.L. .

ib

NASA Technical Memorandum 100297

Finite Element Substructuring Methods

for Composite Mechanics
(IiASA-TM-lOOZS7) €IINI'€E ELEEEIT N88- 17345
5UBSPBUC3UBIYG U E I H C D S PCB C C l $ € C S I T E
B€CEANICS (NASA) 17 p CSCL 1 f D
Unclas
G3/2U 0 1250S4

Pappu L.N. Murthy

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, Ohio

and

Christos C. Chamis
Lewis R ~ S Center
W ~
Cleveland, Ohio

Prepared for the

International coderace on COmpOsite Materials and structures
sponsored by the India Institute of Technology at Madras
Madras, India, January 6-9, 1988
 F I N I T E ELEMENT SUBSTRUCTURING METHODS FOR COMPOSITE MECHANICS

Pappu L.N. M u r t h y
Cleveland S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y
C i v i l E n g i n e e r i n g Department
C l e v e l a n d , O h i o 44115

Cristos C. Chamis
N a t i o n a l A e r o n a u t i c s and Space A d m i n i s t r a t i o n
Lewis Research Center
C l e v e l a n d , O h i o 44135

SUMMARY

F i n i t e element s u b s t r u c t u r i n g s t r a t e g i e s t o o b t a i n n u m e r i c a l s o l u t i o n s
f o r t h r e e t y p i c a l problems of i n t e r e s t t o t h e composites community, a r e p r e -
sented i n t h i s paper. The key i s s u e common t o these problems i s t h e presence
o f s i n g u l a r or near s i n g u l a r s t r e s s f i e l d s . The r e g i o n s prone t o s e e steep
s t r e s s g r a d i e n t s , a r e s u b s t r u c t u r e d w i t h p r o g r e s s i v e l y r e f i n e d meshes t o s t u d y
t h e l o c a l response s i m u l t a n e o u s l y w i t h t h e g l o b a l response. The r e s u l t s from
t h e s e l e c t examples i n d i c a t e t h a t f i n i t e element s u b s t r u c t u r i n g methods a r e
co c o m p u t a t i o n a l l y e f f e c t i v e f o r composite s i n g u l a r i t y mechanics.
d
m
cr)
I
w
INTRODUCTION

F i n i t e element s u b s t r u c t u r i n g a n a l y s i s has l o n g been r e c o g n i z e d as a v i a -

b l e a l t e r n a t i v e t o a n a l y z e l a r g e s c a l e s t r u c t u r e s . E f f i c i e n t use o f computer
s t o r a g e , r e d u c t i o n i n c o m p u t a t i o n t i m e , and much l e s s t u r n a r o u n d t i m e a r e some
o f t h e advantages o f f i n i t e element s u b s t r u c t u r i n g . Over t h e p a s t few y e a r s ,
a t t h e NASA Lewis Research C e n t e r , some o f t h e s o l u t i o n c a p a b i l i t i e s a v a i l a b l e
i n MSCINASTRAN have been u t i l i z e d t o a n a l y z e s e v e r a l problems r e l a t e d t o com-
p o s i t e s t r u c t u r e s ( r e f s . 1 t o 4 ) . T h i s r e s e a r c h has focused on s i n g u l a r or
near s i n g u l a r s t r e s s f i e l d b e h a v i o r i n composites. The approach has been t o
s u b s t r u c t u r e t h e l o c a l r e g i o n s w i t h a p r o g r e s s i v e l y r e f i n e d mesh and s t u d y t h e
l o c a l response s i m u l t a n e o u s l y w i t h g l o b a l r e s p o n s e . The r e g i o n s chosen f o r
p r o g r e s s i v e r e f i n e m e n t a r e near l o a d a p p l i c a t i o n p o i n t s , c r a c k t i p zones, and
f r e e edges. I t i s a w e l l known f a c t t h a t n e a r - s i n g u l a r or s i n g u l a r s t r e s s
f i e l d s e x i s t i n these r e g i o n s . Experiences w i t h t h e use of f i n i t e element sub-
s t r u c t u r i n g s o l u t i o n s t r a t e g i e s a r e d e s c r i b e d v i a t h r e e t y p i c a l problems which
r e p r e s e n t c u r r e n t i s s u e s o f i n t e r e s t i n t h e composites community. However,
t h e u n d e r l y i n g s o l u t i o n p r i n c i p l e s a r e n o t l i m i t e d t o such problems o n l y .

The s e l e c t e d problems a r e ( 1 ) impact and toughness c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n of

composites u s i n g C h a r p y ' s impact t e s t specimen, ( 2 ) free-edge s t r e s s a n a l y s i s
o f composite l a m i n a t e s , and ( 3 ) f r a c t u r e toughness p r e d i c t i o n s o f composites
for i n d i v i d u a l and combined f r a c t u r e o f modes I,11, and 111. The o b j e c t i v e of
t h i s paper i s t o r e p o r t on t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f t h e f i n i t e element s u b s t r u c t u r -
i n g concept i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h t h e a n a l y s i s o f s t r u c t u r a l composites w i t h
embedded s i n g u l a r i t i e s . Another i m p o r t a n t o b j e c t i v e o f t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y i s t o
see how w e l l one c o u l d r e l a t e t h e g l o b a l response c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t o t h e con-
s t i t u e n t l e v e l p r o p e r t i e s ( f i b e r l m a t r i x micromechanics) u s i n g two- and
t h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a l f i n i t e element a n a l y s i s .
 SELECT EXAMPLES

Impact and Toughness C h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n of Composites

