Semi-analytical solutions for buckling and post-buckling of composite plates: Application to stiffened Panels

This MSc thesis addresses the study of buckling and post-buckling of composite plates with elastic restraints at the edges and under any combination of in-plane loading, aiming to solve the plate response in stiffened panel structures. The implemented solutions are based on thin plate theory for mid-plane symmetric plates. The governing...

Isogeometric analysis for thin-walled composite structures

The conceptual ideas behind isogeometric analysis (IGA) are aimed at unifying computer aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis (FEA). Isogeometric analysis employs the non-uniform rational B-spline functions (NURBS) used for the geometric description of a structure to approximate its physical response in an isoparametric sense. Due to the...

Mode I fatigue delamination growth in composite laminates with fibre bridging

Advanced composite materials have been commonly used in aerospace engineering, because of their good mechanical properties and attractive potential for creating lightweight structures. Susceptibility to delamination is one of the most important issues in the applications of these materials. This disadvantage can prohibit the application of...

The concept of fatigue fracture toughness in fatigue delamination growth behavior

This paper provides a study on mode I fatigue delamination growth in composite laminates using energy principles. Experimental data has been obtained from fatigue tests conducted on Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimens at various stress ratios. A concept of fatigue fracture toughness is proposed to interpret the stress ratio effect in crack...

Computational Modeling of Progressive Failure in FRP Composite Laminates Subjected to Static and Impact Transverse loading

In order to arrive at safe and reliable design of composite structures, understanding of the mechanisms and mechanics of damage growth in these materials is of paramount significance. Numerical models, if designed, implemented and used carefully, can be helpful not only to understand the mechanisms and mechanics of damage growth but also to...

Ultimate performance of GRP-laminates under in-plane biaxial loading

Widespread acceptance and utilisation of composite laminates requires confidence in their loadbearing capacity. The ability to accurately predict the stiffness and strength of laminates composed of glass-fibre reinforced polyester (GRP) is necessary for a sound design when laminates are used in structural applications. In this paper an easily...