Theoretical analysis of fatigue failure in mechanically fastened Fibre Metal Laminate joints containing multiple cracks

Mechanically fastened joints are susceptible to the presence of multiple-site damage (MSD) cracks in the critical fastener row. Different from the MSD growth in joints consisting of metallic substrates, the two coupled metal crack growth and interfacial delamination propagation failure mechanisms in Fibre Metal Laminates (FMLs) make the...

Distortions and Residual Stresses of GLARE Induced by Manufacturing

GLARE is used in fuselage panels for its improved fatigue and residual strength. In this thesis, predictive models are developed for residual stresses and distortions of GLARE induced by manufacturing. Material behaviour of the epoxy adhesive and the glass-epoxy prepreg is characterised for thermal and curing circumstances. The derived...

Lay-up Optimisation of Fibre Metal Laminates: Development of a Design Methodology for Wing Structures

The lower wing skin is one of the primary structures of an aircraft. To further improve the fatigue and damage tolerance (F&DT) performance of the lower wing, fibre metal laminates (FML) are proposed as a new material solution. FML consist of thin metal layers bonded with layers of fibre composites. This concept has potentially a large design...

Fatigue Crack and Delamination Growth in Fibre Metal Laminates under Variable Amplitude Loading

This thesis presents the investigation into the fatigue propagation and delamination growth of Fibre Metal Laminates under variable amplitude loading. As explained in the first chapter, the motivation of the research is twofold: first, to obtain a clear understanding and detailed characterization of the failure mechanisms in GLARE under variable...

Recycling of Glass Fibre Reinforced Aluminium Laminates and Silicon Removal from Aerospace Al Alloy

Aerospace aluminium alloys (7xxx and 2xxx series Al alloy) is one of the important Al alloys in our life. The recycling of aerospace Al alloy plays a significant role in sustainable development of Al industry. The fibre reinforced metal laminates GLARE including 67 wt.% 2024 Al alloy was used as upper fuselage in Airbus A380, but the solution...