U s i n g C h a r p y ' s Impact T e s t Specimen

Specimen qeometry and f i n i t e element i d e a l i z a t i o n . - The geometry o f t h e

standard Charpy t e s t specimen (ASTM STD E23-7) a l o n g w i t h t h e f i n i t e element
i d e a l i z a t i o n f o r smooth and notched specimens a r e shown i n f i g u r e 1 . Two
* f i n i t e element models o f Charpy t e s t specimens--one w i t h o u t a n o t c h (smooth
specimen) and one w i t h a n o t c h were s e l e c t e d for t h e p r e s e n t s t u d y . The
m a t e r i a l p r o p e r t i e s a r e assumed t o be u n i f o r m , o r t h o t r o p i c , and obey a l i n e a r
s t r e s s - s t r a i n law t h r o u g h o u t t h e a n a l y s i s . I n a d d i t i o n , t h e specimen i s
assumed t o be i n a s t a t e of p l a n e s t r e s s . The p l a n e s t r e s s assumption i s j u s -
t i f i e d from t h e p h y s i c s of t h e problem. The w i d t h r e s t r a i n t s a t t h e n o t c h - t i p
a r e n e g l i g i b l e because of t h e v e r y low v a l u e o f t h e r e s p e c t i v e P o i s s o n ' s r a t i o .
For t h e p r e s e n t a n a l y s i s , t h e p l a n e s t r e s s assumption i m p l i e s t h a t t h e s t r e s s e s
a r e p e r m i t t e d t o v a r y a l o n g t h e specimen l e n g t h and t h r o u g h t h e t h i c k n e s s b u t
n o t across t h e w i d t h . T h i s reduces t h e s t r e s s c a l c u l a t i o n s t o t h r e e ; two n o r -
mal and one shear.

With these assumptions, p l a n e s t r e s s f i n i t e elements can be used t o model

t h e Charpy t e s t specimen. For t h e smooth specimen a l l t h e elements a r e q u a d r i -
l a t e r a l . The notched specimen i s modeled w i t h b o t h t r i a n g u l a r elements and
q u a d r i l a t e r a l elements. The t r i a n g u l a r elements a r e used as t r a n s i t i o n e l e -
ments i n t h e areas around t h e s u p p o r t s , t h e l o a d a p p l i c a t i o n p o i n t , and t h e
n o t c h . These a r e t h e r e g i o n s where maximum s t r e s s c o n c e n t r a t i o n s a r e expected
t o o c c u r and t h e r e f o r e a r e modeled w i t h a f i n e r mesh. The boundary c o n d i t i o n s
p r e s c r i b e d a r e such t h a t t h e node a t t h e l e f t s u p p o r t i s c o n s t r a i n e d from x ,
y, and z d i s p l a c e m e n t s , and t h e node a t t h e r i g h t s u p p o r t i s c o n s t r a i n e d
from y and z d i s p l a c e m e n t s . I n a d d i t i o n , for t h e notched specimen, t h r e e
I nodes c l o s e s t t o t h e r i g h t s u p p o r t a r e c o n s t r a i n e d from d i s p l a c e m e n t i n t h e
y d i r e c t i o n . The specimens a r e s u b j e c t e d t o an i m p u l s e l o a d i n g . The form o f
impact i s a t r i a n g u l a r f u n c t i o n w i t h a peak l o a d o f 2000 l b o c c u r r i n g a t 500 ps
o f a t o t a l c o n t a c t t i m e o f 1000 ps.

The d e t a i l s o f t h e f i n i t e element models f o r t h e smooth and notched s p e c i -

I mens a r e d e s c r i b e d i n r e f e r e n c e 1 .

F i n i t e element a n a l y s i s method. - The M W N A S T R A N g e n e r a l purpose s t r u c -

I
t u r a l a n a l y s i s f i n i t e element computer program i s used f o r t h e f i n i t e element
a n a l y s i s . The s p e c i f i c elements used a r e i d e n t i f i e d as CTRIA3 and CQUAD4.
They a r e i s o p a r a m e t r i c elements. NASTRAN o b t a i n s t h e s o l u t i o n u s i n g a d i s -
placement f o r m u l a t i o n v i a r i g i d f o r m a t s o l u t i o n sequence number 27. T h i s s o l u -
t i o n sequence employs a d i r e c t t i m e i n t e g r a t i o n scheme t o o b t a i n t h e t r a n s i e n t
response o f a s t r u c t u r e s u b j e c t e d t o i m p a c t .

The s o l u t i o n sequence number 27 of M W N A S T R A N uses t h e i n t e g r a t i o n a l g o -

I r i t h m based upon t h e Newmark Beta method ( r e f . 5 ) . I t p r o v i d e s s t a b l e r e s u l t s
f o r t h e w i d e s t p o s s i b l e spectrum of p r a c t i c a l problems w i t h o u t s a c r i f i c i n g
e i t h e r accuracy or e f f i c i e n c y . For complete d e t a i l s o f t h e MSUNASTRAN a n a l y -
s i s , r e f e r e n c e 6 s h o u l d be c o n s u l t e d .
Composite system a n a l y z e d . - F l e x u r a l (Charpy-type) t e s t specimens made
from t h r e e t y p i c a l composite systems a r e a n a l y z e d . They a r e T-300/Epoxy,
Kevlar/Epoxy, and S-GlasslEpoxy composites. The specimens a r e a l l

2
u n i d i r e c t i o n a l composites w i t h t h e f i b e r s p a r a l l e l t o t h e l e n g t h ( x - a x i s ,
f i g . 1 ) o f t h e specimen.

