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Computer aided analysis of mechanically fastened composite laminates

Chutima, Surachate; (1996) Computer aided analysis of mechanically fastened composite laminates. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London). Green open access

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Abstract

The procedures adopted in the design of mechanically fastened joints between polymer based composite laminates have evolved from the results of a number of experimental investigations as well as some simplified analytical simulations. However, the universal applicability of experimental data is limited, since the type of material, the lamina stacking sequence and the geometric configuration of a joint can vary widely in practice. Similarly there are shortcomings in using an analytical approach to evaluate the stress distribution and joint strength since certain modelling constraints are required to minimize the complexity of the assessment. However, recent advances in modelling techniques have enabled more realistic constraints to be applied, thereby, ensuring greater confidence in the design of this type of joint. In this study general finite element models are proposed for two dimensional and three dimensional analysis of mechanically fastened composite laminates joined in a double lap fashion. In a two dimensional analysis, the material properties of the fibre and matrix were used, in conjunction with classical laminate theory, to compute the ply properties and, subsequently, the laminate properties, for a variety of ply lay-ups and orientations. These results were then used for each discrete element in the model representing the complete laminate. Finite element analysis was applied to the composite laminate connected in a double lap configuration with a single pin fastening; this was subsequently extended to assess the performance of multi-fastened joints. From this preliminary investigation three dimensional models were constructed to accurately determine the effect of in-plane loading in the vicinity of the bolt-laminate contact zone and the interlaminar stresses between adjacent plies in the composite laminate. As in the two dimensional analysis the material properties for each element were computed from the ply material properties in combination with the ply orientation. The laminate properties were subsequently formulated from layering of these elements. Bending and clamping effects as well as interlaminar shear and through thickness stresses were examined using these models. The results obtained for a range of parametric constraints, viz.; the laminate properties, fastener configuration and interfacial friction, showed good agreement with previously published experimental work. This study confirmed that a design methodology may be developed for mechanically fastened composite laminates utilising commercially available computer code together with appropriate modelling techniques, which must incorporate a full three dimensional stress analysis.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Qualification: Ph.D
Title: Computer aided analysis of mechanically fastened composite laminates
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Language: English
Additional information: Thesis digitised by ProQuest.
Keywords: Applied sciences; Composite laminates; Computer aided analysis; Mechanically fastened
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10102109
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