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Results for “Composite Fatigue analysis”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 55 records · Page 3
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1995

Failure Mechanisms During Isothermal Fatigue of SiC/Ti-24Al-11Nb Composites

Failure mechanisms during isothermal fatigue of unidirectional SiC/Ti-24Al-11Nb (at.%) composites have been determined by microstructural analysis of samples from tests interrupted prior to the end of life and from tests conducted to failure. Specimens from three regions of life were examined based on the maximum strain from a fatigue life diagram: Region 1 (high strain), Region 2 (mid-strain) and Region 3 (low strain). Crack lengths were also measured from interrupted samples and compared based on temperature (23-815 C), region of life and numbers of cycles. Region 1 was controlled by fiber-dominated failure. A transition zone was observed between Regions 1 and 2 due to competition between failure mechanisms. Failure in Region 2 was generally described as surface-initiated cracking with varying amounts of fiber bridging. However, the specific descriptions of crack propagation through the fibers and matrix varied with strain and temperature over this broad region. Region 3 exhibited endurance behaviour at 23 C with no cracking after lO(exp 6) cycles. However at 425 C, surface-initiated cracking was observed after 10(exp 6) cycles with fractured fibers in the crack wake. If endurance behaviour exists for conditions of isothermal fatigue in air at temperatures of greater than or equal to 425 C, it may only be found at very low strains and at greater than 10(exp 6) cycles.

Brindley, P. K.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Guidelines for VCCT-Based Interlaminar Fatigue and Progressive Failure Finite Element Analysis

This document is intended to detail the theoretical basis, equations, references and data that are necessary to enhance the functionality of commercially available Finite Element codes, with the objective of having functionality better suited for the aerospace industry in the area of composite structural analysis. The specific area of focus will be improvements to composite interlaminar fatigue and progressive interlaminar failure. Suggestions are biased towards codes that perform interlaminar Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) using Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT)-based algorithms [1,2]. All aspects of the science associated with composite interlaminar crack growth are not fully developed and the codes developed to predict this mode of failure must be programmed with sufficient flexibility to accommodate new functional relationships as the science matures.

Deobald, Lyle R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The ACEE Program And Basic Research On Composites

NASA reference publication describes research in composites conducted at Langley Research Center between 1975 and 1986. Includes Langley basic technology and composite-primary-structures element of NASA Aircraft Energy Efficiency (ACEE) Program. Basic technology documents cited in bibliography grouped according to research activity; for example, design and analysis, fatigue and fracture, and tolerance to damage. ACEE documents cover development of composite structures for transport aircraft. Report deals only with resin/matrix composite materials.

Dow, Marvin B.↗
NASA NTRS2020

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF BENCHMARK EXAMPLES FOR MIXED-MODE I/II FATIGUE GROWTH PREDICTIONS

The development of benchmark examples for assessing growth prediction capabilities is presented and demonstrated for a commercial code. The examples are based on finite element models of Mixed-Mode Bending (MMB) specimens for three different mode ratios. The examples are independent of the analysis software used and allow the assessment of the automated delamination propagation, onset and growth prediction capabilities in commercial finite element codes based on the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT). First, based on existing results for delamination propagation under static loading, new benchmark examples for delamination growth under fatigue loading were created. Second, starting from an initially straight front, the delamination was allowed to grow under fatigue loading. The number of cycles to delamination onset and the number of cycles during delamination growth for each growth increment were obtained from the automated analysis and compared to the benchmark examples. Good agreement between the results obtained from the growth analysis and the benchmark results could be achieved by selecting the appropriate input parameters. The benchmarking procedure proved valuable by highlighting the issues associated with choosing the input parameters of the particular implementation. Overall the results from automatic propagation are encouraging, however, selecting the appropriate input parameters was not straightforward and often required an iterative procedure.

Composites↗
NASA NTRS1987

The ACEE program and basic composites research at Langley Research Center (1975 to 1986): Summary and bibliography

Composites research conducted at the Langley Research Center during the period from 1975 to 1986 is described, and an annotated bibliography of over 600 documents (with their abstracts) is presented. The research includes Langley basic technology and the composite primary structures element of the NASA Aircraft Energy Efficiency (ACEE) Program. The basic technology documents cited in the bibliography are grouped according to the research activity such as design and analysis, fatigue and fracture, and damage tolerance. The ACEE documents cover development of composite structures for transport aircraft.

