An extended stress-based method for orientation angle optimization of laminated composite structures

Orientation optimization plays an important role in the lay-up design of composite structures.Earlier orientation optimization methods face the main problem of huge number of design variables.Recently,a patch concept is proposed to reduce the number of design variables.However,the traditional stress-based method can not deal with patch orientation optimization of composite structures.In this paper,we propose an extended stress-based method to deal with such problems.The considered problems are to minimize the mean compliance under multiple load cases or to maximize the eigenvalues of a composite structure.Four numerical examples are solved to demonstrate the efficiency of the new method.It is shown that the new method has the ability to deal with constraints on orientation angle,such as symmetric,antisymmetric and discrete orientation angle constraints.The iteration is less time-consuming because no sensitivity analysis is needed and a quick convergence rate can be achieved.

A 3-Node Co-Rotational Triangular Finite Element for Non-Smooth,Folded and Multi-Shell Laminated Composite Structures

Based on the first-order shear deformation theory,a 3-node co-rotational triangular finite element formulation is developed for large deformation modeling of non-smooth,folded and multi-shell laminated composite structures.The two smaller components of the mid-surface normal vector of shell at a node are defined as nodal rotational variables in the co-rotational local coordinate system.In the global coordinate system,two smaller components of one vector,together with the smallest or second smallest component of another vector,of an orthogonal triad at a node on a non-smooth intersection of plates and/or shells are defined as rotational variables,whereas the two smaller components of the mid-surface normal vector at a node on the smooth part of the plate or shell(away from non-smooth intersections)are defined as rotational variables.All these vectorial rotational variables can be updated in an additive manner during an incremental solution procedure,and thus improve the computational efficiency in the nonlinear solution of these composite shell structures.Due to the commutativity of all nodal variables in calculating of the second derivatives of the local nodal variables with respect to global nodal variables,and the second derivatives of the strain energy functional with respect to local nodal variables,symmetric tangent stiffness matrices in local and global coordinate systems are obtained.To overcome shear locking,the assumed transverse shear strains obtained from the line-integration approach are employed.The reliability and computational accuracy of the present 3-node triangular shell finite element are verified through modeling two patch tests,several smooth and non-smooth laminated composite shells undergoing large displacements and large rotations.

Analysis of Dynamic Structure-Fluid Interaction Response of a Floating Laminated Composite Plate

In consideration of the effects of transverse shear deformation and structure-fluid interaction, the analytical expression of fluid force between a floating laminated composite plate and liquid surface is obtained. By expanding the displacements into Fourier series, the structure-fluid coupling dynamic response is solved. The effects of lamination angle, layer number, depth of fluid region and loading forms on dynamic response are investigated.

Research on Fixture's Effect on Properties of Single-Shear Bolt Jointed Composite Laminates Structure

The testing on the bearing strength of single-shear bolt jointed composite laminates structure is done.And the effect of the fixture on the testing results is analyzed. Then a macro-micro multi-scale analytical model combined with the improved"Generalized Method of Cells( GMC) "is developed,which is used to predict the macro bearing strength and to characterize the micro constitute material failure of the bolt jointed composite laminates structure. Both the contact conditions at the bolt/hole boundary and the contact conditions at the specimen/fixture boundary,progressive damage,and the material properties degradation are all taken account into the analytical model. Thus,the numerical simulation results agree well with the experimental results.Finally,the effect of the fixture on the testing results is characterized. The results show that the incomplete contaction between the fixture and the specimen or the lack of the lateral constraint on the specimen will affect the limited bearing strength and the offset bearing strength of the bolt jointed composite laminates structure. In addition,the lower support rigid of the fixture will affect the rigid of the bolt jointed composite laminates structure.

