Engineering topics

Chou, Tsu-Wei

Publications and source records attributed to Chou, Tsu-Wei.

9 records

NASA NTRS1995

Modeling and characterization of through-the-thickness properties of 3D woven composites

The through-the-thickness properties of three-dimensionally (3D) woven carbon/epoxy composites have been studied. The investigation aimed at the evaluation and development of test methodologies for the property characterization in the thickness direction, and the establishment of fiber architectures were studied: layer-to-layer Angle Interlock, through-the-thickness Orthogonal woven preform with surface pile was also designed and manufactured for the fabrication of tensile test coupons with integrated grips. All the preforms were infiltrated by the resin transfer molding technique. The microstructures of the composites were characterized along the warp and fill (weft) directions to determine the degree of yarn undulations, yarn cross-sectional shapes, and microstructural dimensions. These parameters were correlated to the fiber architecture. Specimens were designed and tested for the direct measurement of the through-the-thickness tensile, compressive and shear properties of the composites. Design optimization was conducted through the analysis of the stress fields within the specimen coupled with experimental verification. The experimentally-derived elastic properties in the thickness direction compared well with analytical predictions obtained from a volume averaging model.

Hartranft, Dru↗

NASA NTRS1992

Microstructural design of fiber composites

The optimum performance design of composite microstructures is discussed. The forces driving progress in fiber composites are examined, and recent developments in the mechanics of laminated composites are surveyed, emphasizing thick laminates, hygrothermal effects, and thermal transient effects. The strength of continuous-fiber composites is discussed, presenting analyses of local load redistribution due to fiber breakages and treatments of statistical tensile strength theories. Modes of failure of laminated composites are examined. Elastic, physical, and viscoelastic properties as well as the strength and fracture behavior of short-fiber composites are studied, and it is shown how the performance of composites can be controlled by selecting material systems and their geometric distributions. 2D textile structural composites based on woven, knitted, and braided preforms are considered, and techniques for analyzing and modeling the thermomechanical behavior of 2D textile composites are presented. Recent developments in the processing of 3D textile preforms are introduced and the processing-microstructure relationship is demonstrated. Finite elastic deformation of flexible composites is addressed.

Chou, Tsu-Wei↗

NASA NTRS1991

Modeling of nonlinear constitutive relations of woven ceramic composites

The linear and nonlinear tensile behavior of SiC/SiC composites is examined. This analysis is based on the observed stress-strain behavior and damage evolution from a series of loading and unloading tensile tests. Stress distribution of the composite with transverse cracks in the transverse yarns is examined, and the nonlinearity of the composite stress-strain relation due to the presence of transverse cracks is predicted by application of a maximum failure strain criterion for the transverse yarn.

Kuo, Wen-Shyong↗

NASA NTRS1991

Characterization and modeling of tensile behavior of ceramic woven fabric composites

This paper examines the tensile behavior of SiC/SiC fabric composites. In the characterization effort, the stress-strain relation and damage evolution are studied with a series of loading and unloading tensile test experiments. The stress-strain relation is linear in response to the initial loading and becomes nonlinear when loading exceeds the proportional limit. Transverse cracking has been observed to be a dominant damage mode governing the nonlinear deformation. The damage is initiated at the inter-tow pores where fiber yarns cross over each other. In the modeling work, the analysis is based upon a fiber bundle model, in which fiber undulation in the warp and fill directions and gaps among fiber yarns have been taken into account. Two limiting cases of fabric stacking arrangements are studied. Closed form solutions are obtained for the composite stiffness and Poisson's ratio. Transverse cracking in the composite is discussed by applying a constant failure strain criterion.

