manufacturing warpage requiring compensation; Strength knockdowns for non-standard layups; Stiffness requirements for other load cases; and Certification of novel failure modes. Implementation requires coupled aeroelastic-structural optimization. Examples include forward-swept wing demonstrators (X-29) and research programs for load-alleviating composite wings.