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Chamis, C. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Chamis, C. C..

At least 127 records · Page 7

Probabilistic structural analysis methods of hot engine structures

Development of probabilistic structural analysis methods for hot engine structures is a major activity at Lewis Research Center. Recent activities have focused on extending the methods to include the combined uncertainties in several factors on structural response. This paper briefly describes recent progress on composite load spectra models, probabilistic finite element structural analysis, and probabilistic strength degradation modeling. Progress is described in terms of fundamental concepts, computer code development, and representative numerical results.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Finite element applications to explore the effects of partial bonding on metal matrix composite properties

The mechanics of materials approach (definition of E, G, Nu, and Alpha) and the finite element method are used to explore the effects of partial bonding and fiber fracture on the behavior of high temperature metal matrix composites. Composite ply properties are calculated for various degrees of disbonding to evaluate the sensitivity of these properties to the presence of fiber/matrix disbonding and fiber fracture. The mechanics of materials approach allows for the determination of the basic ply material properties needed for design/analysis of composites. The finite element method provides the necessary structural response (forces and displacements) for the mechanics of materials equations. Results show that disbonding of fractured fibers affect only E sub (111) and alpha sub (111) significantly.

Caruso, J. J.↗

Simplified procedures for designing adhesively bonded composite joints

Procedures for the preliminary design of composite adhesive joints are described. Typical joints, their respective free body diagrams, and approximate equations for estimating the stresses in each of these typical joints are summarized. Equations are also presented to check the critical conditions of the joint such as minimum length, maximum adhesive shear stress, and peel-off stress. To illustrate the procedure, sample designs are described in step-by-step fashion for a butt joint with single doubler subjected to static loads, cyclic loads, and environmental effects. The results show that unsymmetric adhesive joints are inefficient and should be avoided, and hygrothermal environments and cyclic loads dramatically reduce the structural integrity of the joint and require several joint lengths compared with those for static load with no environmental effects.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Computational structural mechanics engine structures computational simulator

The Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM) program at Lewis encompasses: (1) fundamental aspects for formulating and solving structural mechanics problems, and (2) development of integrated software systems to computationally simulate the performance/durability/life of engine structures.

Chamis, C. C.↗

The 3-D inelastic analyses for computational structural mechanics

The 3-D inelastic analysis method is a focused program with the objective to develop computationally effective analysis methods and attendant computer codes for three-dimensional, nonlinear time and temperature dependent problems present in the hot section of turbojet engine structures. Development of these methods was a major part of the Hot Section Technology (HOST) program over the past five years at Lewis Research Center.

Hopkins, D. A.↗

Computational structural mechanics for engine structures

The computational structural mechanics (CSM) program at Lewis encompasses: (1) fundamental aspects for formulating and solving structural mechanics problems, and (2) development of integrated software systems to computationally simulate the performance/durability/life of engine structures. It is structured to mainly supplement, complement, and whenever possible replace, costly experimental efforts which are unavoidable during engineering research and development programs. Specific objectives include: investigate unique advantages of parallel and multiprocesses for: reformulating/solving structural mechanics and formulating/solving multidisciplinary mechanics and develop integrated structural system computational simulators for: predicting structural performances, evaluating newly developed methods, and for identifying and prioritizing improved/missing methods needed. Herein the CSM program is summarized with emphasis on the Engine Structures Computational Simulator (ESCS). Typical results obtained using ESCS are described to illustrate its versatility.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Tailoring of composite links for optimal damped elasto-dynamic performance

A method is developed for the optimal design of composite links based on dynamic performance criteria directly related to structural modal damping and dynamic stiffness. An integrated mechanics theory correlates structural composite damping to the parameters of basic composite material systems, laminate parameters, link shape, and modal deformations. The inclusion of modal properties allows the selective minimization of vibrations associated with specific modes. Ply angles and fiber volumes are tailored to obtain optimal combinations of damping and stiffness. Applications to simple composite links indicate wide margins for trade-offs and illustrate the importance of various design variables to the optimal design.

Saravanos, D. A.↗

Finite element applications to explore the effects of partial bonding on metal matrix composite properties

The mechanics of materials approach (definition of E, G, nu, and alpha) and the finite element method are used to explore the effects of partial bonding and fiber fracture on the behavior of high temperature metal matrix composites. Composite ply properties are calculated for various degrees of disbonding to evaluate the sensitivity of these properties to the presence of fiber/matrix disbonding and fiber fracture. The mechanics of materials approach allows for the determination of the basic ply material properties needed for design/analysis of composites. The finite element method provides the necessary structural response (forces and displacements) for the mechanics of materials equations. Results show that disbonding of fractured fibers affect only E-l(11) and alpha-l(11) significantly.

Caruso, J. J.↗

Mechanics of damping for fiber composite laminates including hygro-thermal effects

An integrated mechanics theory has been developed for the modeling of composite damping from the micromechanics to the laminate level. Simplified, design oriented equations based on hysteretic damping are presented for on-axis plies, off-axis plies, and laminates including the effect of temperature, moisture, and interply hysteretic damping. The temperature rise within vibrating composite laminates resulting from strain energy dissipation is also modeled, and their coupled hygro-thermo-mechanical response is predicted. The method correlates well with reported damping measurements. Application examples illustrate the effect of various ply, laminate, and hygro-thermal parameters on the overall damping performance of composite laminates.

