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At least 1,027 records · Page 57

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

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the effect of low velocity projectile impact on graphite/epoxy and Kevlar 49- graphite/epoxy sandwich structural components. Testing was performed at moderately low- and high-temperatures to assess the strength degradation of composites as compared to room temperature values. Low energy projectile impact is considered to simulate the damage caused by runway debris such as small rocks, dropping of hand tools during servicing, etc., on secondary aircraft structures fabricated out of composites. The preload and impact energy necessary to cause catastrophic failure were determined. The residual strength of impact-damaged specimens was also measured.

Sharma, A. V.↗

Analysis of high velocity impact on hybrid composite fan blades

This paper describes recent developments in the analysis of high velocity impact of composite blades using a computerized capability which consists of coupling a composites mechanics code with the direct-time integration features of NASTRAN. The application of the capability to determine the linear dynamic response of an intraply hybrid composite aircraft engine fan blade is described in detail. The predicted results agree with measured data. The results also show that the impact stresses reach sufficiently high magnitudes to cause failures in the impact region at early times of the impact event.

Chamis, C. C.↗

A structural study of the Kentland, Indiana impact site

The Kentland, Indiana impact structure includes a central uplifted area about 4 km in diameter with the most intense deformation confined to a core slightly greater than 1 km in diameter. Stratigraphic uplift in the core region is probably greater than 600 m. A large quarry located on the northern flank of the central uplift exposes in detail some of the complexities which occur as a result of structural modifications of an original transient cavity. Shock deformational features produced by the impact event, including monomict and polymict breccias and shatter cones, are exposed in the quarry. It is suggested that the probable mechanism producing central uplift formation in impact craters in sedimentary rocks is some type of rebound of the impact-compressed material.

Laney, R. T.↗

West Clearwater, Quebec impact structure. I - Field geology, structure and bulk chemistry. II - Petrology

A field study at the 30-km-diameter West Clearwater impact crater was carried out during the summer of 1977 to identify the nature of the flow of impact melt and less shocked debris during the excavation stage of the cratering process. The present paper investigates: (1) comparisons with other impact craters and lunar samples; (2) generation and emplacement mechanisms of impact melts and associated clastic debris; and (3) the geometry of the transient cavity and the pristine morphology of the crater.

Simonds, C. H.↗

Impact crater and basin control of igneous processes on Mars

The possible role of impact craters in controlling local Martian endogenic activity is reviewed. Martian impact craters exhibiting evidence for endogenic modification are considered, including the style of modification. In addition, the cooling history of a mafic body intruded beneath impact craters of different sizes which contain water-ice deposits are examined, and results are related to modified Martian craters. This analysis is extended to basin-sized structures, and evidence for impact basin control of major volcanic and tectonic provinces is considered.

Schultz, P. H.↗

The role of volatiles and lithology in the impact cratering process

A survey of published descriptions of 32 of the largest, least eroded terrestrial impact structures shows that the amount of melt at craters in crystalline rocks is approximately two orders of magnitude greater than that at craters in sedimentary rocks. A model is proposed for the impact process, and it is examined whether the difference in melt abundance is due to differences in the amount of melt generated in various target materials or due to differences in the fate of the melt during late stages of the impact. The model accounts semiquantitatively for the effects of porosity and water and volatile content on the cratering process. Important features of the model are noted. Even if the recondensation of released volatiles is very efficient, the cumulative effect of repeated impacts on accreting planets would be to continually transfer volatiles toward the outer surface. By this process, volatiles might be enriched toward the outer layer of a growing planet.

Kieffer, S. W.↗

Graphite-epoxy panel compression strength reduction due to local impact

A review of results from on-going research to investigate the effects of low-velocity impact on the compressive strength of graphite-epoxy structures is presented. Extensive tests have been conducted on sandwich beams, laminated plates and stiffened panels. Conditions for failures were investigated by impact tests on statically loaded test specimens. The effects of compression load intensity were such that lightly loaded graphite structures (such as aircraft secondary structure) were insensitive to impact damage. In more heavily loaded structures, (such as wing panels), however, appreciable reductions in compressive strength occurred. The implications of the tests for structural design are discussed by comparing panel masses for designs where ultimate strains have been reduced due to impact considerations with the masses of designs with higher ultimate strains. Finally, preliminary test data is presented to show the possibility of improvements in damage tolerance achievable by using an alternate matrix material.