Dow, Marvin B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Fatigue damage accumulation in various metal matrix composites

The purpose of this paper is to review some of the latest understanding of the fatigue behavior of continuous fiber reinforced metal matrix composites. The emphasis is on the development of an understanding of different fatigue damage mechanisms and why and how they occur. The fatigue failure modes in continuous fiber reinforced metal matrix composites are controlled by the three constituents of the system: fiber, matrix, and fiber/matrix interface. The relative strains to fatigue failure of the fiber and matrix will determine the failure mode. Several examples of matrix, fiber, and self-similar damage growth dominated fatigue damage are given for several metal matrix composite systems. Composite analysis, failure modes, and damage modeling are discussed. Boron/aluminum, silicon-carbide/aluminum, FP/aluminum, and borsic/titanium metal matrix composites are discussed.

Johnson, W. S.↗
NASA NTRS2011

TPSAS-NF1676L-12363-DND

Develop methodologies and validated analysis tools for fatigue life and residual strength prediction for composite rotorcraft structures.

Gretchen B Murri↗
NASA NTRS1993

Design for cyclic loading endurance of composites

The application of the computer code IPACS (Integrated Probabilistic Assessment of Composite Structures) to aircraft wing type structures is described. The code performs a complete probabilistic analysis for composites taking into account the uncertainties in geometry, boundary conditions, material properties, laminate lay-ups, and loads. Results of the analysis are presented in terms of cumulative distribution functions (CDF) and probability density function (PDF) of the fatigue life of a wing type composite structure under different hygrothermal environments subjected to the random pressure. The sensitivity of the fatigue life to a number of critical structural/material variables is also computed from the analysis.

Shiao, Michael C.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Thermography Inspection for Early Detection of Composite Damage in Structures During Fatigue Loading

Advanced composite structures are commonly tested under controlled loading. Understanding the initiation and progression of composite damage under load is critical for validating design concepts and structural analysis tools. Thermal nondestructive evaluation (NDE) is used to detect and characterize damage in composite structures during fatigue loading. A difference image processing algorithm is demonstrated to enhance damage detection and characterization by removing thermal variations not associated with defects. In addition, a one-dimensional multilayered thermal model is used to characterize damage. Lastly, the thermography results are compared to other inspections such as non-immersion ultrasonic inspections and computed tomography X-ray.

Zalameda, Joseph N.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Damage prediction in cross-plied curved composite laminates

Analytical and experimental work is detailed which is required to predict delamination onset and growth in a curved cross plied composite laminate subjected to static and fatigue loads. The composite used was AS4/3501/6, graphite/epoxy. Analytically, a closed form stress analysis and 2-D and 3-D finite element analyses were conducted to determine the stress distribution in an undamaged curved laminate. The finite element analysis was also used to determine values of strain energy release rate at a delamination emanating from a matrix crack in a 90 deg ply. Experimentally, transverse tensile strength and fatigue life were determined from flat 90 deg coupons. The interlaminar tensile strength and fatigue life were determined from double cantilevered beam specimens. Cross plied curved laminates were tested statically and in fatigue to give a comparison to the analytical predictions. A comparison of the fracture mechanics life prediction technique and the strength based prediction technique is given.

Martin, Roderick H.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Integration of Fatigue R-Curve Effects into VCCT for Durability Predictions, Part 1: Buckled Composite Single-Stringer Stiffened Panels