The p l a n e s t r e s s - s t r a i n r e l a t i o n s h i p ( s t i f f n e s s ) c o e f f i c i e n t s r e q u i r e d t o
i n p u t t o NASTRAN a r e o b t a i n e d by u s i n g t h e r e s i d e n t data-bank i n t h e composite
mechanics computer code I C A N ( r e f . 7 ) .

Two t y p e s o f l o a d c o n d i t i o n s a r e used i n o b t a i n i n g t h e r e s u l t s . The f i r s t

i s a s t a t i c l o a d i n g where a f o r c e of 2000 l b i s a p p l i e d a t t h e c e n t e r o f t h e
specimen on t h e t o p s u r f a c e . The second i s an impulse l o a d i n g . T h i s modeled
as a t r i a n g u l a r p u l s e w i t h a peak v a l u e o f 2000 l b i n t h e m i d d l e . The p u l s e
i s modeled t o l a s t f o r 1000 ps. The t r a n s i e n t response i s , however, o b t a i n e d
f o r t h r e e c o n t a c t t i m e p e r i o d s i . e . , 3 ps.

Displacement and s t r e s s wave p r o p a g a t i o n . - The b u l k wave and shear wave

v e l o c i t i e s a r e n o r m a l l y much h i g h e r compared t o t h e f l e x u r a l wave v e l o c i t i e s .
I n o r d e r t o c a p t u r e t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f p r o p a g a t i o n o f these waves, a much
s m a l l e r t i m e s t e p of i n t e g r a t i o n (0.1 ps) i s chosen. F i g u r e 2 shows t h e
dynamic d i s p l a c e m e n t p r o p a g a t i o n i n S-GlasslEpoxy, K e v l a r l E p o x y , and T-300l
Epoxy specimens. Two b u l k wave v e l o c i t y parameters and one shear wave v e l o c i t y
parameter a r e d e f i n e d below t o a i d t h e f o l l o w i n g d i s c u s s i o n o f t h e d i s p l a c e m e n t
wave p r o p a g a t i o n r e s u l t s :

, where Gll = Exx

(1)
-

=e;
‘Bll yxyyyx

c
E
where GZ2 -- A (2)
‘B22 - yxyyyx

Cs12 = i$ ; where G12 = Gxy (3)

where p i s t h e mass d e n s i t y o f t h e m a t e r i a l .

The v e l o c i t i e s a r e expressed i n i n . / p s . The t r e n d i n d i c a t e d by cB22 f o r

t h e t h r e e m a t e r i a l s ( t h e t r a n s v e r s e shock wave t r a v e l s f a s t e s t i n S-GlasslEpoxy
and s l o w e s t i n K e v l a r l E p o x y ) i s seen c l e a r l y i n f i g u r e 2. A r o u g h e s t i m a t e o f
t h e normal wave v e l o c i t y can be o b t a i n e d b y c o u n t i n g t h e number of elements
t h a t appear t o be a f f e c t e d b y t h e impact from f i g u r e 2. The normal wave v e l o c -
i t y e s t i m a t e s from t h e 1 ps and 3 ps frames a r e shown below: ( n o t e t h a t d i s -
placement p r o p a g a t i o n a f t e r 1 ps i s n o t shown i n f i g . 2 )

Composite system Number of elements Velocity Average

1 PS 3 PS 1 sec 3 sec

S-GlasslEpoxy 10 25 0.1313 0.1094 0.1204

T-300lEpoxy 7 16 .0788 .0700 .0744
Kevl a r l E p o x y 5 12 .0657 .0520 .0589

3
 These v a l u e s a r e i n c l o s e agreement w i t h t h e v a l u e s p r e d i c t e d u s i n g equa-
t i o n ( 2 ) f o r cB22. The same t r e n d i s a l s o seen for t h e 3 and 5 ps frames.
I t can be concluded t h a t t h e i n i t i a l shock t r a v e l s w i t h t h e b u l k wave v e l o c i -
t y cB22 a l o n g t h e d i r e c t i o n o f impact.

Once t h e normal shock reaches t h e bottom o f t h e beam, t h e w a v e f r o n t

appears t o be moving i n t h e l o n g i t u d i n a l d i r e c t i o n f o r m i n g a f l e x u r a l wave.
The v e l o c i t i e s o f t h e waves t r a v e l i n g i n t h e l o n g i t u d i n a l d i r e c t i o n can be
e s t i m a t e d w i t h t h e same t e c h n i q u e mentioned e a r l i e r . The f o l l o w i n g a r e t h e
d e t a i l s f o r t h e frame a f t e r 13 ps ( n o t shown i n f i g . 2 ) .

Composite system Number o f elements Velocity,

~
in./ps

S-Glass/Epoxy 11 0.0510
T-3001 EPOXY 9 .0416
Kevlar/Epoxy 7 .0320

The above v e l o c i t i e s have t h e same t r e n d as t h e b u l k shear wave v e l o c i t y

parameter Cs12. However, t h e waves p r o p a g a t i n g i n t h e l o n g i t u d i n a l d i r e c t i o n
appear t o move s i g n i f i c a n t l y s l o w e r t h a n t h e c a l c u l a t e d shear wave v e l o c i t y .
T h i s i s p r o b a b l y due t o t h e c o u p l i n g between t h e f l e x u r a l wave and t h e shear
wave. The f l e x u r a l wave v e l o c i t y i s s i g n i f i c a n t l y s l o w e r t h a n t h e shear wave
v e l o c i t y . For example, t h e smooth S-Glass/Epoxy specimen has a f l e x u r a l wave
v e l o c i t y CF g i v e n b y

~
CF = 2Pf = 0.0137 i n . / p s

I where P i s t h e l e n g t h between t h e s u p p o r t s and f i s t h e f i r s t fundamental

I
f r e q u e n c y . I t i s assumed t h a t t h e wave number i s 1 and t h e beam d e f l e c t s i n t o
l
a h a l f wave.

