Design and Analysis

The Polymer Matrix Composites Group has developed a comprehensive set of specialized design and analysis tools for composite structures. These tools consist of both in-house developed and commercial software programs that can solve a wide spectrum of analytical problems. The methodologies and theories range from micro-mechanics to classical laminated plates or shells to full three-dimensional anisotropic elasticity. The analytical tools are frequently used to predict performance of composite structures by applying appropriate failure failures in conjunction with detailed and accurate ply-by-ply stress analyses.

In-House Developed Codes

  • BARL - Pure bending of a laminated curved bar with cylindrical anisotropy
  • CCAPR - Anisotropic elasticity solution for a thick laminated composite cylinder under axisymmetric loads including rotational velocity and interference fits
  • CRAPR - Anisotropic elasticity solution for a thick laminated composite ring under axisymmetric loads including rotational velocity and interference fits
  • CYBUTS - Composite buckling analysis based on laminated shell theory with transverse shear deformations
  • LBEAM - Elasticity solution for thick laminated beams subjected to 3- or 4-point bending
  • CELL - Composite micromechanics model for effective properties using the method of cells
  • TLAP - Stress analysis of a tubular adhesive lap joint with yield criteria
  • SPLITD - Anisotropic elasticity solution for anisotropic ring stretched by rigid half-disks
  • PROP3D - Three-dimensional effective constants for thick laminates
  • PFIT - Calculates press-fit assembly loads as a function of engagement between two concentric composite cylinders
  • SACABR - Anisotropic elasticity solution for a thick laminated composite cylinder under general loads including nonaxisymmetric loads

Commerical Codes

  • EMRC NISA - General purpose finite element code
  • ABAQUS - General purpose finite element code
  • CTH - Finite difference code for modeling ballistic and shock physic problems

 

Finite element analysis of an adhesive bonded composite hat section

Ballistic penetration prediction using CTH

Finite element analysis of a mixed mode fracture test with composite adherends

 

Maximum shear stress in the split-disk test method as a function of ring radius/thickness ratio and degree of composite material anisotropy.

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