Precision Composite Space Structures

Abstract

This project was aimed at developing analytical approaches to improving and better understanding the dimensional stability or composite space structures under thermal environments and changing material behavior due to microscopic damage. A comprehensive review or the literature on damage modeling or polymer matrix composite laminates was conducted. Damage due to matrix cracking was characterized using micromechanics. Aspects of predicting and utilizing degraded properties at the fiber and matrix level were studied. A computational approach to optimization of structure dimensional stability by introduction of "anti-distortion appliques" was developed for minimizing thermally induced instability. The concept involves adding material to offset and eliminate measured instabilities. The concept was demonstrated but the approach is limited by the current lack of precision measurement systems for large structures.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 15, 2007
Accession Number
ADA472941

Entities

People

  • Akula M. Venkata
  • David M. Long
  • John F. Fitch
  • Mark R. Garnich
  • Pu Liu

Organizations

  • University of Wyoming

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aging (Materials)
  • Composite Materials
  • Computational Science
  • Fiber Reinforced Polymers
  • Laminates
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanical Working
  • Mechanics
  • Micromechanics
  • Polymer Matrix Composites
  • Three Dimensional
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space