A refined finite element method for bending analysis of laminated plates integrated with piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composite actuators

This research presents a finite element formulation based on four-variable refined plate theory for bending analysis of cross-ply and angle-ply laminated composite plates integrated with a piezoelectric fiber-reinforced composite actuator under electromechanical loading. The four-variable refined plate theory is a simple and efficient higher-order shear deformation theory, which predicts parabolic variation of transverse shear stresses across the plate thickness and satisfies zero traction conditions on the plate free surfaces. The weak form of governing equations is derived using the principle of minimum potential energy, and a 4-node non-conforming rectangular plate element with 8 degrees of freedom per node is introduced for discretizing the domain. Several benchmark problems are solved by the developed MATLAB code and the obtained results are compared with those from exact and other numerical solutions, showing good agreement.

Elastic and Plastic Behaviors of Laminated Ti-TiBw/Ti Composites

The novel laminated Ti-TiBw/Ti composites composed of pure Ti layers and TiBw/Ti composite layers have been successfully fabricated by reactive hot pressing. Herein, two-scale structures formed： the pure Ti layer and TiBw/Ti composite layer together constructed a laminated structure at a macro scale. Furthermore, TiBw reinforcement was distributed around Ti particles and then formed a network microstructure in TiBw/Ti composite layer at a micro scale. The laminated Ti-TiBw/Ti composites reveal a superior combination of high strength and high elongation due to two-scale structures compared with the pure Ti, and a further enhancement in ductility compared with the network structured composites. Moreover, the elastic modulus of the laminated composites can be predicted by H-S upper bound, which is consistent with the experimental values.

Dynamic Structure-Fluid Interaction Response of a Composite Cylindrical Shell Submerged in Water

This paper analyzes the dynamic structure-fluid interaction response of a submerged composite cylindrical shell. Dynamic equations based on the first-order shear deformation theory include the initial stresses and structure-fluid interaction forces due to fluid. The field equation is solved by expanding the velocity potential into series similar to transverse deflection of the cylindrical shell and the structure-fluid interaction force is obtained. The dynamic response is investigated by means of series expansion method. The effects of structure-fluid interaction on dynamic response are discussed.

Effects of Hydrothermal Environment on the Deformation of the Thin Bamboo Bundle Veneer Laminated Composites

To overcome warping in thin bamboo bundle veneer laminated composites(TBLC),their hydrothermal deformation characteristics were systematically investigated in this study.It was found that TBLCs accelerated the release of internal stress in the thickness direction in a hydrothermal environment,which increased their warpage.TBLCs showed increased warpage in the width and diagonal directions upon increasing the temperature.The warpage of Type E increased by 155.88%and 66.67%in the width and diagonal directions,respectively,when the temperature increased from 25
C to 100
C.The symmetrical TBLC with cross-lay-up and odd layers displayed better hydrothermal stability.We revealed that the deformation of the TBLCs could be regulated under the synergistic effect of water and temperature.These results provide a scientific basis for improving the uniformity of bamboo bundle composite materials and for developing thin bamboo bundle fiber composite materials with designable structures and controllable performance.

Reliability analysis of a composite laminate using estimation theory

Composite laminates are made up of composite single-plies sequence. The plies generally have the same fiber and resin and their difference in fiber orientation results in a difference in various laminates' strength. Tsai-Hill failure criterion as a limiting state function to analyze structural reliability of a composite laminate and estimation theory in order to estimate statistical parameters of effective stress were utilized to construct probability box. Finally, we used the Monte Carlo simulation and FERUM software to calculate the upper and lower bounds of probability of failure.

BUCKLING AND POSTBUCKLING OF LAMINATED THIN CYLINDRICAL SHELLS UNDER HYGROTHERMAL ENVIRONMENTS

The influence of hygrothermal effects on the buckling and postbuckling of composite laminated cylindrical shells subjected to axial compression is investigated using a micro-to-macro-mechanical analytical model. The material properties of the composite are affected hy the variation of temperature and moisture, and are hosed on a micromechanical model of a laminate. The governing equations are based on the classical laminated shell theory, and including hygrothermal effects. The nonlinear prebuckling deformations and initial geometric imperfections of the shell were both taken into account. A boundary layer theory of shell buckling was extended to the case of laminated cylindrical shells under hygrothermal environments, and a singular peturbation technique was employed to determine buckling loads and postbuckling equilibrium paths. The numerical illustrations concern the postbuckling behavior of perfect and imperfect, cross-ply laminated cylindrical shells under different sets of environmental conditions. The influences played by temperature rise, the degree of moisture concentration, fiber volume fraction, shell geometric parameter, total number of plies, stacking sequences and initial geometric imperfections are studied.

