An Integrated Experimental and Computational Investigation of the Failure Mechanics of Woven Sandwich Composites in Extreme Conditions
Abstract
Increasing Department of Defense (DoD) interest in Arctic operations and explorations necessitates extensive research and investment in understanding and characterizing the behavior of composite structures in extreme cold marine environment. It has been a high priority of ONR to improve the life cycle and durability of naval materials, especially lightweight sandwich composites, for enhanced performance, affordability and reliability for Navy and Marine Corps systems and platforms. The solid mechanics program (SMP) within ONR has been leading ONR’s marine composite structures efforts for the past few decades. One of the key areas of interest to SMP has been the behavior of sandwich composites under Arctic sea water conditions in view of increasing DoD interest in Arctic operations. In order to drastically improve the damage resistance, tolerance and life cycle of sandwich composites used in marine structures, the proposal aims at addressing the following research questions: Research Question 1: What is the extent of degradation caused under the influence of sea water in arctic conditions? Research Question 2: What is the adverse effect of frigid sea water towards damage resistance and tolerance under repetitive impact (eg. hull slamming) and compression after impact (CAI)? Research Question 3: How does frigid sea water conditions influence the durability and life cycle of these composites under high cycle fatigue (compression and flexural) loading? Research Question 4: Can virtual investigation of failure mechanisms by developing physics based progressive damage computational models expand the test matrix and aid in the initial design and selection of composite materials for use in extreme sea water environment?
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 11, 2016
- Source ID
- W911NF1510430
Entities
People
- Pavana Prabhakar
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- University of Texas at El Paso