Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

This article summarizes the work undertaken during the period 2007–2008 by the Materials and Structures task within FLAVIIR. The aim was to examine how much structural testing could be realistically replaced by simulation. The aim was to employ a finite-element (FE) code that could be used as a design tool by non-experts in FE technology. The non-linear software code used is ABAQUS and it was found that the complex features, in tests of many composite structures to failure, were simulated well and agreed with the experimental tests. Examples quoted are a ‘T’ stiffener bonded to a skin, and a joint bolting a composite skin to a metallic substructure. One of the problems to be overcome is the apparent need for tiny FEs representing the interfaces at an opening crack/debond/delamination. Solutions are suggested.

Keywords

composite structures finite-element code failure simulation

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Hellen

T. K.

‘On the method of virtual crack extension’

Int. J. Numer. Methods Engng 9 (1975): 147–207

Davies

G. A. O.

Ankersen

‘Virtual testing of realistic aerospace composite structures’

J. Mater. Sci. 43 (2008): 6586–6592

Guiamatsia

Ankersen

Davies

G. A. O.

Iannucci

‘Decohesion finite element with enriched basis functions for delamination’

Compos. Sci. Technol. 69 (2009): 2616–2624

Guiamatsia

Falzon

Davies

G. A. O.

Iannucci

‘Element-free Galerkin modelling of cohesive crack propagation in composite laminates.’ In Proceedings of the ICTAM Congress, Adelaide, Australia, 2008.

Guiamatsia

Falzon

B. G.

Davies

G. A. O.

Iannucci

‘Meshless modelling of composite laminates.’ In Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Composite Materials, Edinburgh, UK, 2009.

Robinson

Besant

Hitchings

‘Delamination growth prediction using a finite element approach.’ In Proceedings of the Second ESISTC4 Conference on Polymers and Composites, Les Diablerets, Switzerland, 1999.

Guiamatsia

Falzon

B. G.

Davies

G. A. O.

‘Automatic insertion of cohesive elements for delamination modelling’

Key Engng Mater. 383 (2008): 53–66

Guiamatsia

Falzon

B. G.

Davies

G. A. O.

Robinson

‘Improving composite damage modelling through automatic placement of cohesive elements.’ In Proceedings of the 49th AIAA Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, Schaumburg, Illinois, 2008.

Replacement of industrial testing composite structures by simulation

Abstract

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References