S t a t i c and dynamic s t r e s s c o n t o u r s . - The s t a t i c and dynamic s t r e s s con-

t o u r s f o r notched S-Glass/Epoxy specimen a r e shown i n f i g u r e 3. They appear
t o be i d e n t i c a l . The peak v a l u e s f o r t h e dynamic l o a d case, however, a r e
~

s l i g h t l y l o w e r t h a n those for t h e s t a t i c case. Steep s t r e s s g r a d i e n t s a r e

observed near t h e l o a d a p p l i c a t i o n p o i n t and a t t h e n o t c h t i p . I t i s seen t h a t
a l l t h e t h r e e s t r e s s e s a t t a i n v e r y h i g h peaks, i n d i c a t i n g severe l o c a l s t r e s s
i n t e n s i t i e s near t h e n o t c h - t i p . A s t h e s t r e s s a l l o w a b l e s for 022 and 012
a r e g e n e r a l l y an o r d e r of magnitude lower t h a n t h a t f o r 011, one can e x c e p t a
m a t r i x i n i t i a t e d f a i l u r e f o l l o w e d by f i b e r f r a c t u r e s a t t h i s l o c a t i o n .

I
Free-Edge S t r e s s A n a l y s i s o f Composite Laminates

Specimen geometry and f i n i t e element i d e a l i z a t i o n . - The geometry o f t h e

l a m i n a t e d p l a t e under s t u d y and t h e f i n i t e element mesh employed f o r t h e p r i -
mary and superelement s t r u c t u r e s a r e shown i n f i g u r e 4.

One element i s used t h r o u g h t h e t h i c k n e s s of each l a y e r . There a r e 7 e l e -

ments a c r o s s t h e p l a t e w i d t h and 28 elements a l o n g t h e p l a t e l e n g t h . A t o t a l
o f 1365 b r i c k elements a r e used t o model t h e p r i m a r y s t r u c t u r e . The s u p e r e l e -
ment c o n t a i n s 224 elements w i t h p r o g r e s s i v e l y d e c r e a s i n g mesh s i z e toward t h e
f r e e edge. With t h i s t y p e o f arrangement, t h e c e n t e r of t h e element n e a r e s t

4
t o t h e edge i s 1/512 i n . from t h e edge. The boundary c o n d i t i o n s imposed a r e
such t h a t a l o n g t h e edge x = 0 e v e r y node i n t h e midplane i s c o n s t r a i n e d from
displacements i n x , y-, and z - d i r e c t i o n s . Also, t h e r e s t of t h e nodes a l o n g
t h e edge x = 0 a r e c o n s t r a i n e d from d i s p l a c e m e n t i n t h e x - d i r e c t i o n . Along
t h e edge x = 28 i n . a u n i f o r m s t r e s s o f magnitude u n i t y i s p r e s c r i b e d .

Cases i n v e s t i g a t e d . - The types o f l a m i n a t e s i n v e s t i g a t e d i n t h e p r e s e n t

study are t h r o u g h (*80), a t 10" i n t e r v a l s . The (e45)s l a m i n a t e i s a l s o
s t u d i e d as a s p e c i a l case s i n c e i t has been g i v e n s u b s t a n t i a l a t t e n t i o n i n t h e
l i t e r a t u r e . The i n t e r p l y l a y e r s a r e assumed t o be i s o t r o p i c w i t h E = 0.5 mpsi
and v = 0.35. These a r e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e p r o p e r t i e s of an epoxy m a t r i x . The
t h i c k n e s s o f t h e i n t e r p l y l a y e r i s t a k e n as 0.000067 i n . The p l i e s a r e assumed
t o be homogeneous and o r t h o t r o p i c . The m a t e r i a l p r o p e r t i e s chosen f o r t h e
p l i e s a r e t y p i c a l of an AS-graphite f i b e r l e p o x y composite system and a r e gener-
a t e d u s i n g , I C A N ( r e f . 7). The d e t a i l s a r e d e s c r i b e d i n r e f e r e n c e 2 .

Free-edge s t r e s s . - I n o r d e r t o s t u d y t h e t h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a l s t r e s s behav-
i o r near t h e s t r a i g h t f r e e edge, a small r e g i o n c l o s e t o edge i s i s o l a t e d and
modeled as a s u b s t r u c t u r e ( s u p e r e l e m e n t ) . T h i s r e g i o n i s shown i n f i g u r e 4.
T y p i c a l r e s u l t s f o r a ( ~ 1 0 )AS-graphite/epoxy
~ l a m i n a t e a r e shown i n f i g u r e 5 .
The s i x s t r e s s e s , which were o b t a i n e d near t h e free-edge r e g i o n , a r e summarized
i n f i g u r e 5. These r e s u l t s a r e p l o t t e d a g a i n s t a l e n g t h parameter Xf a l o n g
a c e n t r a l l i n e p e r p e n d i c u l a r t o t h e f r e e edge. The l e n g t h parameter Xf i s
r e l a t e d t o t h e d i s t a n c e from t h e f r e e edge Lf ( f i g . 4) by

Xf = 1 - Lf (4)
I n t h e f i g u r e t h e dashed l i n e s r e p r e s e n t t h e s t r e s s computed a t t h e c e n t e r o f
(+.e> p l y elements. The s o l i d l i n e s r e p r e s e n t t h e s t r e s s computed a t t h e cen-
t e r o f t h e i n t e r p l y l a y e r between (+e) and (-8)l a y e r s . The s t r e s s e s a r e n o r -
m a l i z e d w i t h r e s p e c t t o t h e a p p l i e d s t r e s s uXxaD.The c l a s s i c a l l a m i n a t e
a n a l y s i s p r e d i c t i o n s f o r these n o r m a l i z e d s t r e s s e s a r e