Evaluation on the Application of GLB Structures

Glued Laminated Bamboo (GLB) is one kind of composite material;the use of GLB in structural engineering can reduce the demand for wood, a possible solution to relieve the damage to natural forest. With the help of the design and construction experience of timber structures, a new type of building structure: bamboo structure is introduced. This paper presents a comprehensive review on the study of GLB and bamboo structure. Some important physical, mechanical, and chemical properties such as seismic performance, fire resistance, and energy consumption are discussed. In addition, the property of bamboo composites, the failure mode of GLB beam and columns are also analyzed. This paper also pointed out the problems faced by the development of bamboo structure, which can be a suggestion for subsequent research. In general, GLB is a green and environmentally-friendly structural material and the development of bamboo structure provides another choice to conform the concept of sustainable development.

Microstructure evolution and improved properties of laminated titanium matrix composites with gradient equiaxed grains

With the purpose of improving both the strength and ductility,gradient equiaxed grains were successfully achieved in the matrix of the laminated TiB/Ti-TiB/Ti-6.58Al-1.76Zr-1.04V-0.89Mo composite via water quenching(WQ) and thermal compressing deformation. Gradient equiaxed grains varied from approximately 1.0 μm in TiB/Ti-6.58Al-1.76Zr-1.04V-0.89Mo layer to 5.5 μm in TiB/Ti layer. The formation of the gradient structure was related to the alloying elements diffusion during the initial sintering process,and the equiaxed shape was constructed by dynamic recrystallization during thermal compressing. WQ treatment before thermal compressing was adopted to obtain fine lamellar structure,which promoted the segmentation of αlamellae,and accelerated the dynamic recrystallization process. Raising the quenching temperature can increase the proportion of equiaxed grains in the composite,which improved both the bending strength and ductility. Compared with the as-sintered specimen,the specimen with gradient equiaxed grains exhibited nearly 30% enhancement in flexural strength(from 1719 to 2218 MPa),and the ultimate bending fracture strain was increased from 7.0% to 17.2%. This significant improvement should be attributed to the coordination deformation by interface gradient grains,the grain refinement strengthening and the good balance between strength and ductility of the recrystallized equiaxed grains.

A Three-Dimensional Multi-scale Plasticity Model for Metal-Intermetallic Laminate Composites Containing Phases of the L12 Structure

A three-dimensional plasticity model was developed and applied to metal-intermetallic laminate composites containingphases of the L12 structure. A multi-scale approach that combined the methods of continuum mechanics and dislocationkinetics was used. This model takes account of the different mechanisms of self-locking superdislocations, the dislocationsand the dislocation walls＇ density storage for each type of layer at the micro-scale. At the meso-scale, the solutions to thedislocation kinetics equations, in the form of stress-strain curves, were used to create the properties of a three-dimensionalrepresentative element. The numerical simulation study of the macroscopic deformation was carried out with the finiteelement method using the dynamic model of continuum mechanics, which included the classical conservation laws,constitutive equations and the equation of state. It was shown that the simulation results generated using this model were ingood agreement with the mechanical tests conducted on the single crystals of the L12 structure. The model provides anexcellent description of the high-temperature plastic strain superlocalization effect of single crystal intermetallics of theLI2 structure. This paper describes the numerical results of the study of the tension and compression tests of metal-intermetallic laminate composites containing phases of the L12 structure. The model allows the description of the dis-tribution of the accumulated plastic strain inhomogeneities and is capable of predicting the strengthening properties andplastic behaviour of the metal-intermetallic laminate composites containing phases of the L12 structure.

