A Comprehensive Investigation of Sustainable Welded Thermoplastic Post-Buckled Composite Structures
Abstract
In the recent years, the aeronautical sector has shown an increase interest in research and development of thermoplastic composite materials. Indeed, the use of thermoplastic composites can improve the sustainability of the aeronautical sector, and decrease the manufacturing time and costs. Besides, they offer the possibility of welding stringers to the skin, providing a viable path forward for unitized composite structures. However, there is not much experimental understanding of the mechanisms involving welded joint failure, and the computational tools available for the simulation of thermoset composites have not yet been completely assessed for thermoplastic materials. In this regard, a numerical and experimental evaluation will be performed to investigate the strength and failure behavior of welded thermoplastic composite joints. A methodology will be then developed for enhancing welded thermoplastic composite stiffened panels to work in the post�buckling regime. Due to the high computational costs associated with modelling damage in large multi�stringer panels and the manufacturing and testing costs associated with testing such panels, the methodology will be based on single�stringer specimens, that represent an intermediate level of complexity between the coupon�level specimens and the stiffened structural components. Tests on welded single�stringer specimens will be conducted to validate the computational methodology, testing seven�point bending (7PB) and four�point�twisting (4PT) configurations using an adaptive multi�point bending equipment previously developed in collaboration with AFRL and EOARD.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 05, 2025
- Source ID
- FA86552417036
Entities
People
- Chiara Bisagni
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Polytechnic University of Milan
- United States Air Force