0
-xx = 1; k = O (5)
0 U
x X" x xm
I n p l a n e s t r e s s e s o~~~~ and u . - The i n p l a n e s t r e s s e s u X x , ox
and u approach c l a s s i c a l l a d z o r y p r e d i c t i o n s i n t h e i n t e r i o r o f ' t h e
p l y . Syose t o t h e f r e e edge, however, s i g n i f i c a n t changes i n t h e s e s t r e s s e s
a r e c l e a r l y seen. The t r a n s v e r s e normal s t r e s s uYy i n t h e +e p l y appears
t o be n e g l i g i b l e . However, i t does n o t v a n i s h because of t h e presence o f t h e
i n t e r p l y l a y e r . The maximum uYy observed i n t h e +e p l y i s l e s s t h a n
10 p e r c e n t o f t h e a p p l i e d s t r e s s . The oxy s t r e s s i n t h e i n t e r p l y l a y e r i s
n e g l i g i b l e and can n o t be seen d i s t i n c t l y . Both oxy and u X x i n t h e +e
p l y a r e seen t o approach a f i n i t e v a l u e near t h e edge. A s i g n r e v e r s a l i s
observed f o r these s t r e s s e s .

I n t e r l a m i n a r s t r e s s e s uX7, u ~ ~ ,
uXz has t h e g r e a t e s t magnitude among and "'r .
- The i n t e r l a m i n a r shear s t r e s s
these s r e s s e s . A s t e e p i n c r e a s e i n mag-
n i t u d e i s seen near t h e free-edge zone. The s t r e s s magnitude i n t h e i n t e r p l y
l a y e r i s h i g h e r t h a n t h a t o f t h e +e p l y . The i n t e r l a m i n a r normal s t r e s s uZz
appears t o be of minor s i g n i f i c a n c e . However, i t does have a d e f i n i t e t r e n d .
Two s i g n r e v e r s a l s a r e c l e a r l y noted. I t s t a r t s as a compressive s t r e s s i n t h e

5
i n t e r i o r of t h e p l y or t h e i n t e r p l y l a y e r , becomes a t e n s i l e s t r e s s f o r a s h o r t
d i s t a n c e c l o s e r t o t h e edge, and t h e n r e v e r t s t o a compressive s t r e s s near t h e
edge. The maximum uZz observed i s about 3 p e r c e n t o f t h e a p p l i e d s t r e s s .

E f f e c t o f w i d t h t o t h i c k n e s s r a t i o on i n t e r l a m i n a r s t r e s s peaks. - A l i m -
i t e d s t u d y w i t h (245) symmetric l a m i n a t e has been conducted t o assess t h e
e f f e c t o f - w i d t h t o t h i c k n e s s r a t i o on t h e i n t e r l a m i n a r s t r e s s peaks. The
s t r e s s e s o X z and uZz a r e s e l e c t e d for t h e s t u d y because t h e y appeared t o be
t h e o n l y s i g n i f i c a n t i n t e r l a m i n a r s t r e s s e s . The r e s u l t s a r e shown i n f i g u r e 6 .
The s t r e s s e s a r e computed 31512 i n . from t h e f r e e edge. Four r a t i o s o f W/h,
where W i s t h e and h i s t h e t h i c k n e s s , a r e chosen i n t h e s t u d y . The
r e s u l t s show s i g n i f i c a n t s e n s i t i v i t y t o t h e W/h r a t i o . Both s t r e s s e s appear
t o have s u b s t a n t i a l magnitudes for t h e l a m i n a t e w i t h W/h = 8 . A s t h e l a m i -
n a t e becomes t h i n n e r , however, uzz appears t o r e a c h a z e r o v a l u e w h i l e o X z
c o n t i n u e s t o have a s i g n i f i c a n t magnitude.

F r a c t u r e Toughness P r e d i c t i o n s o f Composites f o r I n d i v i d u a l
and Combined F r a c t u r e o f Modes I,11, 111.

Geometry and f i n i t e element i d e a l i z a t i o n . - The t h r e e p o i n t bend t e s t spe-

cimens f o r end n o t c h f l e x u r e (ENF) and mixed mode f l e x u r e (MMF) a r e used i n t h e
f i n i t e element e v a l u a t i o n o f t h e f r a c t u r e toughness f o r composites. These
t e s t s have been t h e s u b j e c t o f d i s c u s s i o n and e v a l u a t i o n o f ASTM 030.02 and
D30.04 subcommittee meetings and s p e c i a l t y symposia sponsored by t h e i r subcom-
m i t t e e s ( r e f . 3 ) . F i g u r e 7 d e s c r i b e s t h e geometry and f i g u r e 8 shows t h e
d e t a i l s o f t h e f i n i t e element model w i t h t h e c r a c k - t i p superelement.

A l i n e l o a d was a p p l i e d a t t h e specimen midspan. The magnitude o f t h i s

l o a d was 120 l b . T h i s magnitude corresponds t o t h e e x p e r i m e n t a l l o a d which
induced u n s t a b l e c r a c k p r o p a g a t i o n ( r e f . 3). The c r a c k e x t e n s i o n p r o p a g a t i o n
was s i m u l a t e d by p r o g r e s s i v e l y d e l e t i n g i n t e r p l y l a y e r elements and r e p e a t i n g
t h e FEA as d e s c r i b e d i n r e f e r e n c e 4 .

