Fatigue analysis of a post-buckled composite single-stringer specimen taking into account the local stress ratio

Journal Article (2020)
Author(s)

A. Raimondo (TU Delft - Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics)

C. Bisagni (TU Delft - Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics)

Research Group
Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.108000
More Info
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Publication Year
2020
Language
English
Research Group
Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics
Volume number
193
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Abstract

The fatigue life prediction of post-buckled composite structures represents still an unresolved issue due to the complexity of the phenomenon and the high costs of experimental testing. In this paper, a novel numerical approach, called “Min-Max Load Approach”, is used to analyze the behavior of a composite single-stringer specimen with an initial skin-stringer delamination subjected to post-buckling fatigue compressive load. The proposed approach, based on cohesive zone model technique, is able to evaluate the local stress ratio during the delamination growth, performing, in a single Finite Element analysis, the simulation of the structure at the maximum and minimum load of the fatigue cycle. The knowledge of the actual value of the local stress ratio is crucial to correctly calculate the crack growth rate. At first, the specimen is analyzed under quasi-static loading conditions, then the fatigue simulation is performed. The results of the numerical analysis are compared with the data of an experimental campaign previously conducted, showing the capabilities of the proposed approach.