Interface Analysis and Hot Deformation Behaviour of a Novel Laminated Composite with High-Cr Cast Iron and Low Carbon Steel Prepared by Hot Compression Bonding

A hot compression bonding process was developed to prepare a novel laminated composite consisting of high-Cr cast iron （HCCI） as the inner layer and low carbon steel （LCS） as the outer layers on a Gleeble 3500 ther- momechanicat simulator at a temperature of 950 ℃ and a strain rate of 0. 001 s 1. Interfacial bond quality and hot deformation behaviour of the laminate were studied by mierostructural characterisation and mechanical tests. Experi- mental results show that the metallurgical bond between the constituent metals was achieved under the proposed bonding conditions without discernible defects and the formation of interlayer or intermetallic layer along the inter- face. The interfacial bond quality is excellent since no deterioration occurred around the interface which was deformed by Vickers indentation and compression test at room temperature with parallel loading to the interface. After well cladding by the LCS, the brittle HCCI can be severely deformed （about 57 % of reduction） at high temperature with crack-free. This significant improvement should be attributed to the decrease of crack sensitivity due to stress relief by soft claddings and enhanced flow property of the HCCI by simultaneous deformation with the LCS.

Laminated Fe-34.5 Mn-0.04C composite with high strength and ductility

To obtain a good combination of strength and ductility, a laminated composite structure composed of recovered hard lamellae and soft recrystallized lamellae has been produced in a single phase austenitic Fe-34.5 Mn-0.04C steel by cold rolling and partial recrystallization. Enhanced mechanical properties in both strength and ductility have been obtained in the composite structure compared to a fully recrystallized coarse grain structure. A further increase in strength with only minor loss in total elongation has been achieved by a slight cold rolling of the composite structure, which also removes the small yield drop and Luders elongation observed in the composite structure.

Fabrication of(TiB/Ti)-TiAl composites with a controlled laminated architecture and enhanced mechanical properties

The(TiB/Ti)-TiAl composites with a laminated structure composing of alternating TiB/Ti composite layers,α_(2)-Ti_(3)Al interfacial reaction layers of andγ-TiAl layers were successfully pre pared by spark plasma sintering of alternately stacked Tib_(2)/Ti powder layers and TiAl powder layers.And the influence of thickness ratio of Tib_(2)/Ti powder layers to TiAl powder layers on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the re sulting(TiB/Ti)-TiAl laminated composites were investigated systemically.The results showed that the thickening ofα_(2)-Ti_(3)Al layers which originated from the reaction of Ti and TiAl was significantly hindered by introducing Tib_(2)particles into starting Ti powders.As the thickness ratio of Tib_(2)/Ti powder layers to TiAl powder layers increased,the bending fracture strength and fracture toughness at room temperature of the final(TiB/Ti)-TiAl laminated composites were remarkably improved,especially for the(TiB/Ti)-TiAl composites prepared by Tib_(2)/Ti powder layers with thickness of 800μm and TiAl powder layers with thickness of 400μm,whose fracture toughness and bending strength were up to 51.2 MPa·m^(1/2)and 1456 MPa,respectively,293%and 108%higher than that of the monolithic TiAl alloys in the present work.This was attributed to the addition of high-performance network TiB/Ti composite layers.Moreover,it was noteworthy that the ultimate tensile strength at 700℃of(TiB/Ti)-TiAl composites fabricated by 400μm thick Tib_(2)/Ti powder layers and 400μm thick TiAl powder layers was as high as that at 550℃of network TiB/Ti composites.This means the service temperature of(TiB/Ti)-TiAl laminated composites was likely raised by 150℃,meanwhile a good combination of high strength and high toughness at ambient tempe rature could be maintained.Finally,the fracture mechanism of(TiB/Ti)-TiAl laminated composites was proposed.

