Shear Stabilization Based Framework for the Failure Testing and Analysis of HSCs

This program will develop an engineering framework for the design and failure analysis of high strain composite (HSC) laminates. The program will first test several HSC laminates to generate a statistically significant dataset for flexural strength. Testing will be performed for short and long term stowage conditions. Initial and ultimate failure modes will be identified and documented using several advanced composite imaging techniques. HSC modeling techniques will be developed using multiscale finite element approaches. These models will include the large and nonlinear hyperelastic deformations needed to model fiber axial nonlinearities and matrix shear nonlinearities. They will also be amenable to time dependent viscoelastic solutions. Using the tools, a shear stabilization based failure criteria for HSCs will be developed. These tools and approaches will allow failure in HSCs to be predicted accurately by including both the effects of laminate stacking sequence and strain gradients in the estimation of compressive failure.