Optimising curvature of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer composite panel for improved blast resistance: Finite-element analysis

Abstract

Numerical studies were conducted to investigate the optimum curvature of a carbon fibrereinforced polymer (CFRP) panel that would provide an improved blast resistance. A dynamic finite-element (FE) model that incorporates fluid-structure interaction was developed to evaluate the response of these panels to blast in commercial finite-element software ABAQUS/Explicit. Previously reported experimental data by authors were utilised to validate a FE model, where a shock-tube apparatus was utilized to apply a controlled shock loading to quasi-isotropic composite panels with different radii of curvature. A threedimensional digital image correlation (DIC) technique coupled with high-speed photography was employed to measure out-of-plane deflections and velocities, as well as in-plane strains at the back face of panels. Macroscopic post-mortem analysis was performed to compare the deformation in these panels. The numerical results were compared to the experimental data and demonstrated a good agreement. The validated FE model was further used to predict the optimal curvature of CFRP panel with the aim to improve its blast-mitigation characteristics.

Modelling of mechanical failure due to constrained thermal expansion at the lightning arc attachment point in carbon fibre epoxy composite material

“…Much research has focused on using the Finite Element method for the prediction of composite material damage resulting from laminate transverse impact and blast loading [42][43][44][45][46][47][48]. Various failure criteria can be applied to predict the onset of fibre or matrix failure.…”

“…Herein the modelling approach used by Phadnis [43] and validated for transverse impact loads is used as an efficient, mature and robust approach. The Hashin failure criteria is used to predict intralaminar ply failure in the fibre direction accounting for fibre damage in compression and tension.…”

Quantifying the Influence of Lightning Strike Pressure Loading on Composite Specimen Damage

“…A significant advantage is the potential to scrutinise during the event the internal damage behaviour. In order to achieve this, a complete and accurate understanding of the loading mechanisms is needed in order to harness the significant advances available in composite material damage modelling [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. This paper assesses the potential contribution of pressure loading to the damage of composite materials during a lightning strike by employing well-established and robust modelling approaches for composite damage prediction.…”

A optimization technique for the composite strut using genetic algorithms

“…In the past decades, optimization methods were employed to design structural parameters and/or stacking sequence of composite laminates to obtain excellent mechanical properties. Many different factors, such as mass, thermal expansion, buckling load, and natural frequency, were found to must be taken into account [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Badalló et al [7] presented a comparative study of three common Genetic Algorithms: Archive-based Micro Genetic Algorithm (AMGA), Neighborhood Cultivation Genetic Algorithm (NCGA) and Non-dominate Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) by optimizing a T-shaped stringer.…”