Computer program tackles failure analysis of fibre reinforced composites loads

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology

ISSN: 0002-2667

Article publication date: 1 April 1998

77

Citation

(1998), "Computer program tackles failure analysis of fibre reinforced composites loads", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770baf.010

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 1998, MCB UP Limited


Computer program tackles failure analysis of fibre reinforced composites loads

Software solutions for aerospace

Computer program tackles failure analysis of fibre reinforced composites loads

ESDU International plc has introduced a design engineering computer program to tackle the difficult problem of producing a failure analysis of fibre reinforced composite laminates.

These materials are being increasingly used for primary as well as secondary load bearing structures in the aerospace and other advanced industries. The economical advantages of such high strength-low weight materials, coupled with the opportunity they offer to "tailor" structures to suit specific requirements, have long been recognised. Advanced manufacturing processes are making the exploitation of their full potential increasingly viable. Consequently, therefore, the need to develop satisfactory methods to analyse such structures is becoming correspondingly urgent.

ESDU's new program represents a major step in this direction. It models the progressive damage to the matrix material of each layer of a fibre reinforced composite laminate until full laminate failure occurs under initial or sequential thermal and mechanical loads.

Details from ESDU International plc, 27 Corsham Street, London N1 6UA. Tel: +44 (0) 171 490 5151; Fax: +44 (0) 171 490 2701.

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