Card, M. P.↗

Graphite-epoxy panel compression strength reduction due to local impact

The effects of low velocity impact on the compressive strength of graphite/epoxy structures are reviewed. Extensive tests were conducted on sandwich beams, laminated plates and stiffened panels. Conditions for failures were investigated by impact tests on statically loaded test specimens. Lightly loaded graphite structures (such as aircraft secondary structure) were insensitive to impact damage. In more heavily loaded structures, (such as wing panels), appreciable reductions in compressive strength occurred. The implications of the tests for structural design are discussed by comparing panel masses for designs where ultimate strains were reduced due to impact considerations with the masses of designs with higher ultimate strains. Preliminary test data are presented to show the possibility of improvements in damage to tolerance achievable by using an alternate matrix material.

Card, M. F.↗

Prediction of initiation of low and high explosive fillers due to fragment or projectile impact

A methodology is presented which provides predictions for the probability of initiation of explosion in high explosive filled warheads and in propellant filled rocket motor cases given the impact of compact fragments or of small projectiles. Equations of velocities at which 50 percent of the explosive filled cases will initiate either high or low order are developed for compact fragments, and for projectiles. These data are used to establish the standard deviation of the data from the 50 percent initiation line. Standard deviation is used to provide predictions of the probability of initiation given the impact velocity and other pertinent parameters using equations and logic which are established in a computer model. This computer model uses fragment material properties and encounter parameters to predict fragment impact initiation, and projectile and casing material properties and encounter parameters to predict projectile impact initiation.

Zabel, P. H.↗

Impact penetration studies of graphite/epoxy laminates

A study was conducted to provide an initial insight into the role of the matrix in impact energy absorption of graphite/epoxy laminates. A single epoxy system, NARMCO 5208, in both composite and cured neat-resin form was studied with a constant velocity impact test apparatus. The parameters investigated include resin cure temperature, fiber type, ply thickness and orientation, and impact velocity. The results from the study show that matrix chemistry, as obtained by cure temperature changes, has a significant effect upon the failure mode and energy absorption during impact.

Sykes, G. F.↗

The effect of resin on the impact damage tolerance of graphite-epoxy laminates

The effect of the matrix resin on the impact damage tolerance of graphite-epoxy composite laminates was investigated. The materials were evaluated on the basis of the damage incurred due to local impact and on their ability to retain compression strength in the presence of impact damage. Twenty-four different resin systems were evaluated. Five of the systems demonstrated substantial improvements compared to the baseline system including retention of compression strength in the presence of impact damage. Examination of the neat resin mechanical properties indicates the resin tensile properties influence significantly the laminate damage tolerance and that improvements in laminate damage tolerance are not necessarily made at the expense of room temperature mechanical properties. Preliminary results indicate a resin volume fraction on the order of 40 percent or greater may be required to permit the plastic flow between fibers necessary for improved damage tolerance.

Williams, J. G.↗

Solid rocket booster water impact test

Water impact drop tests were performed on the space shuttle solid rocket boosters (SRB). Peak water impact pressures and pressure/time traces were measured for various impact velocities using a two-dimensional, full-scale SRB aft skirt internal ring model. Passive burst disc-type pressure transducers were calibrated for use on flight SRB's. The effects on impact pressure of small ring configuration changes and application of thermal protection system cork layers were found to be negligible.