The composite m a t e r i a l s i m u l a t e d was AS-graphite f i b e r l e p o x y m a t r i x ( A S / E >

u n i d i r e c t i o n a l composite. The u n i d i r e c t i o n a l p l y p r o p e r t i e s , t h e i n t e r p l y
l a y e r t h i c k n e s s and i t s p r o p e r t i e s , and t h e a p p r o p r i a t e m a t e r i a l p r o p e r t i e s
r e q u i r e d f o r t h e t h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a l f i n i t e element a n a l y s i s w e r e g e n e r a t e d w i t h
t h e a i d o f I C A N ( r e f . 7 ) . The p r o p e r t i e s f o r t h e i n t e r p l y l a y e r s were assumed
t o be t h e same as those for t h e m a t r i x . The s p e c i f i c v a l u e s f o r t h e t h r e e -
dimensional composite p r o p e r t i e s ( u s i n g M S U N A S T R A N d e s i g n a t i o n ) and i n t e r p l y
l a y e r t h i c k n e s s p r e d i c t e d by I C A N a r e d e s c r i b e d i n r e f e r e n c e 3.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The modes I 1 SERR ( s t r a i n energy r e l e a s e r a t e ) , using the l o c a l crack clo-

sure method ( r e f . 3), s shown i n f i g u r e 9 (dashed 1 ne) f o r 0.6 FVR. The
curve determined u s i n g t h e g l o b a l method i s a l s o p l o t e d f o r comparison. he
range o f l i m i t e d exper mental d a t a ( r e f . 3) i s shown by dashed h o r i z o n t a l
l i n e s . Three p o i n t s a r e w o r t h n o t i n g i n f i g u r e 9:

( 1 ) The g l o b a l method p r e d i c t s h i g h e r GI values than the l o c a l crack

c l o s u r e method.

6
 ( 2 ) The two methods p r e d i c t s i m i l a r composite i n t e r l a m i n a r f r a c t u r e
behavior .

( 3 ) A c o n s e r v a t i v e assessment o f t h e composite i n t e r l a m i n a r f r a c t u r e char-

a c t e r i s t i c s can be o b t a i n e d b y u s i n g t h e G I I determined from t h e l o c a l c r a c k
c l o s u r e method.

The mixed mode ( I and 11) composite i n t e r l a m i n a r f r a c t u r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s ,

determined from t h e l o c a l c r a c k c l o s u r e method, a r e shown i n f i g u r e 10 f o r a
composite w i t h 0 . 6 FVR. The f r a c t u r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s for each mode (mode I and
1 1 ) a r e compared w i t h those p r e d i c t e d for t h e mixed mode by u s i n g t h e g l o b a l
method ( s o l i d l i n e ) and t h e a l g e b r a i c sum of t h e two modes from t h e l o c a l
method ( s h o r t dashed l i n e ) . The f o l l o w i n g o b s e r v a t i o n s a r e w o r t h n o t i n g i n
f i g u r e 10:

( 1 ) Both t h e l o c a l c r a c k c l o s u r e and t h e g l o b a l methods p r e d i c t s i m i l a r

mixed mode (mode I and 11) f r a c t u r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s .

( 2 ) The l o c a l c r a c k c l o s r e method p r e d i c t s low r mixed mode G values

t h a n t h e g l o b a l method.

( 3 ) Mode I1 f r a c t u r e dom n a t e s t h e c r a c k e x t e n s on d u r i n g slow and s t a b l e

c r a c k g r o w t h ( a < 1.05 i n . ) .

( 4 ) Mode I dominates t h e c r a c k e x t e n s i o n d u r i n g u n s t a b l e c r a c k g r o w t h and

r a p i d c r a c k p r o p a g a t i o n ( a > .15 i n . ) .

The g e n e r a l c o n c l u s i o n s t o be drawn from t h e above o b s e r v a t i o n s a r e :

( 1 ) The c o n t r i b u t i o n o f each f r a c t u r e mode can be determined u s i n g t h e

l o c a l c r a c k c l o s u r e method.

( 2 ) Mode I d r i v e s t h e composite i n t e r l a m i n a r d e l a m i n a t i o n i n MMF

specimens.

( 3 ) The l o c a l method p r o v i d e s a c o n s e r v a t i v e assessment o f mixed mode com-

p o s i t e i n t e r l a m i n a r f r a c t u r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s as was t h e case f o r mode 11.

Mixed Modes I , 11, and I11

i n Composi t e Lami n a t e s

The c o m p u t a t i o n a l procedure d e s c r i b e d i n r e f e r e n c e 3 has been m o d i f i e d t o

d e t e r m i n e mixed modes I , 11, and I11 i n composite l a m i n a t e s ( r e f . 4 ) . The lam-
i n a t e c o n f i g u r a t i o n s used i n these s t u d i e s were unbalanced, and unsymmetric
C-8m/+en1. These l a m i n a t e s were s e l e c t e d i n o r d e r t o e v a l u a t e t h e e f f e c t s o f
the d i f f e r e n t laminate material-coupling c o e f f i c i e n t s . i n the laminate f o r c e
d e f o r m a t i o n r e l a t i o n s h i p s , on t h e i n d i v i d u a l and mixed mode f r a c t u r e s t r a i n
energy r e l e a s e r a t e s (SERR).