Composite structures have become popular in modern aircraft because they help reduce weight and increase durability. In addition, hat-stiffened panels provide the stability that the airframe skin needs. However, they can be subject to delamination in the post-buckling regime. Progressive damage analysis (PDA) methods can help predict interlaminar and intralaminar failure events. Many aircraft structures are subject to cyclic loading in the post-buckling regime. Hence, fatigue life prediction becomes essential for design and sustainment purposes. Under the NASA Advanced Composites Project (ACP), composite panels stiffened with single hat-stringers were subject to a cyclic loading sequence from a pre-buckling state to a post-buckling state. This test campaign aimed to provide damage initiation and growth data for three initial damage scenarios: nominally pristine, initial Teflon inserts representing manufacturing defects, and impact-induced damage. This work uses the Abaqus FEA Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), capabilities enhanced through a novel empirical method integrating fatigue R-curve effects (different from R-ratio) into the Paris Law via user-defined subroutine to simulate the fatigue response of the panels with single hat-stringers. The analysis predictions were within 5% of the test results using this novel method.

single hat↗
NASA NTRS1987

Composite structural materials

The development and application of composite materials to aerospace vehicle structures which began in the mid 1960's has now progressed to the point where what can be considered entire airframes are being designed and built using composites. Issues related to the fabrication of non-resin matrix composites and the micro, mezzo and macromechanics of thermoplastic and metal matrix composites are emphasized. Several research efforts are presented. They are entitled: (1) The effects of chemical vapor deposition and thermal treatments on the properties of pitch-based carbon fiber; (2) Inelastic deformation of metal matrix laminates; (3) Analysis of fatigue damage in fibrous MMC laminates; (4) Delamination fracture toughness in thermoplastic matrix composites; (5) Numerical investigation of the microhardness of composite fracture; and (6) General beam theory for composite structures.

Loewy, Robert G.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Probabilistic Multi-Scale, Multi-Level, Multi-Disciplinary Analysis and Optimization of Engine Structures

Aircraft engines are assemblies of dynamically interacting components. Engine updates to keep present aircraft flying safely and engines for new aircraft are progressively required to operate in more demanding technological and environmental requirements. Designs to effectively meet those requirements are necessarily collections of multi-scale, multi-level, multi-disciplinary analysis and optimization methods and probabilistic methods are necessary to quantify respective uncertainties. These types of methods are the only ones that can formally evaluate advanced composite designs which satisfy those progressively demanding requirements while assuring minimum cost, maximum reliability and maximum durability. Recent research activities at NASA Glenn Research Center have focused on developing multi-scale, multi-level, multidisciplinary analysis and optimization methods. Multi-scale refers to formal methods which describe complex material behavior metal or composite; multi-level refers to integration of participating disciplines to describe a structural response at the scale of interest; multidisciplinary refers to open-ended for various existing and yet to be developed discipline constructs required to formally predict/describe a structural response in engine operating environments. For example, these include but are not limited to: multi-factor models for material behavior, multi-scale composite mechanics, general purpose structural analysis, progressive structural fracture for evaluating durability and integrity, noise and acoustic fatigue, emission requirements, hot fluid mechanics, heat-transfer and probabilistic simulations. Many of these, as well as others, are encompassed in an integrated computer code identified as Engine Structures Technology Benefits Estimator (EST/BEST) or Multi-faceted/Engine Structures Optimization (MP/ESTOP). The discipline modules integrated in MP/ESTOP include: engine cycle (thermodynamics), engine weights, internal fluid mechanics, cost, mission and coupled structural/thermal, various composite property simulators and probabilistic methods to evaluate uncertainty effects (scatter ranges) in all the design parameters. The objective of the proposed paper is to briefly describe a multi-faceted design analysis and optimization capability for coupled multi-discipline engine structures optimization. Results are presented for engine and aircraft type metrics to illustrate the versatility of that capability. Results are also presented for reliability, noise and fatigue to illustrate its inclusiveness. For example, replacing metal rotors with composites reduces the engine weight by 20 percent, 15 percent noise reduction, and an order of magnitude improvement in reliability. Composite designs exist to increase fatigue life by at least two orders of magnitude compared to state-of-the-art metals.

Chamis, Christos C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Design, durability and low cost processing technology for composite fan exit guide vanes

A program was conducted to design, fabricate and test a durable, low cost, lightweight composite fan exit guide vane for high bypass ratio gas turbine engine application. Eight candidate material/design combinations were evaluated by NASTRAN finite element analysis. Four of these candidate systems were selected for composite vane fabrication by two vendors. A core and shell vane design was chosen in which the unidirectional graphite core fiber was the same for all candidates. The shell material, fiber orientation and ply configuration were varied. Material tests were performed on raw material and composite specimens to establish specification requirements. Composite vanes were nondestructively inspected and subsequently fatigue tested in both dry and 'wet' conditions. The program provided relevant data with respect to design analysis, materials properties, inspection standards, improved durability, weight benefits and part price of the composite fan exit guide vane.

