Statistical Characterization of Graphite Fiber for Prediction of Composite Structure Reliability

Abstract

The increased use of composite materials in Navy Applications brings with it the need to know quantitatively the reliability of composite structures. Traditional methods of reliability prediction cannot be used. Therefore, analytical modeling is required, and experimental methods with which to assess the model are needed. This research refined experimental methods and obtained benchmark statistical data on the strength of graphite fibers. With the Chain- of-Bundles local load sharing model, the data were then used as a guide to perform a parametric influence study on the sensitivity of composite structure reliability to the statistical distribution of its constituent graphite fibers. The results indicate a strong influence by the lower tail of the single fiber statistical distribution, which has important implications for design, acceptance testing, and other Navy procurement functions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA238020

Entities

People

  • Carl R. Engelbert

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Acquisition
  • Biocomposites
  • Composite Material Fabrication
  • Composite Materials
  • Composite Structures
  • Electron Microscopy
  • Experimental Data
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Procurement
  • Random Variables
  • Reliability
  • Statistics
  • Tensile Testing
  • Test Equipment
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Regression Analysis.
  • Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures.