Effect of Assembly Anomalies on the Strain Response of Composites in the Sphere Joint Region of the DARPA Man-Rated Demonstration Article

Abstract

The compressive response of thick, quasi-isotropic, AS4/3501-6 laminates with geometric anomalies were investigated theoretically and experimentally. The specimens considered were rectilinear with nominal dimensions of 10 inches long, by 4 inches wide, by 0.78 inches thick. The anomalies were designed to simulate expected fit-up clearance conditions resulting from normal manufacturing tolerances in the sphere joint regions of the DARPA Man Rated Demonstration Article. Tests were conducted both with unfilled fit-up gaps and with fit-up gaps filled with a polymer shimming material (Hysol EA9394). Strains were monitored in the specimen gage sections and in regions of high strain concentration resulting from the manufacturing anomalies. Measured strains correlated well with predicted strains from an ABAQUS Finite Element Analysis. For all test cases the specimens were able to withstand strains due to the anomalies when gage section strain reached 7000 microstrain. One specimen with no anomalies was tested to failure in uniaxial compression and failed in the gage section at 89,000 psi and 13,500 microstrain, which is equivalent to thin-section composite failure strains.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA254204

Entities

People

  • E.t. Camponeschi Jr.
  • Jonathan Hall
  • R.e. Bohlmann
  • T.t. Carr

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Assembly
  • Composite Materials
  • Epoxy Laminates
  • Fabrication
  • Fiber Reinforced Composites
  • Laminates
  • Load Distribution
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Materials Engineering
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanics
  • Polymer Matrix Composites
  • Stress Strain Relations

Readers

  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.
  • Military/Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technology
  • Reinforced Composite Materials