Engineering Science and Materials Commons^™

Finite Element Analysis Of A Composite Cylindrical Shell With A Cutout Under A Fatigue Load, Joshua T. Boatwright

Theses and Dissertations

A higher-order shell theory is used to analyze compressive and tensile loads on a graphite/epoxy laminated cylinder containing a square cutout. The Hashin failure criterion is used to determine failure in the fiber, matrix, or lamination. Once failure occurs, the appropriate stiffness terms are reduced. This failure causes a redistribution of stress, leading to further failure. In order to account for the loss of residual strength due to cyclic loading, the stiffness matrix is further reduced at each new increment of load or displacement. The objective is not to determine the S-N curve for the material, but rather to determine …