Digital Commons Network^™

Mechanical Interfacial Locking And Multiscale Modeling Of Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites For Structural Applications, Anmol Kothari

All Dissertations

The ever-growing pressure of reducing the adverse impact of transportation systems on environment has pushed industries towards fuel-efficient and sustainable solutions. While several approaches have been used to improve fuel efficiency, the light-weighting of structural components has proven broadly effective. In this regard, reinforced thermoplastic composites (RTPC), owing to their high recyclability, higher impact strength and fast cycle times, have become competitive candidates at an industrial scale. However, to implement RTPC toward large scale structural applications several challenges pertaining to material design and manufacturing effects need to be addressed. To this end, a computational study is carried out to address …

Evaluation Of Additively Manufactured Lattices Under High Strain Rate Impact, Derek G. Spear

Theses and Dissertations

Several additively manufactured lattice designs and configurations were evaluated under compression loads under various strain rates from quasi-static to highly dynamic. These experiments examined how the mechanical behavior of the lattice changed based on the lattice design properties and the applied strain rates. The modulus of elasticity, yield strength, plateau stress, and toughness were observed to decrease with an increase in strain rate, revealing that the lattice designs exhibit a negative strain rate sensitivity. A new lattice flow stress model was developed to account for the mechanical response of the lattice and was incorporated into a computational model for simulation. …

Study Of Abnormal Grain Growth In Beta Annealed Ti-6al-4v Forgings, Lee R. Morris

Theses and Dissertations

Beta annealed Ti-6Al-4V has been used extensively in current aerospace platforms due to properties such as high strength to weight ratio. Recent inspections during aircraft production have revealed regions of excessive grain sizes, resulting in quarantined parts and excessive time spent on root cause analysis and risk mitigation efforts. Uncertainty surrounding these parts has led to increased costs and may cause future aircraft production delays. Part manufacturers have intermittently reported problems with abnormal grain growth in these alloys for years, but to date no supplier has been able to determine the source of this microstructural phenomenon. Leveraging common Finite Element …

An Automated Finite Element Analysis Framework For The Probabilistic Evaluation Of Composite Lamina Properties, Jonathan Phillips Weigand

Masters Theses

This thesis outlines the development of computational modeling tools used to predict the elastic properties of composite lamina from representative volume elements (RVE) using numerical methods. The homogenization approach involves the use of Gauss’s Theorem to simply the average volumetric strain integral into a surface integral containing which is defined by surface displacements and their direction. Simulations of RVEs under specific loading conditions (longitudinal tension or shear and transverse tension or shear) are then performed in the software package ABAQUS to obtain the surface displacements. It was found that obtaining quality meshes and applying periodic boundary conditions for each RVE …

Optimizing The Mechanical Characteristics Of Bamboo To Improve The Flexural Behavior For Biocomposite Structural Application, Jay Lopez

Master's Theses

Global awareness and preservation have spurred increasing interest in utilizing environmentally friendly materials for high-performance structural applications. Biocomposites pose an appealing solution to this issue and are characterized by their sustainable lifecycles, biodegradable qualities, light weight, remarkable strength, and exceptional stiffness. Many of these structural qualities are found in applications that exhibit flexural loading conditions, and this study focuses on improving the bending performance of engineered biocomposite structures. The current application of biocomposites is increasing rapidly, so this expanding research explores other natural constituent materials for biocomposite structures under flexural loading.

The renewable material investigated in this study was experimentally …

Modeling Axisymmetric Optical Precision Piezoelectric Membranes, James W. Rogers Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The US Department of Defense (DOD), as well as the National Aeronautics and Astronautics Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are interested in developing and deploying precise, compliant, light-weight, space-based structures. More specifically, the Air Force’s core competencies ‘Aerospace Superiority’ and ‘Information Superiority’ demand ever-increasing depth and breadth of capability. Whether used for energy transmission or optical reconnaissance, current launch restraints limit rigid space-based optical reflector size. To support this requirement, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is developing a large space-based optical membrane telescope. Inflatable reflectors can conceptually break this barrier, but controlling such a compliant structure …

Finite Element Analysis For Nonlinear Flutter Suppression Of Composite Panels At Elevated Temperatures Using Piezoelectric Materials, Run Chen Zhou

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Nonlinear coupled finite element equations of motion are derived for composite panels with embedded piezoelectric layers subjected to aerodynamic, thermal loads and applied electric fields. The nonlinear equations of motion describe the coupling between a structure and an electrical network through the piezoelectric effect. The von Karman large-deflection strain-displacement relations, quasi-steady first-order piston theory aerodynamics, quasi-steady thermal stress theory and linear piezoelectricity theory are used to formulate the nonlinear coupled panel flutter finite element equations of motion in nodal displacements. The governing equations, which are referred to actuator and sensor equations, form a basis for piezoelectric actuation and sensing. Following …