Hang Liu

Publication Date

2000

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering

LCSH

Composite construction--Fatigue

Abstract

With the increasing use of Composite materials in various application - automobiles, aircraft, sailboats, and various sporting goods — the demand for more accurate engineering analysis of composite grows as well. Interlaminar shear stresses in composite beams and plates are produced as a result of free edges, ply drop-offs, three-dimensional stress fields, etc. Characterization of a composite material’s resistance to interlaminar shear is critical to their optimization. A composite beam, consisting of a coupon of unidirectional HERCULES AS4/3501-6 graphite/epoxy material adhesively bonded between steel strips and subjected to four-point bending, can be used to characterize the interlaminar shear strength of the composite materials. Preliminary results indicate the beam’s overhang length affects the failure of the specimen. Three finite-element models were generated to determine the influence of the length of overhang on the stress state of a composite beam. The finite element models are incorporated into an analysis involving plane elements to study the state of stress. Results show that the length of overhang can reduce stresses at the free edge of the beam.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [72]-73)

Extent

xi, 80 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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