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Design and Manufacture of Elastically Tailored Tow Placed PlatesElastic stiffness tailoring of laminated composite panels by allowing the fibers to curve within the plane of the laminate is a relatively novel design concept that has been demonstrated to be both beneficial and practical. In particular, for structures with highly non-uniform stress states, such as the case of a flat panel with a central hole subjected to in-plane loading, the concept is likely to provide substantial improvements in load carrying capability. The objective of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of stiffness tailoring through the use of curvilinear fibers to reduce stress concentrations around the hole and improve the load carrying capability of panels with holes. In this study software was created that translates standard finite element models with traditional laminate definitions into ones that possess stacking sequences with curvilinear fiber paths that are directly manufacturable using an advanced tow placement machine. Preliminary designs for the manufacturing and testing phase were determined through rudimentary design studies for flat plates without holes under axial compression. These candidate designs were then analyzed using finite element models that accurately reflect the test conditions and geometries in order to select final designs for testing. A total of six large panels, measuring three feet by six feet, each of which are used to produce four specimens with or without holes, were fabricated and delivered to NASA for machining and testing.
Document ID
20020073162
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Tatting, Brain F. (Adoptech, Inc. Blacksburg, VA United States)
Guerdal, Zafer (Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ. Blacksburg, VA United States)
Jegley, Dawn
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 2002
Subject Category
Structural Mechanics
Report/Patent Number
NASA/CR-2002-211919
NAS 1.26:211919
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS1-00135
PROJECT: RTOP 706-21-21-01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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