The s p e c i f i c l a m i n a t e s (-836/+8121, 8 = 0", 15", 30°, 45", 60", 75", and

90") were i n v e s t i g a t e d f o r t h e l a m i n a t e c o n f i g u r a t i o n e f f e c t s on t h e SERR. A t
t h e 8 = 45" p o s i t i o n , a t o t a l o f t h r e e cases ([-45m/45121, m = 36, 60, and 84)
were i n v e s t i g a t e d f o r t h e i n t e r l a m i n a r c r a c k l o c a t i o n e f f e c t s on SERR. It i s
i m p o r t a n t t o n o t e t h a t these s p e c i f i c l a m i n a t e c o n f i g u r a t i o n s and t h e

7
i n t e r l a m i n a r c r a c k l o c a t i o n s were s e l e c t e d o n l y for c o m p u t a t i o n a l s i m u l a t i o n
convenience. They r e p r e s e n t j u s t one a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e p r e s e n t p r o c e d u r e .

Effects o f P l y O r i e n t a t i o n

The e f f e c t s o f p l y o r i e n t a t i o n on t h e maximum i n d i v i d u a l and mixed mode

f r a c t u r e SERR (assuming a 480 l b l o a d ) a r e p l o t t e d i n f i g u r e 1 1 f o r t h e seven
cases o f t h e C-836/+8121 (9 = 0", 15", 30", 45", 60", 75", and 90") A S / E lam-
i n a t e . The r e l a t i v e dominance of t h e opening f r a c t u r e mode SERR (GI) and t h e
n e g l i g i b l e c o n t r i b u t i o n of t h e t e a r i n g f r a c t u r e mode SERR (GIII), on t h e maxi-
mum mixed f r a c t u r e mode SERR ( G T ) a r e c l e a r l y observed i n t h i s f i g u r e .
Another o b s e r v a t i o n i s t h a t t h e "maximum" magnitude of mixed mode f r a c t u r e (GT)
l e v e l s o f f a t p l y a n g l e o r i e n t a t i o n s g r e a t e r t h a n 60".

The above o b s e r v a t i o n s l e a d t o t h e f o l l o w i n g c o n c l u s i o n s : ( 1 ) t h e r a p i d
or u n s t a b l e i n t e r l a m i n a r c r a c k g r o w t h i s dominated by t h e opening f r a c t u r e
mode; ( 2 ) t h e t e a r i n g f r a c t u r e mode SERR (GI) i s n e g l i g i b l e compared t o GT
f o r p l y o r i e n t a t i o n a n g l e s g r e a t e r t h a n 60"; ( 3 ) t h e i n d i v i d u a l f r a c t u r e modes
(GI and GII) and t h e mixed mode f r a c t u r e a r e p r a c t i c a l l y independent o f p l y
o r i e n t a t i o n a n g l e g r e a t e r t h a n 60"; and ( 4 ) p l y o r i e n t a t i o n angles l e s s t h a n
60" have s i g n i f i c a n t i n f l u e n c e on t h e SERR o f i n d i v i d u a l f r a c t u r e mode and
mixed mode f r a c t u r e .

E f f e c t s of Laminate C o n f i g u r a t i o n

The e f f e c t s of t h e l a m i n a t e c o n f i g u r a t i o n on t h e SERR due t o a 480 l b l o a d

a r e a l s o shown i n f i g u r e 11. The e f f e c t s on t h e i n d i v i d u a l f r a c t u r e mode
SERR's are p l o t t e d i n f i g u r e l l ( a ) t o ( c ) . The SERR f o r t h e mixed f r a c t u r e
mode (GT) i s p l o t t e d i n f i g u r e l l ( d ) . The i m p o r t a n t o b s e r v a t i o n s i n t h i s f i g -
u r e a r e : ( 1 ) t h e s h e a r i n g mode f r a c t u r e SERR (GII) appears t o r e a c h a maximum
and t h e n decrease w i t h i n c r e a s i n g c r a c k o p e n i n g f o r p r a c t i c a l l y a l l t h e l a m i -
n a t e c o n f i g u r a t i o n s , (2) t h e t e a r i n g mode f r a c t u r e SERR (GIII), on t h e o t h e r
hand, c o n t i n u e s t o i n c r e a s e w i t h c r a c k l e n g t h f o r some l a m i n a t e c o n f i g u r a t i o n s .

The c o n c l u s i o n from t h e above d i s c u s s i o n i s t h a t l a m i n a t e c o n f i g u r a t i o n s

can be s e l e c t e d f o r " s t a b l e " s h e a r i n g and t e a r i n g f r a c t u r e mode c r a c k growth
f o r g i v e n composite components and l o a d i n g s . I t i s i m p o r t a n t t o keep i n mind
t h a t advantages o f t h i s can be t a k e n o n l y i n t h e absence o f opening mode
fracture.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

The s i g n i f i c a n t g e n e r a l and s p e c i f i c c o n c l u s i o n s of t h e p r e s e n t i n v e s t i g a -
t i o n a r e 1 i s t e d below:

General Conclusions

1 . F i n i t e element s u b s t r u c t u r i n g methods a r e c o m p u t a t i o n a l l y e f f e c t i v e i n
d e a l i n g w i t h t h e i s s u e s r e l a t e d t o s i n g u l a r l n e a r s i n g u l a r s t r e s s f i e l d s encoun-
t e r e d i n advanced composite s t r u c t u r e s .

8
 2 . These methods a r e used a t NASA Lewis Research C e n t e r t o a n a l y z e a v a r i -
e t y o f problems o f c u r r e n t i n t e r e s t t o t h e composites community.

3. The r e s u l t s i n d i c a t e t h e v e r s a t i l i t y o f t h e f i n i t e element s u b s t r u c t u r -
i n g methods i n t h e c o m p u t a t i o n a l s i m u l a t i o n o f t h e complex composite s i n g u l a r -
it y problems.

