Modeling and Simulation of Hybrid Materials/Structures for Sustainment Applications

In Phase I, we propose to develop, assess and demonstrate the feasibility of a finite element-based computational simulation of multi-constituent material FMLs, appropriate for capturing delamination and crack interaction. Two separate approaches will be investigated: one based on individual constituent/lamina modeling in a multiscale context and in conjunction with an XFEM technique for tracking crack growth and direction; and one based on a homogenized effective shell incorporating enrichment functions based on the TU Delft analytic solutions for typical FML configurations. Accuracy, fidelity, computational practicality and other pertinent issues will be assessed by exercising these approaches against existing experimental data at TU Delft as well as analytical solutions previously derived for standard configurations. Non-traditional configurations will be simulated, primarily to aid in the development of a testing and validation plan for Phase II and to refine the software module development plans for ready incorporation into an appropriate commercial FEM software such as Abaqus for example. BENEFIT: Analysis tool for Design and certification of hybrid components and FMLs for veteran aircraft sustainment and design of new aircrafts