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At least 145 records · Page 8

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NASA NTRS1984

Analysis of local delaminations and their influence on composite laminate behavior

An equation was derived for the strain energy release rate, G, associated with local delamination growth from a matrix ply crack. The critical GC for edge delamination onset in 25/902s graphite epoxy laminates was measured and used in this equation to predict local delamination onset strains in 25/90ns, n = 4, 6, 8 laminates. A simple technique for predicting strain concentrations in the primary load bearing plies near local delaminations was developed. These strain concentrations were responsible for reduced laminate nominal failure strains in laminates containing local delaminations. The influence of edge delamination and matrix crack tip delamination on laminate stiffness and strength was compared.

Obrien, T. K.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Composite laminates with negative through-the-thickness Poisson's ratios

A simple analysis using two dimensional lamination theory combined with the appropriate three dimensional anisotropic constitutive equation is presented to show some rather surprising results for the range of values of the through-the-thickness effective Poisson's ratio nu sub xz for angle ply laminates. Results for graphite-epoxy show that the through-the-thickness effective Poisson's ratio can range from a high of 0.49 for a 90 laminate to a low of -0.21 for a + or - 25s laminate. It is shown that negative values of nu sub xz are also possible for other laminates.

Carl T. Herakovich↗

NASA NTRS1983

A numerical procedure for predicting creep and delayed failures in laminated composites

A numerical procedure is described for predicting the viscoelastic response of general laminates. A nonlinear compliance model is used to predict the creep response of the individual laminae. A biaxial delayed failure model predicts ply failure. The numerical procedure, based on lamination theory, increases by increments through time to predict creep compliance and delayed failures in laminates. Numerical stability problems and experimental verification are discussed. Although the program has been quite successful in predicting creep of general laminates, the assumptions associated with lamination theory have resulted in erroneous bounds on the predicted material response. Delayed failure predictions have been conservative. Several improvements are suggested to increase the accuracy of the procedure.

Dillard, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Elasticity solutions for a class of composite laminate problems with stress singularities

A study on the fundamental mechanics of fiber-reinforced composite laminates with stress singularities is presented. Based on the theory of anisotropic elasticity and Lekhnitskii's complex-variable stress potentials, a system of coupled governing partial differential equations are established. An eigenfunction expansion method is introduced to determine the orders of stress singularities in composite laminates with various geometric configurations and material systems. Complete elasticity solutions are obtained for this class of singular composite laminate mechanics problems. Homogeneous solutions in eigenfunction series and particular solutions in polynomials are presented for several cases of interest. Three examples are given to illustrate the method of approach and the basic nature of the singular laminate elasticity solutions. The first problem is the well-known laminate free-edge stress problem, which has a rather weak stress singularity. The second problem is the important composite delamination problem, which has a strong crack-tip stress singularity. The third problem is the commonly encountered bonded composite joints, which has a complex solution structure with moderate orders of stress singularities.

Wang, S. S.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Effect of microcracks on the thermal expansion of composite laminates

A finite element analysis was used to quantitatively predict the effect of matrix microcracks in the 90 deg plies of graphite/epoxy composites on the coefficient of thermal expansion in the 0 deg direction, alpha (y) (perpendicular to the cracks). Results were generated for (0m/90n)s, (0/+ or 45/90)s and (0/90/ + or - 45)s graphite/epoxy laminate configurations. Analytical predictions were compared with experimental results for the two quasi-isotropic laminate configurations. Both analytical and experimental results showed that microcracks reduced the effective stiffness of the 90 deg plies, thus causing the laminates, thermal response to be more like that of a (0) laminate. The change in alpha(y) was a function of lamina material properties, microcrack density, fiber orientation, and stacking sequence. A combination of classical lamination theory and finite element analysis was used to predict the effect of microcracks in both the 90 deg and 0 deg plies. Analytical results showed that the addition of microcracks in the 0 deg plies do affect alpha(y), but to a lesser extent than those in the 90 deg plies.

Bowles, D. E.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Composite laminate optimization program suitable for microcomputers

The design of a composite panel requires some way of finding the minimum thickness laminate which will withstand the load requirements without failure. The mathematical complexity of this problem dictates the use of nonlinear optimization techniques. Specialized laminate optimization programs were developed which are compact and efficient enough to run on microcomputers. Only stresses at a point and inplane loads and deflections are considered. The programs are simple to use and require no knowledge of optimization. Techniques are developed which find minimum thickness laminates with either ply ratios or ply angles as design variables. A method is presented for finding the optimum orientation for the axis of symmetry of an orthotropic laminate. The orthotropic laminate program uses an approximate failure theory, which speed up computations dramatically.

