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At least 649 records · Page 36
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Effects of cutouts on the behavior of symmetric composite laminates subjected to bending and twisting loads

Composite structures are used for a wide variety of aerospace applications. Practical structures contain cutouts and these structures are subjected to in-plane and out-of-plane loading conditions. Structurally efficient designs for composite structures require a thorough understanding of the effects of cutouts on the response of composite plates subjected to inplane or out-of-plane loadings. Most investigations of the behavior of composite plates with cutouts have considered in-plane loadings only. Out-of-plane loadings suchas bending or twisting have received very limited attention. The response of homogeneous plates (e.g., isotropic or orthotropic plates) subjected to bending or twisting moments has been studied analytically. These analyses are for infinite plates and neglect finite-plate effects. Recently, analytical and experimental studies were conducted to determine the effects of cutouts on the response of laminated composite plates subjected to bending moments. No analytical or experimental results are currently available for the effects of cutouts on the response of composite laminates subjected to twisting moments.

Prasad, C. B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Characterization and manufacture of braided composites for large commercial aircraft structures

Braided composite materials has been recognized as a potential cost effective material form for fuselage structural elements. Consequently, there is a strong need for more knowledge in the design, manufacture, test, and analysis of textile structural composites. Advance braided composite technology is advanced towards applications to a large commercial transport fuselage. The mechanics are summarized of materials and manufacturing demonstration results which were obtained in order to acquire an understanding of how braided composites can be applied to a commercial fuselage. Textile composites consisting of 2-D, 2-D triaxial, and 3-D braid patterns with thermoplastic and two resin transfer molding resin systems were studied. The structural performance of braided composites was evaluated through an extensive mechanical test program. Analytical methods were also developed and applied to predict the following: internal fiber architecture; stiffness; fiber stresses; failure mechanisms; notch effects; and the history of failure of the braided composite specimens. The applicability of braided composites to a commercial transport fuselage was further assessed through a manufacturing demonstration.

Fedro, Mark J.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Polymeric materials for unusual service conditions; Proceedings of the Conference, Moffett Field, Calif., November 29-December 1, 1972

Polymers for aircraft and spacecraft structures are considered, giving attention to novel foams and porous structures, aircraft nacelle composite structure technology, properties and processing of polyimidazoquinazoline composites, and the processing of organic matrices into structural composites. Other subjects discussed are related to high temperature resins and composites, elastomers for high temperature applications, fire retardant materials, polymers for critical pollution control, and polymers for critical medical use. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Golub, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS2015

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Integrated Science Instruments Module (ISIM) Electronics Compartment (IEC) Conformal Shields Composite Bond Structure Qualification Test Method

The JWST IEC conformal shields are mounted onto a composite frame structure that must undergo qualification testing to satisfy mission assurance requirements. The composite frame segments are bonded together at the joints using epoxy, EA 9394. The development of a test method to verify the integrity of the bonded structure at its operating environment introduces challenges in terms of requirements definition and the attainment of success criteria. Even though protoflight thermal requirements were not achieved, the first attempt in exposing the structure to cryogenic operating conditions in a thermal vacuum environment resulted in approximately 1 bonded joints failure during mechanical pull tests performed at 1.25 times the flight loads. Failure analysis concluded that the failure mode was due to adhesive cracks that formed and propagated along stress concentrated fillets as a result of poor bond squeeze-out control during fabrication. Bond repairs were made and the structures successfully re-tested with an improved LN2 immersion test method to achieve protoflight thermal requirements.

Thermal Vacuum Testing Chamber↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Composites From in-Situ Consolidation Automated Fiber Placement of Thermoplastics for High-Rate Aircraft Manufacturing

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) project Hi-Rate Composites Aircraft Manufacturing (HiCAM) aims to significantly increase commercial aircraft composite structures manufacturing rate. Thermoplastic composites offer attractive solutions to rapid manufacturing due to their ability to be formed and consolidated quickly. NASA has a particular interest in assessing composite structure manufacturing utilizing an in-situ consolidation automated fiber placement (AFP) of thermoplastics (ICAT) process employing current state-of-the-art laser heating systems. Three semi-crystalline polyaryletherketone (PAEK) thermoplastic tape materials were characterized to ascertain the ICAT process parameters. The required laser power settings were determined at Electroimpact, Inc., measuring material temperatures utilizing a forward looking infrared (FLIR) thermal imaging camera and thermocouples. The material temperature, tool temperature, and placement speed were varied for resulting consolidation quality assessment. The resulting temperature data were also utilized to calibrate thermal analysis models under development at NASA. The experimental temperature data confirmed analytical results. The quality of the resulting test panels was evaluated by both non-destructive evaluation as well as destructively by photo-microscopy. The effect on interlaminar strength was determined by short beam strength testing. Test results of carbon fiber laminates fabricated by ICAT using polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), and low-melt polyaryletherketone (LM-PAEK) at various placement temperatures and placement speeds are presented.

thermoplastic composites↗
NASA NTRS1992

Photoluminescence structure, and composition of laterally anodized porous Si

We have studied the photoluminescence (PL), structure, and composition of laterally anodized porous Si. Broad PL peaks were observed centered between about 620-720 nm with strong intensities measured from 500 to 860 nm. Macroscopic variations in PL intensities and peak positions are explained in terms of the structure and anodization process. Structural studies suggest that the PL appears to originate from a multilayered porous Si structure in which the top two layers are amorphous. X-ray diffraction spectra also suggest the presence of a significant amorphous phase. In addition to high concentrations of B and N, we have measured extremely high concentrations much greater than 10 exp 20 cu cm of H, C, O, and F. Our results indicate that laterally anodized porous Si does not fit the crystalline Si quantum wire model prevalent in the literature suggesting that some other structure is responsible for the observed luminescence.

