Date of Award
12-2016
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)
Department
Aeronautics and Astronautics
First Advisor
Vikas Tomar
Committee Chair
Vikas Tomar
Committee Member 1
Thomas S. Siegmund
Committee Member 2
Wenbin Yu
Abstract
This paper presents a composite conical structure used commonly in flight-qualification testing. This structure’s overall load-displacement behavioral response is characterized. Mixed-mode multidelamination in a layered composite specimen is considered in Abaqus/Explicit through both the Virtual Crack Closure Technique and Cohesive Elements. The Virtual Crack Closure Technique and Cohesive Elements are compared against experimental test results presented in literature. Further, a thorough comparison in which the effects of failure criteria type, through-thickness mesh density, and finite element type on the progressive failure response of this composite assembly is discussed. Lastly, Abaqus/Standard and Helius PFA are compared in order to gain confidence into which analytical model’s failure theories best predicts the different scales of failure, both local/microscale and global/macroscale.
Recommended Citation
Frappier, Ann M., "An investigation of composite failure analyses and damage evolution in finite element models" (2016). Open Access Theses. 847.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/open_access_theses/847