Panel stiffener debonding analysis using a shell/3D modeling technique

A shear loaded, stringer reinforced composite panel is analyzed to evaluate the fidelity of computational fracture mechanics analyses of complex structures. Shear loading causes the panel to buckle. The resulting out-of-plane deformations initiate skin/stringer separation at the location of an embedded defect. The panel and surrounding load fixture were modeled with shell elements. A small section of the stringer foot, web and noodle as well as the panel skin near the delamination front were modeled with a local 3D solid model. Across the width of the stringer foot, the mixed-mode strain energy release rates were calculated using the virtual crack closure technique. A failure index was calculated by correlating the results with a mixed-mode failure criterion of the graphite/epoxy material. The objective was to study the effect of the fidelity of the local 3D finite element model on the computed mixed-mode strain energy release rates and the failure index.     

基于模具-制件相互作用的复合材料制件固化变形数值模型

针对复合材料制件在成型过程中的固化变形这一关键技术问题,通过在模具与复合材料制件之间引入剪切层的方法,建立了预测复合材料制件固化变形的解析计算模型和有限元仿真模型。剪切层的剪切模量用来衡量固化过程中模具与复合材料制件之间的相互作用,其数值大小通过与实验数据进行比对而得到。基于建立的固化变形模型,与文献中已有的实验结果进行了比较。结果表明:所建立的模型具有较高的可靠性。同时针对L型复合材料制件建立了三维有限元仿真模型,模型中除考虑材料各向异性和化学收缩效应以外,还将成型过程中模具与复合材料制件间的相互作用考虑在内。模拟结果表明:引入模具作用后L型零件的固化变形预测结果更加准确。      

基于高阶剪切理论的复合材料格栅夹层板弯曲特性

基于高阶剪切弯曲理论,对含有软质芯材的复合材料格栅夹层板的弯曲特性进行了理论研究。基于能量法,推导了含有软质芯材的复合材料格栅的等效弹性参数计算式;基于高阶剪切弯曲理论,推导了夹层板的弯曲平衡微分方程,并采用Navier方法,给出了分布载荷作用下四边简支、上下表层为对称正交铺层的夹层板弯曲问题的理论解;用算例对典型格栅夹层板的理论解和有限元仿真解进行了对比,两者误差为7.1%,验证了本文理论方法的正确性;并分析了夹层板跨厚比、格栅厚度、格栅复合材料铺层角度、格栅间距等参量对含有软质芯材的典型复合材料格栅夹层板弯曲挠度的影响规律。      

Thermoforming woodfibre–polypropylene composite sheets

Thermoforming of woodfibre–polypropylene composite sheets made without any modification of the fibres or the polymer is the focus of this paper, the emphasis being on their formability and the associated issues. Both the degree to which a material conforms to the desired part geometry after deformation and the extent to which a sheet material may be deformed before unacceptable defects occur are considered. Four thermoforming processes such as V-bending, die-match forming, air pressure forming and deep drawing have been utilised to examine both single-curvature and double-curvature deformation conditions. The technique of Grid Strain Analysis (GSA) has been applied to quantify differences in strain distributions during sheet deformation. The effects of thermoforming process parameters and sheet composition on sheet formability are also discussed. Notably, this study considers composite sheets reinforced with wood fibres rather than woodflour, enabling the study of fibre layup and fibre interlocking effects. While the tensile strengths of the composite sheets increase marginally the stiffnesses increase significantly compared to those of unreinforced polypropylene. The key deformation mechanism for layered woodfibre–polypropylene composite sheets is inter-ply shear while intra-ply shear dominates the deformation of homogeneous sheets. Forming temperature and blank size have the most pronounced effects on the formability of these composite sheets.     

C<Superscript>0</Superscript>-type global–local theory with non-zero normal strain for the analysis of thick multilayer composite plates

In this paper, an accurate and efficient C⁰-type third-order global–local model incorporating effects of the transverse normal strain is proposed to study the thermal/mechanical behaviors of thick multilayer cross-ply plates. Transverse displacement is assumed to be a linear distribution through the thickness direction, for which the normal strain could be readily computed. Based on the interlaminar continuity conditions of in-plane displacement and transverse shear stresses, layer-dependent variables could be reduced. Employing shear stress free condition at the upper and the lower surfaces, derivatives of transverse displacement are eliminated from the displacement field, so that C⁰ interpolation functions are only required for the finite element implementation. As a result, the number of variables is independent of the number of layers of the laminate. To assess the proposed model, the classical quadratic eight-node isoparametric element is used for the interpolation of all the displacement parameters defined at each nodal point on the composite plate. Comparing with various existing composite plate models, it is found that simple C⁰ finite elements with non-zero normal strain could produce accurate deformations and stresses of thick multilayer composite plates subjected to thermal and mechanical loads.     