Jung, K. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Technology for aircraft energy efficiency

Six technology programs for reducing fuel use in U.S. commercial aviation are discussed. The six NASA programs are divided into three groups: Propulsion - engine component improvement, energy efficient engine, advanced turboprops; Aerodynamics - energy efficient transport, laminar flow control; and Structures - composite primary structures. Schedules, phases, and applications of these programs are considered, and it is suggested that program results will be applied to current transport derivatives in the early 1980s and to all-new aircraft of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Klineberg, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Effect of temperature on composite sandwich structures subjected to low velocity impact

The effect of low velocity projectile impact on sandwich-type structural components was investigated. The materials used in the fabrication of the impact surface were graphite-, Kevlar-, and boron-fibers with appropriate epoxy matrices. The testing of the specimens was performed at moderately low- and high-temperatures as well as at room temperature to assess the impact-initiated strength degradation of the laminates. Eleven laminates with different stacking sequences, orientations, and thicknesses were tested. The low energy projectile impact is considered to simulate the damage caused by runway debris, the dropping of the hand tools during servicing, etc., on the secondary aircraft structures fabricated with the composite materials. The results show the preload and the impact energy combinations necessary to cause catastrophic failure in the laminates tested. A set of faired curves indicating the failure thresholds is shown separately for the tension-and compression-loaded laminates. The specific-strengths and -modulii for the various laminates tested are also given.

Sharma, A. V.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Advanced supersonic transport propulsion and configuration technology improvements

This paper presents the results of recent Douglas Aircraft Company integration studies for an advanced supersonic transport. The studies include technology improvements such as superplastic formed and diffusion-bonded titanium sandwich primary structure, composite secondary structure, bicone engine inlet, improved mechanical suppressors based on flight test data, improved aerodynamic efficiency based on wind tunnel test data, and updated performance for both variable-cycle and low-bypass-ratio engines. Technology development requirements for an economically viable and environmentally acceptable advanced supersonic transport are defined through these studies. A new Douglas Aircraft Company baseline supersonic transport designed to carry 350 passengers is defined for cost comparisons.

Rowe, W. T.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Method of insetting predesigned disbond areas into composite laminates

This invention is a process for producing composite laminates containing interlaminar disbonds of controlled sizes, shapes, and positions within a composite structure. A composite layer is provided for later inclusion within a laminate. The surfaces of this composite layer are solvent cleaned and sandblasted, except in desired disbond areas, which are coated with a releasing surface. A template to mask the bond areas is employed to obtain disbond areas of controlled shapes and sizes. The resulting composite layer is then used in the subsequent manufacture of a laminate, whereby faulty adhesion in the laminate can be studied with prior knowledge of the size, shape, and location of the disbond areas.

Dickerson, George E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

An assessment of tailoring of lightning protection design requirements for a composite wing structure on a metallic aircraft

The Navy A-6E aircraft is presently being modified with a new wing which uses graphite/epoxy structures and substructures around a titanium load-bearing structure. The ability of composites to conduct electricity is less than that of aluminum. This is cause for concern when the wing may be required to conduct large lightning currents. The manufacturer attempted to solve lightning protection issues by performing a risk assessment based on a statistical approach which allows relaxation of the wing lightning protection design levels over certain locations of the composite wing. A sensitivity study is presented designed to define the total risk of relaxation of the design levels.

Harwood, T. L.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Structures Technology for Future Aerospace Systems

An overview of structures technology for future aerospace systems is given. Discussion focuses on developments in component technologies that will improve the vehicle performance, advance the technology exploitation process, and reduce system life-cycle costs. The component technologies described are smart materials and structures, multifunctional materials and structures, affordable composite structures, extreme environment structures, flexible load bearing structures, and computational methods and simulation-based design. The trends in each of the component technologies are discussed and the applicability of these technologies to future aerospace vehicles is described.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Material Variability Effects on Damage Development Within Composite Adhesively Bonded Joints

Use of composite adhesively bonded joints (ABJ) is of critical importance to the adoption of composite materials in the automotive industry, as ABJ enable lower stress concentrations as compared to conventional mechanically fastened joints. ABJ are better suited for joining composite materials as compared to fastened joints because fastened joints require drilling of holes which locally affect composite material structure. Composite materials and adhesives are subject to unavoidable stochastic local material variations which make different failure scenarios possible. An experimentally tested ABJ configuration is simulated using finite element analysis (FEA). Experimentally, under tension, the joints failed by three major failure modes, with peak loads ranging from 13.0-16.1 kips. Progressive failure analysis tools are used to simulate damage development within each material within the joint. The simulation agreed well with the average experimental peak load. Stochastically occurring adhesive porosity and matrix-fiber micro-disbonding were numerically simulated. The simulations revealed a similar trend as observed experimentally: joints which failed at higher peak loads had lower levels of damage within the face-sheets of the composite panels which were adhesively bonded; these joints which failed at higher peak loads also had greater damage in the doubler of the experimentally tested double lap joint configuration.

