Open Access
Subscription or Fee Access
Modeling Composite Structural Elements Using Discrete Damage Modeling
Abstract
Discrete Damage Modeling using the Regularized Extended Finite Element Method (Rx-FEM) for matrix cracking is applied to element-level Common Feature Test Components (CFTC) loaded in static and fatigue. The two CFTC considered utilize a hat-stiffened panel structure loaded at the center via an aluminum loading rib. The complexity of these structural elements required extensive use of Layered 8-node brick elements (LC3D8) in non-critical areas as well as utilization of various mesh refinements and approximate boundary conditions to utilize symmetries of the CFTC geometry. Quasi-static simulations resulted in accurate predictions of the critical damage threshold (CDT), which is the first peak load, and overall peak load of the specimen. Accurate predictions of the fatigue response and namely the extent of delamination and stiffness loss were only possible based on calibrated material properties inferred based on sub element testing.
DOI
10.12783/asc35/34967
10.12783/asc35/34967