Cohesive zone model for the prediction of interfacial shear stresses in a composite-plate RC beam with an intermediate flexural crack

In this paper, an analytical method is developed to predict the distribution of interfacial shear stresses in concrete beams strengthened by composite plates. Accurate predictions of such stresses are necessary when designing to prevent debonding induced by a central flexural crack in a FRP-plated reinforced concrete (RC) beam. In the present analysis, a new theoretical model based on the bi-linear cohesive zone model for intermediate crack-induced debonding is established, with the unique feature of unifying debonding initiation and growth. Adherent shear deformations have been included in the present theoretical analyses by assuming a parabolic shear stress through the thickness of the adherents, verifying the cubic variation of the longitudinal displacement function, whereas all existing solutions neglect this effect. The results obtained for interfacial shear stress distribution near the crack are compared to the Jialai Wang analytical model and the numerical solutions are based on finite element analysis. Parametric studies are carried out to demonstrate the effect of the mechanical properties and thickness variations of FRP, concrete and adhesive on interface debonding. Indeed, the softening zone size is considerably larger than that obtained by other models which neglect adherent shear deformations. However, loads at the limit of the softening and debonding stages are larger than those calculated without the thickness effect. Consequently, debonding at the interface becomes less apparent and the lifespan of our structure is greater.     

Investigation of failure mechanisms in GFRP sandwich structures with face sheet wrinkle defects used for wind turbine blades

Wrinkle defects can be formed during the production of wind turbine blades consisting of composite monolithic and sandwich laminates. Earlier studies have shown that the in-plane compressive strength of a sandwich panel with wrinkle defects may decrease dramatically. This study focuses on the failure modes of sandwich specimens consisting of thick GFRP face sheets with a wrinkle defect and a balsa wood core subjected to in-plane compression loading. Three distinct modes of failure were found, and the strain distributions leading up to these failures were established by use of digital image correlation (DIC). Finite element analyses were subsequently conducted to model the response of the test specimens prior to failure, and generally a very good agreement was found with the DIC measurements, although slight differences between the predicted and measured strain fields were observed in the local strain values around the wrinkle defect. The Northwestern University (NU) failure criterion was applied to predict failure initiation, and a good correlation with the experimental observations was achieved.     

A Polycrystal Model to Evaluate Mechanical Properties of Asymmetrically Rolled AL Sheets

The asymmetric rolling process (ASR) differs from conventional rolling (CR) through the use of different roll circumferential velocities. Using proper parameters, asymmetric rolling imposes intense shear deformations across the sheet thickness, leading not only to the occurrence of shear texture, but also to grain refinement [1]. Some shear texture components are known to improve plastic strain ratio values, and consequently formability. In Simões et al. [4], a AA1050-O sheet was asymmetrically rolled and annealed. Shear texture was obtained, as opposed to typical gamma-fiber texture obtained on sheets rolled through the conventional process. Shear tests were used to evaluate strength and formability. A polycrystal plasticity model, as formulated by Gambin [2] and implemented by Alves de Sousa [3], was employed to evaluate texture evolution and to give a sounding theoretical basis for the improved mechanical properties on sheets after the process. For FCC materials, this approach avoids the uniqueness issue related to the choice of the set of active slip systems by applying a regularized Schmid Law. Consequently, it generates yield surfaces with smooth corners where the normal vector is always uniquely defined. In the following sections, implementation guidelines are given. The accuracy of simulation results and the advantages of the asymmetric rolling process, when compared to conventional rolling, are the main topics of discussion.     

Modeling of irradiation hardening of polycrystalline materials

High energy particle irradiation of structural polycrystalline materials usually produces irradiation hardening and embrittlement. The development of predictive capability for the influence of irradiation on mechanical behavior is very important in materials design for next-generation reactors. A multiscale approach was implemented in this work to predict irradiation hardening of iron based structural materials. In the microscale, dislocation dynamics models were used to predict the critical resolved shear stress from the evolution of local dislocation and defects. In the macroscale, a viscoplastic self-consistent model was applied to predict the irradiation hardening in samples with changes in texture. The effects of defect density and texture were investigated. Simulated evolution of yield strength with irradiation agrees well with the experimental data of irradiation strengthening of stainless steel 304L, 316L and T91. This multiscale modeling can provide a guidance tool in performance evaluation of structural materials for next-generation nuclear reactors.