Multiple healing in multi-functional polymer composites

In this work, we investigate the formation of self-healing systems that are able to recover more than once more than one (mechanical or other physical) functionality. To this aim composites were created consisting of a polysulfide thermoset rubber matrix having intrinsic self-healing properties filled with thermally/electrically conductive...

Evaluation of conjugate, radial heat transfer in an internally insulated composite pipe

In order to compete with steel, a fibre-reinforced composite exhaust wall with a general-purpose resin system requires an effective but lightweight insulation layer. However a lack of experimental methods for heat transfer from turbulent gas flow to pipe walls lined with a porous insulation layer was discovered in literature. Such a test method...

Buckling Analysis of Grid-Stiffened Composite Shells

There is a renewed interest in grid-stiffened composite structures; they are not only competitive with conventional stiffened constructions and sandwich shells in terms of weight but also enjoy superior damage tolerance properties. In this paper, both global and local structural instabilities are investigated for grid-stiffened composite panels...

Sandwich fuselage design

Three Dimensional Simulation of Fabric Draping

A Multidisciplinary Optimization of Composite Space Enclosures

A design methodology for composite space enclosures was generated. As a result a panel of an electronics housing structure, as part of a general satellite traversing both GEO and LEO, was designed and optimized. A mass saving of 18% was achieved over a conventional aluminum panel, while assuring structural integrity for acceleration loads,...

Stress Analysis and Failure Prediction for Orthotropic Plates with Holes

To allow structural designs with lower mass, it is necessary to have access to accurate failure prediction theories for composite plates with holes subjected to arbitrary loading conditions. For design purposes, however, the most accurate failure theories require a considerable amount of computational resources which is often not available....

The Degradation of Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Epoxy Composites under Fusion Bonding Conditions

In the aircraft industry there is an increasing need for cost-effective assembly methods for dissimilar thermoplastic/thermosetting composites. Fusion bonding provides a good alternative to mechanical fastening, and may be applied to thermosetting composites by using a thermoplastic interlayer. The research project ‘HyPoComp’ at Delft University...

Influence of stiffeners on a variable stiffness laminate optimisation

Engineers are still looking for ways to improve the performance of materials used in aircraft. A major step was going from metal parts to laminates in order to save weight significantly. Those laminates existed of fibres with a constant orientation, and became laminates with changing fibre directions. Variable stiffness laminates (VSL) are used...

Evaluation of a Lightweight Composite Bottom Plate for Air Cargo Containers

Air cargo containers are used to load luggage, freight, and mail on aircraft. They allow a large quantity of cargo to be bundled into a single unit. This study aims to investigate the replacement of the current 14,1kg aluminium floor with a 40% lighter composite in Nordisk containers. The result of these weight savings are yearly cost reductions...

Aircraft maintenance cost modelling considering the influence of design parameters

About 70-85% of commercial aircraft Life Cycle Cost (LCC) is determined during the design stage of the aircraft. Aircraft maintenance is a vital process within aircraft operation and it takes around 15% of LCC. The present day aviation market drives the airlines to reduce the maintenance cost as much as possible. The current maintenance cost...

Semi-Analytical Solution to Buckling of Variable-Stiffness Composite Panels (Plates and Shallow Cylindrical Shells)

Variable-stiffness panels have previously shown enhanced buckling performance compared to constant-stiffness panels, due to the beneficial load and stiffness redistribution. Two semianalytical models based on the Galerkin method and the Ritz method have been developed in order to solve the buckling problem of variable-stiffness composite panels ...

Development of an in-panel attachment method for fiber-placed composite lattice and grid-stiffened structures

Composite grid-stiffened and lattice structures have been the focus of an increasing amount of research over the past decades, mainly because of their excellent structural performance. Most of the previous and current research focuses on analysis, manufacturing, and optimization of the base structure. Although more and more is becoming known...