Richard Larson↗
NASA NTRS2003

Investigation of Structural Properties of Carbon-Epoxy Composites Using Embedded Fiber-Optic Bragg Gratings

Real time monitoring of the mechanical integrity and stresses on key aerospace composite structures like aircraft wings, walls of pressure vessels and fuel tanks or any other structurally extended components and panels as in space telescopes is very important to NASA. Future military and commercial aircraft as well as NASA space systems such as Space Based Radar and International Space Station will incorporate a monitoring system to sense any degradation to the structure. In the extreme flight conditions of an aerospace vehicle it might be desirable to measure the strain every ten centimeters and thus fully map out the strain field of a composite component. A series of missions and vehicle health management requirements call for these measurements. At the moment thousands of people support a few vehicle launches per year. This number can be significantly reduced by implementing intelligent vehicles with integral nervous systems (smart structures). This would require maintenance to be performed only as needed. Military and commercial aircrafts have an equally compelling case. Annual maintenance costs are currently reaching astronomical heights. Monitoring techniques are therefore required that allow for maintenance to be performed only when needed. This would allow improved safety by insuring that necessary tasks are performed while reducing costs by eliminating procedures that are costly and not needed. The advantages fiber optical sensors have over conventional electro-mechanical systems like strain gauges have been widely extolled in the research literature. These advantages include their small size, low weight, immunity to electrical resistance, corrosion resistance, compatibility with composite materials and process conditions, and multiplexing capabilities. One fiber optic device which is suitable for distributed sensing is the fiber Bragg grating (FBG). This is a periodic perturbation in the refractive index of the fiber core. When a broadband light is coupled into the optical fiber sensor, a reflection peak will be obtained centered around a wavelength called Bragg-wavelength. The Bragg-wavelength depends on the refractive index and the period of the grating, which both change due to mechanical and thermal strain applied to the sensor. The shift in the Bragg-wavelength is directly proportional to the strain. Researchers at NASA MSFC are currently developing techniques for using FBGs for monitoring the integrity of advanced structural materials expected to become the mainstay of the current and future generation space structures. Since carbon-epoxy composites are the materials of choice for the current space structures, the initial study is concentrated on this type of composite. The goals of this activity are to use embedded FBG sensors for measuring strain and temperature of composite structures, and to investigate the effects of various parameters such as composite fiber orientation with respect to the optical sensor, unidirectional fiber composite, fabrication process etc., on the optical performance of the sensor. This paper describes an experiment to demonstrate the use of an embedded FBG for measuring strain in a composite material. The performance of the fiber optic sensor is determined by direct comparison with results from more conventional instrumentation.

Osei, Albert J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Analyses of composite fuselage structure under various loading conditions

With the characteristics of high strength/weight and stiffness/weight ratios in advanced composite materials, composite plate structures have been successfully applied to secondary load-carrying structural components in the aerospace industry for the past two decades. Recently, filament wound composite shells are being considered for design of primary fuselage structures. To implement the design the structural response under various loading conditions needs to be predicted accurately. Therefore, it is essential to establish a rigorous analytical solution in the area of composite laminated shells. A closed form solution is presented that predicts the response of a composite shell subjected to internal pressure, axial tension, bending, and torsion. The material of the shell is assumed to be general cylindrically anisotropic. Based on the theory of cylindrical anisotropic elasticity coupled partial differential governing equations are developed using Lehknitskii's stress function approach. The general expressions for the stresses and displacements in the composite cylinders under these loading conditions is discussed. Three examples (45) off-axis unidirectional, (45/45) unsymmetric, and (45/45)(sub s) symmetric angle-ply fiber-reinforced laminated shells are shown to illustrate the effect of radius-to-thickness ratios, coupling, and stacking sequence.

Yuan, Fuh-Gwo↗
NASA NTRS1986

Development of pressure containment and damage tolerance technology for composite fuselage structures in large transport aircraft

NASA sponsored composites research and development programs were set in place to develop the critical engineering technologies in large transport aircraft structures. This NASA-Boeing program focused on the critical issues of damage tolerance and pressure containment generic to the fuselage structure of large pressurized aircraft. Skin-stringer and honeycomb sandwich composite fuselage shell designs were evaluated to resolve these issues. Analyses were developed to model the structural response of the fuselage shell designs, and a development test program evaluated the selected design configurations to appropriate load conditions.

Smith, P. J.↗