Flanagan, G. V.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Composite laminates with negative through-the-thickness Poisson's ratios

A simple analysis using two-dimensional lamination theory combined with the appropriate three-dimensional anisotropic constitutive equation is presented to show some rather surprising results for the range of values of the through-the-thickness effective Poisson's ratio nu sub xz for angle ply laminates. Results for graphite-epoxy show that the through-the-thickness effective Poisson's ratio can range from a high of 0.49 for a 90 laminate to a low of -0.21 for a + or - 25s laminate. It is shown that negative values of nu sub xz are also possible for other laminates.

Herakovich, C. T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

On the use of crack-tip-opening displacement to predict the fracture strength of notched graphite/epoxy laminates

Using the center-cracked tension specimen geometry, the fracture strength of notched graphite/epoxy laminates is measured experimentally. Four replicate tests are conducted for a variety of laminate-stacking sequences, thicknesses, and notch lengths. Extensive notch-tip damage prior to fracture is characteristic of most laminates. The values of critical crack-tip-opening displacement (CTOD) are calculated from values of crack-opening displacement measured at the notch center line at failure and are found to be independent of notch size for the laminates studied. A Dugdale (1950) model is used along with the estimated CTOD to predict notched laminate strength.

Harris, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Autoclave processing for composite material fabrication. 1: An analysis of resin flows and fiber compactions for thin laminate

High quality long fiber reinforced composites, such as those used in aerospace and industrial applications, are commonly processed in autoclaves. An adequate resin flow model for the entire system (laminate/bleeder/breather), which provides a description of the time-dependent laminate consolidation process, is useful in predicting the loss of resin, heat transfer characteristics, fiber volume fraction and part dimension, etc., under a specified set of processing conditions. This could be accomplished by properly analyzing the flow patterns and pressure profiles inside the laminate during processing. A newly formulated resin flow model for composite prepreg lamination process is reported. This model considers viscous resin flows in both directions perpendicular and parallel to the composite plane. In the horizontal direction, a squeezing flow between two nonporous parallel plates is analyzed, while in the vertical direction, a poiseuille type pressure flow through porous media is assumed. Proper force and mass balances have been made and solved for the whole system. The effects of fiber-fiber interactions during lamination are included as well. The unique features of this analysis are: (1) the pressure gradient inside the laminate is assumed to be generated from squeezing action between two adjacent approaching fiber layers, and (2) the behavior of fiber bundles is simulated by a Finitely Extendable Nonlinear Elastic (FENE) spring.

Hou, T. H.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Analysis of local delaminations and their influence on composite laminate behavior

Obrien, T. K.↗

NASA NTRS1986

A comparison of the fracture behavior of thick laminated composites utilizing compact tension, three-point bend, and center-cracked tension specimens

An experimental study of the effects of specimen configuration and laminate thickness on the fracture behavior of notched laminated composites is presented. The behavior of (0/+, 45/90)ns, (0/90)ns and (0/+, - 45)ns graphite/epoxy T300/5208 laminates was studied. When fracture toughness was computed at the failing load of the center-cracked tension specimen, laminate thickness significantly influenced fracture toughness. If fracture toughness was computed at the interception of the 5 percent secant line with the load-COD record, fracture toughness was found to be independent of both laminate thickness and specimen configuration. Defined in this manner, fracture toughness can be physically interpreted as an indicator of the onset of significant notch-tip damage.

Harris, C. E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A higher-order theory for geometrically nonlinear analysis of composite laminates

A third-order shear deformation theory of laminated composite plates and shells is developed, the Navier solutions are derived, and its finite element models are developed. The theory allows parabolic description of the transverse shear stresses, and therefore the shear correction factors of the usual shear deformation theory are not required in the present theory. The theory also accounts for the von Karman nonlinear strains. Closed-form solutions of the theory for rectangular cross-ply and angle-ply plates and cross-ply shells are developed. The finite element model is based on independent approximations of the displacements and bending moments (i.e., mixed finite element model), and therefore, only C sup o -approximation is required. The finite element model is used to analyze cross-ply and angle-ply laminated plates and shells for bending and natural vibration. Many of the numerical results presented here should serve as references for future investigations. Three major conclusions resulted from the research: First, for thick laminates, shear deformation theories predict deflections, stresses and vibration frequencies significantly different from those predicted by classical theories. Second, even for thin laminates, shear deformation effects are significant in dynamic and geometrically nonlinear analyses. Third, the present third-order theory is more accurate compared to the classical and firt-order theories in predicting static and dynamic response of laminated plates and shells made of high-modulus composite materials.