Wave propagation of laminated composite plates via GPU-based wavelet finite element method

This paper presents a novel parallel implementation technology for wave-based structural health monitoring (SHM) in laminated composite plates. The wavelet-based B-spline wavelet on he interval (BSWI) element is constructed according to Hamilton’s principle, and the element by element algorithm is parallelly executed on graphics processing unit (GPU) using compute unified device architecture (CUDA) to get the responses in full wave field accurately. By means of the Fourier spectral analysis method,the Mindlin plate theory is selected for wave modeling of laminated composite plates while the Kirchhoff plate theory predicts unreasonably phase and group velocities. Numerical examples involving wave propagation in laminated composite plates without and with crack are performed and discussed in detail. The parallel implementation on GPU is accelerated 146 times comparing with the same wave motion problem executed on central processing unit (CPU). The validity and accuracy of the proposed parallel implementation are also demonstrated by comparing with conventional finite element method (FEM) and the computation time has been reduced from hours to minutes. The damage size and location have been successfully determined according to wave propagation results based on delay-and-sum (DAS). The results show that the proposed parallel implementation of wavelet finite element method (WFEM) is very appropriate and efficient for wave-based SHM in laminated composite plates.

A Comprehensive Review on Multi-Dimensional Heat Conduction of Multi-Layer and Composite Structures:Analytical Solutions

Heat conduction in multi-layer and composite materials is one of the fundamental heat transfer problems in many industrial applications.Due to different materials types,interface conditions,and various geometries of these laminates,the heat conduction mechanism is more complicated than that of one-layer isotropic media.Analytical solutions are the best ways to study and understand such problems in depth.In this study,different existing analytical solutions for heat conduction in multi-layer and composite materials are reviewed and classified in rectangular,cylindrical,spherical,and conical coordinates.Applied boundary conditions,internal heat source,and thermal contact resistance as the most critical parameters in the solution complexity investigated in the literature,are discussed and summarized in different tables.Various types of multi-layer structures such as isotropic,anisotropic,orthotropic,and reinforced laminates are included in this study.It is found that although more than half a century has passed since the beginning of the research on heat transfer in multi-layer composites,new researches that can help with a better understanding in this area are still being offered.The challenges and shortcomings in this area are also discussed to guide future researches.

A novel laminated metal composite with superior interfacial bonding composed of ultrahigh strength maraging steel and 316L stainless steel

A 5-layer laminated metal composite composed of ultrahigh-strength maraging steel and ductile 316L stainless steel was fabricated by hot pressing in vacuum and post-heat treatment.Microstructure characterization on hierarchical structure of the composite before and after heat treatment was made by optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy and electron back-scattered diffraction technique,respectively.Meanwhile,the difference of mechanical performance on both sides of the interface was characterized by nano-hardness testing.Uniaxial tensile test showed that superior interfacial bonding was achieved due to the micro-‘bite’structure between the two steels without obvious defects or oxides at the interface and with coordinated deformation of the two components.Thus,a laminated metal composite consisting of two different constituents with extreme difference in strength can be well fabricated.

Experiment research on mechanical behavior of the aluminum laminate in the low-high temperature

Aluminum laminate is one kind of the rigidizable composite materials and plays an important role in construction of the inflatable space structure(ISS),which has potential application in space in the future.But the study of the predecessors mainly focuses on the research of the mechanical behavior in the room temperature,for this reason,mechanical properties of the aluminum laminate in low-high temperature have been studied in this paper.The failure mechanism of the aluminum laminate is also analyzed in the microscopic view by JCXA-T33 electron probe.The results show uhat the temperature has significant influence on the strength and Young's modulus of the aluminum laminate.With the increase of temperature,both the strength and Young's modulus of the aluminum laminate decrease.A model between Young's modulus of the aluminum laminate and temperatures is obtained by using Arrhenius equation.The predicted values by the model agree well with the experiment values.