Finite element analyses of stable crack growh in thin sheet material

This study deals with fracture mechanics aspects of mode 1 crack growth under montonically increasing (quasi-static) loads. Using the finite element method stable crack growth and the plastic deformation fields associated with this process are analyzed. A two parameter approach is proposed for a description of initiation and subsequent stable...

Flight simulation fatigue crack propagation in metal/carbon-epoxy laminates

Flight simulation fatigue crack propagation tests with gust spectrum loading were carried out on laminates of (i) aluminium alloy 2024-T3/carbon-epoxy, (ii) aluminium alloy 7475-T761/carbon-epoxy and (iii) titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V/carbon-epoxy with nominal weight savings of 30% and 40% as compared to equivalent 2024-T3 Alclad and 7475-T761...

Environmental fatigue crack propagation in metal/composite laminates: interim report no. 1

Plight simulation fatigue crack propagation tests with gust spectrum loading were carried out on 2024-T3/carbon-epoxy, 7475-T761/carbon-epoxy and Ti-6Al-4V/carbon-epoxy laminates with nominal weight savings of 30% as compared to equivalent 2024-T3 panels. The performance of the 2024-T3/ carbon-epoxy laminates was much superior to those of the...

Residual strength data of riveted panels with different stiffener configurations

Residual strength tests were carried out on center-cracked panels with a 2024-T3 or 7075-T6 skin and provided with eccentric stiffeners of practical design. The stiffeners were riveted to the skin. The material of the stiffeners was 7075-T6. In some cases the stiffeners were combined with Ti-alloy crack stoppers. On the basis of the test results...

Tensile failure of unidirectional composite materials