Bugg, F.↗

On the scaling of crater dimensions. II - Impact processes

Holsapple and Schmidt (1980) previously addressed the problem of the scaling of explosive cratering. Their analysis included results which show under which conditions the scaling can be bounded between quarter-root and cube-root rules. The present investigation is an extension of the earlier analysis and approaches the case of impact cratering. More restrictive bounds are found for impact cratering than for the explosive case. These stronger results come from considering the role of the impactor momentum as an independent variable for impact cratering. Attention is given to impact cratering variables, general scaling rules, the bounds on scaling rules, a generalization to more variables, and previous scaling rules and results.

Holsapple, K. A.↗

Apollo 17 impact melts and their relation to the Serenitatis basin

Regional geologic relations are seen as suggesting that the distribution of highland landforms is not consistent with their derivation from a single impact event but is consistent with multiple events involving both distant basins and smaller, local craters. Thus the highland samples collected at the Apollo 17 landing site may not consist solely of Serenitatis basin ejecta but probably include both exotic ejecta and reworked local material. On the basis of these observations, it is suggested that the Apollo 17 highland melt breccias are not all derived from the Serenitatis basin impact; that is, the aphanitic melt rocks may be either other basin or local crater ejecta. It is thought that if the melt rocks collected at Apollo 17 are all derived from the same impact, the significant chemical and petrographic differences between the rocks may require modification of current models for impact melt petrogenesis.

Spudis, P. D.↗

Multi-ring basin formation - Possible clues from impact cratering calculations

Finite difference continuum mechanics code calculations make it possible to vary the controlling variables in an impact event and to determine basic trends at scales unavailable to experimental analysis. Orphal et al. (1980) have summarized the results of a pair of such calculations for identical projectile/target characteristics but different impact velocities. One calculation considered a relatively low velocity iron impactor (5 km/s); the other, a high velocity iron impactor (15.8 km/s). The primary purpose was to investigate the generation and transport of impact melt for the two impact energies. Attention is given to crater growth, crater ejecta, and possible implications for basin-size events. Based on extrapolations, a new scenario is proposed. The scenario incorporates elements of several existing basin models.

Schultz, P. H.↗

The evolution of an impact-generated atmosphere

The minimum impact velocities and pressures required to form a primary H2O atmosphere during planetary accretion from chondritelike planetessimals are determined by means of shock wave and thermodynamic data for rock-forming and volatile-bearing minerals. Attenuation of impact-induced shock pressure is modelled to the extent that the amount of released water can be estimated as a function of projectile radius, impact velocity, weight fraction of target water, target porosity, and dehydration efficiency. The two primary processes considered are the impact release of water bound in such hydrous minerals as serpentine, and the subsequent reincorporation of free water by hydration of forsterite and enstatite. These processes are described in terms of model calculations for the accretion of the earth. It is concluded that the concept of dehydration efficiency is of dominant importance in determining the degree to which an accreting planet acquires an atmosphere during its formation.

Lange, M. A.↗

On Venus impact basins - Viscous relaxation of topographic relief

The viscous relaxation with time of the topographic relief of impact basins on Venus is calculated under the assumption that the surface temperature of the planet has been at or near its presently high value since the time of basin formation. The effects of a decrease in effective viscosity with depth and of the partial to complete isostatic compensation of initial topography are included in the model. An impact basin several hundred kilometers or greater in diameter and three billion years old or older should have negligible topographic relief at present. On this basis, the hypothesis that quasi-circular features of low radar backscatter but little topographic relief may be relaxed remnants of ancient impact basins cannot be excluded. However, large quasi-circular depressions on Venus, such as Atlanta Planitia, are unlikely to be remnants of impact basins, because of their current relief, and so some other process should be found to account for them.

Solomon, S. C.↗

Wave propagation in graphite/epoxy laminates due to impact

The low velocity impact response of graphite-epoxy laminates is investigated theoretically and experimentally. A nine-node isoparametric finite element in conjunction with an empirical contact law was used for the theoretical investigation. Flat laminates subjected to pendulum impact were used for the experimental investigation. Theoretical results are in good agreement with strain gage experimental data. The collective results of the investigation indicate that the theoretical procedure describes the impact response of the laminate up to about 150 in/sec. impact velocity.

Tan, T. M.↗