Nonlinear Response and Integrity of Composite Sandwich Structures
Abstract
Composite materials provide lightweight solutions for construction of naval structures due to higher specific stiffness and strength, higher corrosion and fatigue resistance, and lower observability relative to conventional metals. Accordingly, composite materials have been applied to construction of naval ship and submarine structures such as helicopter hangars, superstructures, masts, rudders and propellers, fairings and sonar domes. In particular, sandwich constructions with facesheets bonded to various types of cores provides much higher bending stiffness as well as energy absorption capability in comparison with a monolithic panel. However, in order to achieve the full potential of load-bearing composite and sandwich structures, a clear understanding of the effect of fluid-structure interactions on the response and integrity of these structures is essential, for design and construction of naval structures operating in extreme environmental conditions including the Arctic region. However, only a limited amount of experimental as well as analytical works on the fluid-structure interactions relevant to the Navy applications are currently available. Accordingly, the overall objective of the proposed work is to carry out comprehensive research to investigate response and integrity of composite and sandwich structures under dynamic loads in the presence of water. Specifically, in the period covered in this proposal, the research will be conducted via coupling a CFD model with a CSD model for parametric studies on structural components under dynamic loads. They include low velocity impact loading on a panel in the presence of water, pressure wave loading with water on the back side of a panel, the front side of a panel, and both sides of a panel. These studies will include effect of boundary conditions of composite and sandwich panels, aspect ratio of rectangular panels, energy level of impact loads, various ranges in time and space of applied pressure loads, material degradation with damage initiation, growth and failure of composite laminates, and facesheet/core interface as well as the core. The outcome of this project will be a methodology that can be used to investigate and understand the response and integrity of composite and sandwich structures subjected to dynamic loads. The developed methodology can also be used to study shaping of core structures through a judicious design to mitigate adverse effect of dynamic loads on the composite sandwich structures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 10, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812318
Entities
People
- Sung Lee
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Maryland