Saravanos, D. A.↗

Structural behavior of composites with progressive fracture

The objective of the study is to unify several computational tools developed for the prediction of progressive damage and fracture with efforts for the prediction of the overall response of damaged composite structures. In particular, a computational finite element model for the damaged structure is developed using a computer program as a byproduct of the analysis of progressive damage and fracture. Thus, a single computational investigation can predict progressive fracture and the resulting variation in structural properties of angleplied composites.

Minnetyan, L.↗

Structural tailoring of laminate properties

In this study, structural synthesis techniques have been applied to tailor the composite laminate properties from the micromechanics to the laminate level for a desirable structural response. It is also demonstrated how to establish upper and lower bounds on design variables based on reliability considerations. The question of reliability arises in fiber composite analysis and design because of the inherent scatter that is observed in the constituent material properties in the experimental data. The symmetric composite laminates subject to mechanical loading are considered and no hygrothermal effects are taken into account in the present research. Application examples illustrate the effects of various ply and laminate parameters on the overall properties and structural response of composite laminates.

Thanedar, P. B.↗

Probabilistic constitutive relationships for material strength degradation models

In the present probabilistic methodology for the strength of aerospace propulsion system structural components subjected to such environmentally-induced primitive variables as loading stresses, high temperature, chemical corrosion, and radiation, time is encompassed as an interacting element, allowing the projection of creep and fatigue effects. A probabilistic constitutive equation is postulated to account for the degradation of strength due to these primitive variables which may be calibrated by an appropriately curve-fitted least-squares multiple regression of experimental data. The resulting probabilistic constitutive equation is embodied in the PROMISS code for aerospace propulsion component random strength determination.

Boyce, L.↗

An integrated methodology for optimizing structural composite damping

A method is presented for tailoring plate and shell composite structures for optimal forced damped dynamic response. The damping of specific vibration modes is optimized with respect to dynamic performance criteria including placement of natural frequencies and minimization of resonance amplitudes. The structural composite damping is synthesized from the properties of the constituent materials, laminate parameters, and structural geometry based on a specialty finite element. Application studies include the optimization of laminated composite beams and composite shells with fiber volume ratios and ply angles as design variables. The results illustrate the significance of damping tailoring to the dynamic performance of composite structures, and the effectiveness of the method in optimizing the structural dynamic response.

Saravanos, D. A.↗

Tailoring of composite links for optimal damped elasto-dynamic performance

A method is developed for the optimal design of composite links based on dynamic performance criteria directly related to structural modal damping and dynamic stiffness. An integrated mechanics theory correlates structural composite damping to the parameters of basic composite material systems, laminate parameters, link shape, and modal deformations. The inclusion of modal properties allows the selective minimization of vibrations associated with specific modes. Ply angles and fiber volumes are tailored to obtain optimal combinations of damping and stiffness. Applications to simple composite links indicate wide margins for trade-offs and illustrate the importance of various design variables to the optimal design.

Saravanos, D. A.↗

Metal matrix composite micromechanics - In situ behavior influence on composite properties

The influence of in situ fiber and matrix properties (such as in situ matrix strength and the interphase degradation) of high-temperature metal matrix composites (HTMMCs) on the unidirectional stress-strain behavior of the composite is examined using results of a numerical investigation of a SiC/Ti-15-3-3-3 unidirectional composite. It is shown that a reduction of the in situ matrix strength substantially decreases the transverse and the longitudinal tensile/compressive strengths, as well as the in-plane shear strength, of the composite. The interphase degradation affects the behavior in transverse tension/compression drastically; both the ultimate strength and strain showed significant reductions. The higher use temperature results in a reduction in the ultimate strength and in the initial tangential modulus for compression and for in-plane shear loading.

Murthy, P. L. N.↗

Computational simulation of high temperature metal matrix composites cyclic behavior

A procedure was developed and is described which can be used to computationally simulate the cyclic behavior of high temperature metal matrix composites (HTMMC) and its degradation effects on the structural response. This procedure consists of HTMMC mechanics coupled with a multifactor interaction constituent material relationship and with an incremental iterative nonlinear analysis. The procedure is implemented in a computer code that can be used to computationally simulate the thermomechanical behavior of HTMMC starting from the fabrication process and proceeding through thermomechanical cycling, accounting for the interface/interphase region. Results show that combined thermal/mechanical cycling, the interphase, and in situ matrix properties have significant effects on the structural integrity of HTMMC.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Numerical Analysis Of Interlaminar-Fracture Toughness

Finite-element analysis applied in conjunction with strain-energy and micromechanical concepts. Computational procedure involves local, local-crack-closure, and/or the "unique" local-crack-closure method developed at NASA Lewis Research Center, for mathematical modeling of ENF and MMF. Methods based on three-dimensional finite-element analysis in conjunction with concept of strain-energy-release rate and with micromechanics of composite materials. Assists in interpretation of ENF and MMF fracture tests performed to obtain fracture-toughness parameters, by enabling evaluation of states of stress likely to induce interlaminar fractures.

Chamis, C. C.↗

Probabilistic structural analysis methods development for SSME

The development of probabilistic structural analysis methods is a major part of the SSME Structural Durability Program and consists of three program elements: composite load spectra, probabilistic finite element structural analysis, and probabilistic structural analysis applications. Recent progress includes: (1) the effects of the uncertainties of several factors on the HPFP blade temperature pressure and torque, (2) the evaluation of the cumulative distribution function of structural response variables based on assumed uncertainties on primitive structural variables, and (3) evaluation of the failure probability. Collectively, the results obtained demonstrate that the structural durability of critical SSME components can be probabilistically evaluated.

Chamis, C. C.↗