Kuo, Wen-Shyong↗

NASA NTRS1991

Predictions of the critical strain for matrix cracking of ceramic matrix composites

The critical strain for matrix cracking of ceramic matrix composites has been studied; emphasis is placed on the effects of the fiber/matrix debonding length and interfacial debonding energy. Based on a modified shear-lag model, stresses in the fiber and matrix have been found for both the bonded and debonded regions. An energy-balance approach, based upon the stress field, is then adopted to evaluate the critical strain for matrix cracking. From the general equation for the critical strain, close form solutions have been deduced for two limiting cases: complete debonding and perfect bonding. Numerical solutions are given for the cases of nonzero debonding energy and partial fiber debonding. The results show that the interfacial debonding energy, which has been ignored by most of the investigators, is an important factor in determining both the critical strain and the debonding length.

Kuo, Wen-Shyong↗

NASA NTRS1990

Mode I delamination of a three-dimensional fabric composite

Finite-element analysis was conducted on a double-cantilever-beam (DCB) specimen of carbon-epoxy (T300/3501-6) orthogonal interlocked fabric composites. The mode I strain-energy release rate G(I) was evaluated to investigate the influence of through-the-thickness (z-axis) fibers on crack driving force as a function of crack length. The analysis showed good agreement with experimental results for both compliance and G(I). The presence of z-axis fibers sharply reduced G(I) in comparison to the traditional two-dimensional laminated material. A parametric study revealed that increasing the z-axis fiber stiffness reduces G(I). Progressive debonding of the z-axis reinforcement was also modeled. G(I) increased as the fiber debonded but was significantly less than in the two-dimensional laminated material in all cases.

Byun, Joon-Hyung↗

NASA NTRS1990

Mechanical behaviors of ceramic matrix composites with matrix cracking and fiber debonding

The purpose of this paper is to summarize the current research of the authors on the mechanical behaviors of ceramic matrix composites, including (1) the stress distributions in a composite with matrix cracking and interfacial debonding, (2) the critical strain for matrix cracking, and (3) the effects of fiber/matrix debonding and thermal residual stresses on the critical strain. The stress fields in both bonded and debonded regions are evaluated by taking into account thermal effects. An energy balance approach is followed to determine the critical strain for matrix cracking. From the general equation of the critical strain for matrix cracking, close form solutions have been obtained for two limiting cases: perfect bonding and complete debonding. Numerical solutions are given for the cases of partial fiber debonding and nonzero debonding energy. It is found that thermal residual stresses and the debonding energy have significant effects on the critical strain.

Kuo, Wen-Shyong↗

NASA NTRS1990

Modeling of the flexural behavior of ceramic-matrix composites

This paper examines the effects of matrix cracking and fiber breakage on the flexural behavior of ceramic composite beams. A model has been proposed to represent the damage evolution of the beam, of which the matrix fracture strain is smaller than that of the fibers. Close form solutions of the critical loads for the initiation of matrix cracking and fiber breakage in the tension side of the beam have been found. The effects of thermal residual stresses and fiber/matrix debonding have been taken into account. The initial deviation of the load-deflection curve from linearity is due to matrix cracking, while fiber breakages are responsible for the drop in the load carrying capacity of the beam. The proportional limit as well as the nonlinear behavior of the beam deflection have been identified. The growth of the damaged zone has also been predicted. A three-point bending case is given as a numerical example.

Kuo, Wen-Shyong↗

NASA NTRS1989

Toughness properties of a three-dimensional carbon-epoxy composite

The three-dimensional (3D) orthogonal interlocked fabric contains through-the-thickness reinforcement in order to enhance the interlaminar fracture toughness of the composite. The interlaminar fracture toughness of a carbon-epoxy orthogonal interlocked fabric composite was experimentally determined by use of the recently developed tabbed double cantilever beam specimen. The data reduction methods applicable to these tests and materials and the interpretation of the results were discussed. The results of critical strain energy release rate, G(IC), were compared to those of a two-dimensional (2D) laminate having the same in-plane structure. The energy-dissipating crack propagation processes were described. The in-plane fracture toughness of the three-dimensional fabric was experimentally measured and compared to that of the two-dimensional laminate. The through-the-thickness fibers were found to create a tenfold increase in interlaminar toughness, and a 25-percent improvement in the in-plane fracture toughness.

Guenon, Valerie↗