LS-Dyna for Crashworthiness of Composite Structures

<p>Composite materials have excellent mechanical and thermal properties and are the materials of choice for many applications. Even though, the low inter-laminar mechanical properties and poor impact resistance of fiber reinforced composite materials has limited their use. The study of axial crushing behavior of metal and composite tubes has become an important aspect for the design of crashworthy structures in aircraft and automotive applications. This behavior can be studied using different crushing modes based on different failure criteria. Therefore it is important to have a tool that could simulate the crushing response of the composite tubes under crushing or impact load.</p><p>This thesis is aimed at the validation of finite element simulation methods for composite tubes using different failure criteria. The crushing behavior and the effect of post-failure parameters on the composite tubes are studied using a finite element solver, LS-Dyna. Three different composite tubes have been chosen for the finite element analysis, which have been crushed under impact loading conditions. Composite material models, from Dyna library, are assigned for the tubes to analyze which material model correlates with the experimental results. The results indicate that the average crushing force for the numerical and experimental results are same except for the peak force, in load-displacement curves. Also, interface elements are modeled between the shell elements for the composite tubes and conducted analysis using cohesive material model. Besides, conducted simulations to determine the effect of geometric parameter like trigger and post-failure parameters like softening reduction factor, maximum effective strain, SLIM which is the factor to determine residual strength and maximum strain on the composite tubes.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering and Applied Science: Aerospace Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Cincinnati

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Chatla, Priyanjali

Contributors dc:contributor

• Tabiei, Ala

• Aerospace Materials
• Crashworthiness
• Composites
• impact loads
• LS-Dyna

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1352993298

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ucin1352993298