Reddy, J. N.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Dynamic delamination buckling in composite laminates under impact loading: Computational simulation

A unique dynamic delamination buckling and delamination propagation analysis capability has been developed and incorporated into a finite element computer program. This capability consists of the following: (1) a modification of the direct time integration solution sequence which provides a new analysis algorithm that can be used to predict delamination buckling in a laminate subjected to dynamic loading, and (2) a new method of modeling the composite laminate using plate bending elements and multipoint constraints. This computer program is used to predict both impact induced buckling in composite laminates with initial delaminations and the strain energy release rate due to extension of the delamination. It is shown that delaminations near the outer surface of a laminate are susceptible to local buckling and buckling-induced delamination propagation when the laminate is subjected to transverse impact loading. The capability now exists to predict the time at which the onset of dynamic delamination buckling occurs, the dynamic buckling mode shape, and the dynamic delamination strain energy release rate.

Grady, Joseph E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Simulated impact damage in a thick graphite/epoxy laminate using spherical indenters

A study was made to determine the extent of fiber damage caused by low-velocity impact of spherical impactors to a very thick graphite/epoxy laminate. The laminate was cut from a filament wound case being developed for the Space Shuttle solid rocket motors. The case was wound using a wet process with AS4W graphite fiber and HBRF-55A epoxy. Impacts were simulated under quasi-static conditions by pressing hemispherically shaped indenters against the laminate at different locations. The contact force and indenter diameter were varied from location to location. The forces were chosen for each indenter diameter to produce contact pressures below and above that required to initiate damage. After the forces were applied, the laminate was cut into smaller pieces so that each piece contained a test site. The pieces were then deplied and the individual plies examined to determine the extent of fiber damage. Broken fibers were found in the outer layers directly beneath the contact site. The locus of broken fibers in each layer resembled a crack normal to the direction of the fibers. The maximum length and depth of the cracks increased with increasing contact pressure and indenter diameter. The internal stresses in the laminate were calculated using Hertz's law and Love's solution for pressure applied on part of the boundary of a semi-infinite body. The maximum length and depth of the cracks were predicted using a maximum shear stress criterion. Predictions and measurements were in good agreement.

Poe, C. C., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Fatigue damage development of various CFRP-laminates

The chronic strength and fatigue behavior of a woven carbon-fiber reinforced laminate in a balanced eight-shaft satin weave style was compared to nonwoven laminates with an equivalent cross-ply layup. Half the fibers were arranged in the direction of the load and the other half perpendicular to it. Two types of nonwoven laminates consisting of continuous fibers and aligned discontinuous fibers, both produced from carbon fiber prepregs, were studied. The cross-ply laminate with continuous fiber showed the best characteristics with regard to both static strength and fatigue. The similarities and differences in damage mechanisms in the laminates are described.

Schulte, K.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Three dimensional thermal stresses in angle-ply composite laminates

The room temperature stress distributions and shapes of a family of angle ply graphite/epoxy laminates have been obtained using a three-dimensional linear finite element analysis. The sensitivity of the corners to fiber angle variations is examined, in addition to the errors introduced by assuming planes of symmetry which do not exist in angle-ply laminates. The results show that angle ply laminates with 'clustered' plies will tend to delaminate at diagonally opposite corners, and that matrix cracks in this family of laminates will be initiated in the laminate interior.

Griffin, O. Hayden, Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The strength of laminated composite materials under repeated impact loading

When low velocity and energy impact is exerted on a laminated composite material, in a perpendicular direction to the plane of the laminate, invisible damage may develop. It is shown analytically and experimentally that the invisible damage occurs during the first stage of contact between the impactor and the laminate and is a result of the contact stresses. However, the residual flexural strength changes only slightly, because it depends mainly on the outer layers, and these remain undamaged. Repeated impact intensifies the damage inside the laminate and causes larger bending under equivalent impact load. Finally, when the damage is most severe, even though it is still invisible, the laminate fails because of bending on the tension side. If the repeated impact is halted before final fracture occurs the residual strength and modulus would decrease by a certain amount.

Rotem, Assa↗

NASA NTRS1988

Tension fatigue analysis and life prediction for composite laminates

A tension fatigue life prediction methodology for composite laminates is presented. Tension fatigue tests were conducted on quasi-isotropic and orthotropic glass epoxy, graphite epoxy, and glass/graphite epoxy hybrid laminates. Edge delamination onset data were used to generate plots of strain energy release rate as a function of cycles to delamination onset. These plots were then used along with strain energy release rate analyses of delaminations initiating at matrix cracks to predict local delamination onset. Stiffness loss was measured experimentally to account for the accumulation of matrix cracks and for delamination growth. Fatigue failure was predicted by comparing the increase in global strain resulting from stiffness loss to the decrease in laminate failure strain resulting from delaminations forming at matrix cracks through the laminate thickness. Good agreement between measured and predicted lives indicated that the through-thickness damage accumulation model can accurately describe fatigue failure for laminates where the delamination onset behavior in fatigue is well characterized, and stiffness loss can be monitored in real time to account for damage growth.

Obrien, T. K.↗