- Aerospace
- Wind Energy
- Composites R&D
TYPICAL COMPOSITES R&D PROJECTS
BELL HELICOPTER - FATIGUE ANALYSIS
NSE Composites performed an R&D contract for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. to help Bell advance the state-of-the-art in strength analysis and predictive modeling of composite structures. In this contract, engineers at NSE Composites used advanced computer modeling techniques to evaluate the strength and durability of composite structural elements. The commercial finite element software, ABAQUS®, was used together with advanced fracture mechanics approaches to predict the onset and growth of flaws or damage in the composite material when subjected to static or fatigue loading. The structural elements were then tested under the same loading to provide a comparison with the computer predictions. In support of the model development, element tests were conducted to provide baseline and validation comparison data.
BOEING - CAI INTERFACE ELEMENTS
NSE Composites provided support to Boeing and the Composites Affordability Initiative (CAI) in the development and validation of interface fracture elements for the simulation of composite delamination onset and growth. Boeing developed an ABAQUS user element that implements the Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT) in a novel way where both the critical release force and the energy consumed during strain softening is calculated based on fracture mechanics criteria.
NSE performed work to validate the interface element over a range of structural configurations. Results were compared with closed-form solutions as well as with test data, when available. NSE also helped to extend the interface element technology to predict damage growth under cyclic loading (fatigue). The resulting implementation enables the use of the VCCT interface element to performing either fatigue onset analysis or progressive interlaminar fatigue growth analysis.
BELL HELICOPTER - INTERLAMINAR FATIGUE ANALYSIS
NSE performed detailed analysis and finite element modeling to predict the strength and fatigue life of a developmental bonded composite structure. The purpose of this work was to apply the analytical methods previously developed under an Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project (A98-029) to assess damage initiation and growth due to static and fatigue loading in the selected areas of the structure.
Generalized plane strain finite element models were used to determine the stresses and strains in the adhesive and the composite laminates. Strength-of-materials failure criteria were then used to predict critical damage initiation loads and locations. Fracture mechanics methods were used to predict static strength and fatigue life based on fracture toughness and crack growth rate test data.
The strength-of-materials analysis identified three critical locations for damage initiation: 1) fiber failure in the hat radius, 2) delamination of the bulkhead flange on either side of the outer glass/epoxy ply, and 3) disbond/fracture of the adhesive fillet between the hat and bulkhead flange.
Fracture mechanics methods were then used to assess the static strength of the test article. A single crack path at the midplane of the bulkhead edgeband was chosen for the analysis. The crack was introduced into the model through the use of duplicate nodes and constraint equations which were progressively released. The model was run for a series of crack lengths to generate strain energy release rates as the crack was opened to a length of 1.08". Total strain energy release rate (Gtot) and mode mix (GII/ Gtot) vs. crack length were calculated. The multiple load steps from the non-linear FEM provided Gtot data at several load levels for each crack length. Assessment of static strength and crack stability as a function of crack length were made by comparing Gtot from the model to critical fracture toughness test data (Gtot, crit) at the appropriate mode mix. The analysis showed that the predicted failure load is well above the test article failure load and that a crack or flaw is not predicted to grow at this interface at or below this load.
The onset of delamination due to fatigue loading was then evaluated at the same interface in the bulkhead edgeband. The peak value of Gtot over the length of the crack was calculated at the maximum cyclic fatigue load using the Gtot vs. crack length data from the FE model. This G value was then compared to Gonset vs. N data to assess the number of cycles before the onset of delamination.
BELL HELICOPTER - OPEN HOLE COMPRESSION STRENGTH
NSE Composites performed a series of research and development projects for Bell Helicopter using progressive damage analysis and empirical methods to develop a practical analysis tool for predicting the open hole compression strength of graphite laminated composites.
BELL HELICOPTER - BJSFM
The overall objective of this project was to provide improved methods for bolted joint strength analysis, with emphasis on using the Fortran code, Bolted Joint Stress Field Model (BJSFM). Bell Helicopter selected a series of axial fiber, matrix shear, and transverse matrix failure criteria which NSE added to BJSFM under this project (Bell R&D criteria). NSE conducted an evaluation of BJSFM with the Bell failure criteria primarily through comparisons to ultimate strength and initial damage from notched test data of IM6/3501-6 tape laminates and study of predicted failure envelopes. To conduct the evaluation, NSE enhanced the Bell R&D BJSFM code to provide output files which can be easily read into spreadsheet programs. NSE generated predicted damage plots, failure envelopes, and other graphics for this report from the new output files. NSE also investigated alternate approaches for generating bolted joints strength, including different BJSFM methods, different d0 approaches, and maximum notched strength methods
SBIR - BONDED JOINTS
NSE Composites performed a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract aimed at developing and implementing analysis methods for predicting strength and fatigue life of composite bonded joints in rotorcraft structures. NSE teamed with Bell Helicopter, Boeing, and Sikorsky to define and analyze three high-priority composite bonded joint configurations. Non-linear 2-D finite element models were successfully used with strength-of-materials failure criteria to predict damage initiation, and with fracture mechanics methods to predict static strength and fatigue life. Fatigue life under spectrum loading was predicted using damage accumulation methods. Design and damage tolerance criteria were also addressed in the analyses.
STTR - BOLTED JOINTS
NSE Composites performed a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract with the aim of making significant advancements in the understanding of composite bolted joints behavior. The STTR Phase II program involved a comprehensive approach to improving methods for predicting notched strength. This included an empirical evaluation of existing notched tension test data from DoD aircraft allowables programs, a static/ incremental x-ray test program, which included uniaxially notched tension and compression specimens in four aerospace layups, and development of analytical tools including progressive damage compression analyses.