A Semi-Analytical Approach for Predicting the Stresses and Failure Modes of Composite Lugs

Lugs are a specific type of joint with a semi-circular geometry around the pinhole utilized in the aerospace field. Its distinct geometry and ability to carry loads in its plane make it a very common choice for design engineers. Although this type of joint is widely used, there are no analytical equations that can predict the stresses around the...

An Analytical Method for Predicting Delamination Onset and Growth induced by Matrix Cracks under Quasi-Static loading

An analytical model for the onset and growth of delaminations induced by matrix cracks under static loading is proposed. The model introduces four distinct configurations of delaminations originating from crack tips, which are applicable to cross-ply and general symmetrical laminates subjected to tension or tension + shear.<br/><br/>The...

Characterization of High Fiber Volume Fraction Glass Pultruded Plates for Wind Turbine Blades

In recent years, the wind energy industry shows more and more interest in composite materials manufactured with a new process called pultrusion. The advantage of pultruded composite plates includes high fiber volume fraction, low price and simplified blade manufacturing. However, pultruded plates are fully cured and crosslinking is absent at...

Constitutive modeling and characterization of C/C-SiC CMC material

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are advanced materials that consist of a ceramic matrix reinforced with a high-strength, high-stiffness material, such as carbon fibers. They offer excellent thermal and chemical stability while exhibiting low weight and exceptional mechanical properties. A novel CMC material is the C/C-SiC produced with 2/2...

Manufacturing and Mechanical Testing of Composite T-Joints with Carbon Nanotube Interleaves

In recent decades, fibre-reinforced polymer composite structures have seen increased aerospace applications. A typical composite structural element widely used in primary load-bearing aircraft components is the T-joint, which is formed when two orthogonal laminates are joined in a T-shaped arrangement to enable out-of-plane load transfer. Under...

4D Printing Magnetically Activated Shape Morphing Objects

Magnetic Soft (shape memory) Materials (MSM for short) are a form of shape memory hybrid in which the shape change is initiated by magnetic particles embedded in an elastomer matrix. When an external magnetic field is applied, these magnetized particles will align themselves to this magnetic field, straining the elastomer in a specific shape....

The effect of thermal fatigue on mechanical properties of thermoset composites

Composite structures are used more frequently in newly designed aircrafts. This results in new difficulties compared to conventional metals during operational life. Especially, the material properties of two different materials can cause side effects, which are unwanted in a structure, for example thermal stresses. Many reports have been written...

Designing Magnetic Soft Materials for 4D Printing

Magnetic soft materials are a newly developed material that can transform into programmed shapes when it is placed in an external magnetic field. It is made out of silicone with embedded magnetic particles that lay in magnetization patterns due to 3D printing them under a magnetic field. Its characteristics are fast, remotely controlled,...

Characterizing Interwoven: Testing and Modeling Root-Textiles

Interwoven refers to material structures made by growing plant roots into man-made patterns. Originally developed as an art piece to demonstrate root intelligence and bring attention to human-nature relations, Interwoven shows the potential to disrupt various commercial industries, especially as textile-based natural fiber reinforcements for...

Effect of Rapid Laser Deconsolidation on Intimate Contact Development

L-AFP is able to place composite tapes in very precise directions, thereby allowing tailored stiffness designs. The laser is used to heat the thermoplastic matrix material to temperatures above its melting point. CF/PEEK is a popular choice for aerospace grade structures due to the high structural performance and high glass transition and...

Modelling of Spar Cap Shear Web Assembly to Identify and Localize Damage

Wind energy is one of the cleanest methods of producing electricity. It plays a major role in the transition towards green energy. It is estimated that the installed capacity of wind energy will cover more than 6 % of total global electricity demand by the end of 2019. As the demand grows the requirement for bigger wind turbine also grows. Each...

Surrogate Constitutive Models with Multi-fidelity Gaussian Processes for Composite Micromodels

Various engineering applications rely on efficient, high performance materials to overcome design challenges. This high performance can be achieved by engineering micro-heterogenous materials also known as composites. Since the behavior of composites relies heavily on micro-scale interactions between different components, modeling...