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Damage and Failure Analysis of Composite Materials
Much of the research done at ARA is related to the analysis of damage and failure of materials and structures. As a result, ARA has a unique combination of analytical and experimental capabilities that can be applied for diverse problems in failure analysis and prevention.
Applied Research Associates has extensive capabilities in the analysis of strength and failure behavior of composite materials under a variety of loads. Much of this research has concentrated on the behavior of the composites beyond the threshold of damage initiation. Loading conditions include biaxial or multiaxial loads on composite materials or structures. Dynamic behavior of composite materials and structures from impact or blast loads have also been studied.
The composite material research capabilities at ARA include material characterization, composite structures analysis, material constitutive and damage model development, and application of composite materials for severe environments such as blast or fragment containment, lightweight armor, or crashworthiness
Related Showcase Projects
Characterization of Metal Matrix Composites. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are materials developed for high strength, damage tolerance, and high temperature resistance. A program was performed to characterize of the mechanical and failure behavior of MMCs under multiaxial loads. The program contained both experiments to measure the deformation and failure of the MMC under various loading conditions and development of a constitutive and failure model.
Progressive Damage Modeling of Polymer Matrix Composites. Polymer matrix composites are subject to a variety of damage and failure modes such as matrix cracking and fiber failure when subjected to loads above the damage threshold. Damage modes such as matrix cracking can become progressively worse and degrade the material properties, without resulting in an ultimate failure, as the loads are increased. The objective of this study was to implement progressive damage models into the finite element code DYNA3D for analysis of damage and failure of composite structures.
Analyses of composite panels subjected to bird strike loading. Aircraft engines must be designed to survive bird strike loading without catastrophic failures. An important consideration of including composite compressor blades in an engine design is the ability to survive bird strike loading conditions. In this study we analyzed the response of composite panels to bird strike loading. This configuration was used as an evaluation test for candidate compressor blade materials.
Viscoelastic Behavior of a Rubber-Toughened Composite with Growing Microstructural Damage. Rubber-toughened composites have a complex constitutive behavior that is nonlinear and time-dependent. The constitutive behavior is further complicated by a variety of softening mechanisms which may evolve concurrently. An experimental study was developed and performed to determine the relative effects of the softening mechanisms for a given material. The major focus is on separating the intrinsic softening effect of stress from that of damage. This approach may be used as a screening process of potential materials for a given application. The data obtained can also be used for development or validation of a constitutive theory.
For inquiries or comments, please contact:
Dr. Steven Kirkpatrick
Principal Engineer
e-mail: skirkpatrick@ara.com
Dr. Robert T. Bocchieri
Principal Engineer
e-mail: rbocchieri@ara.com
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