Blecherman, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

ICCM/2; Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Composite Materials, Toronto, Canada, April 16-20, 1978

Composite materials are discussed with reference to their mechanical and physical properties, fatigue and fracture testing and analysis, nondestructive evaluation, fabrication, and commercial applications. Particular papers are presented on such topics as analysis of mechanical strength data from hybrid laminates of glass and graphite fibers, graphite-aluminum composites, the mechanical behavior of molybdenum-reinforced metal composites, and composite laminate application in magnetic fusion energy superconducting magnet systems.

Noton, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Demonstration of the Application of Composite Load Spectra (CLS) and Probabilistic Structural Analysis (PSAM) Codes to SSME Heat Exchanger Turnaround Vane

This report describes a probabilistic structural analysis performed to determine the probabilistic structural response under fluctuating random pressure loads for the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) turnaround vane. It uses a newly developed frequency and distance dependent correlation model that has features to model the decay phenomena along the flow and across the flow with the capability to introduce a phase delay. The analytical results are compared using two computer codes SAFER (Spectral Analysis of Finite Element Responses) and NESSUS (Numerical Evaluation of Stochastic Structures Under Stress) and with experimentally observed strain gage data. The computer code NESSUS with an interface to a sub set of Composite Load Spectra (CLS) code is used for the probabilistic analysis. A Fatigue code was used to calculate fatigue damage due to the random pressure excitation. The random variables modeled include engine system primitive variables that influence the operating conditions, convection velocity coefficient, stress concentration factor, structural damping, and thickness of the inner and outer vanes. The need for an appropriate correlation model in addition to magnitude of the PSD is emphasized. The study demonstrates that correlation characteristics even under random pressure loads are capable of causing resonance like effects for some modes. The study identifies the important variables that contribute to structural alternate stress response and drive the fatigue damage for the new design. Since the alternate stress for the new redesign is less than the endurance limit for the material, the damage due high cycle fatigue is negligible.

Rajagopal, Kadambi R.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Time-dependent deformation of titanium metal matrix composites

A three-dimensional finite element program called VISCOPAC was developed and used to conduct a micromechanics analysis of titanium metal matrix composites. The VISCOPAC program uses a modified Eisenberg-Yen thermo-viscoplastic constitutive model to predict matrix behavior under thermomechanical fatigue loading. The analysis incorporated temperature-dependent elastic properties in the fiber and temperature-dependent viscoplastic properties in the matrix. The material model was described and the necessary material constants were determined experimentally. Fiber-matrix interfacial behavior was analyzed using a discrete fiber-matrix model. The thermal residual stresses due to the fabrication cycle were predicted with a failed interface, The failed interface resulted in lower thermal residual stresses in the matrix and fiber. Stresses due to a uniform transverse load were calculated at two temperatures, room temperature and an elevated temperature of 650 C. At both temperatures, a large stress concentration was calculated when the interface had failed. The results indicate the importance of accuracy accounting for fiber-matrix interface failure and the need for a micromechanics-based analytical technique to understand and predict the behavior of titanium metal matrix composites.

Bigelow, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Failure and fatigue mechanisms in composite materials

A phenomenological description of microfailure under monotonic and cyclic loading is presented, emphasizing the significance of material inhomogeneity for the analysis. Failure in unnotched unidirectional laminates is reviewed for the cases of tension, compression, shear, transverse normal, and combined loads. The failure of notched composite laminates is then studied, with particular attention paid to the effect of material heterogeneity on load concentration factors in circular holes in such laminates, and a 'materials engineering' shear-lay type model is presented. The fatigue of notched composites is discussed with the application of 'mechanistic wearout' model for determining crack propagation as a function of the number of fatigue cycles.-

Rosen, B. W.↗