S pe c if i c Con c 1 u s ion s
1 . The wave p r o p a g a t i o n v e l o c i t i e s can be e s t i m a t e d from t h e e a r l y t i m e
displacement p r o p a g a t i o n response,. t h e e s t i m a t e s a r e i n f a i r agreement w i t h
the t h e o r e t i c a l p r e d i c t i o n s .

2 . The dynamic and s t a t i c peak l o a d s t r e s s c o n t o u r s a r e a l m o s t i d e n t i c a l .

The s t a t i c peak l o a d s t r e s s magnitudes a r e s l i g h t l y h i g h e r . S t r e s s p r e d i c t i o n s
based upon a q u a s i - s t a t i c approach l e a d t o c o n s e r v a t i v e e s t i m a t e s .

3. The n o t c h - t i p r e g i o n develops severe s t r e s s c o n c e n t r a t i o n s and any o f

t h e t h r e e s t r e s s e s c o u l d cause or i n i t i a t e a f a i l u r e .

4 . The i n t e r l a m i n a r s t r e s s e s uXz, uZz, and uTY a r e o f second o r d e r

compared t o u X x i n g e n e r a l . However, t h e i n t e r l a m i n a r shear s t r e s s a X Z
c o u l d become s u b s t a n t i a l i n t h e i n t e r p l y l a y e r free-edge r e g i o n depending on
the c o n f i g u r a t i o n of the angleply laminate.

5 . P r o g r e s s i v e mesh r e f i n e m e n t i s an e f f e c t i v e way t o d e s c r i b e t h e behav-

i o r o f t h e i n t e r l a m i n a r s t r e s s e s as t h e f r e e edge i s approached. The r e s u l t s
i n d i c a t e s t a b l e convergence of these s t r e s s e s w i t h some n o i s e as t h e f r e e edge
i s approached.
6. The magnitudes of t h e i n t e r l a m i n a r s t r e s s peaks a r e s e n s i t i v e t o t h e
w i d t h to t h i c k n e s s r a t i o o f t h e l a m i n a t e . R e s u l t s o b t a i n e d from r e l a t i v e l y
narrow specimens a r e n o t i n d i c a t i v e o f p r a c t i c a l l a m i n a t e b e h a v i o r .

7. The i n d i v i d u a l and mixed mode f r a c t u r e SERR can be r e a d i l y determined

u s i n g a c o m p u t a t i o n a l s i m u l a t i o n procedure t h a t c o n s i s t s o f t h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a l
f i n i t e element a n a l y s i s and i n t e g r a t e d composite mechanics.

8 . I n d i v i d u a l and mixed mode f r a c t u r e SERR magnitude o f [-0,/+8n] are

s t r o n g l y i n f l u e n c e d by c r a c k l e n g t h , p l y a n g l e , and i n t e r l a m i n a r c r a c k l o c a -
t i o n . However, t h e maximum magnitude of t h e mixed mode f r a c t u r e SERR (GT> i s
p r a c t i c a l l y independent f o r p l y o r i e n t a t i o n s g r e a t e r t h a n 60"

9 . The t e a r i n g f r a c t u r e mode SERR (GIII) has t h e s m a l l e s t magnitude com-

pared t o opening (GI) and s h e a r i n g (GII) f r a c t u r e modes for t h i s case. The
t e a r i n g f r a c t u r e mode i s g e n e r a l l y p r e s e n t i n c o m b i n a t i o n s w i t h o t h e r f r a c t u r e
modes.

10. S t r e s s magnitudes ahead of t h e c r a c k t i p can be compared w i t h c o r r e -

sponding l o c a l l a m i n a t e s t r e n g t h s i n o r d e r t o d e t e r m i n e t h e dominant s t r e s s
which d r i v e s t h e c r a c k .

1 1 . C o l l e c t i v e l y t h e r e s u t s demonstrate t h a t t h e procedure d e s c r i b e d
h e r e i n can be used t o computat o n a l l y s i m u l a t e / e v a l u a t e mixed mode f r a c t u r e
toughness parameters i n compos t e components s u b j e c t e d t o complex l o a d i n g s .

9
 REFERENCES

1 . M u r t h y , P.L.N.; and Chamis, C . C . : Dynamic S t r e s s A n a l y s i s o f Smooth and

Notched F i b e r Composite F l e x u r a l Specimens. Composite M a t e r i a l s : T e s t i n g
and Design, ASTM STP 893, J.M. Whitney, e d . , American S o c i e t y f o r T e s t i n g
and M a t e r i a l s , 1986, pp. 368-391. (NASA TM-83694).

2. M u r t h y , P.L.N ; and Chamis, C.C.: A S t u d y of I n t e r p l y L a y e r E f f e c t s o n

t h e F r e e Edge S t r e s s F i e l d of A n g l e p l i e d Laminates. Comp. S t r u c t . , v o l .
20, no. 1-3, 985, p p . 431-441. (NASA TM-86924).

3. M u r t h v . P.L.N ; and Chamis, C . C . : I n t e r l a m i n a r F r a c t u r e Toughness:

ThreeLDimensional F i n i t e Element M o d e l i n g for End-Notch and M i xed-Mode
F l e x u r e . (NASA TM-87138), 1985.

4. M u r t h y , P.L.N.; and Chamis, C . C . : Composite I n t e r l a m i n a r F r a c t u r e Tough-

ness 3-D F i n i t e Element M o d e l i n g f o r Mixed Mode I,11, and I11 F r a c t u r e , "
(NASA TM-88872>, 1986.

5. Newmark, N.M.: Method of Computation f o r S t r u c t u r a l Dynamics. J . Eng.

Mech. D i v . , Am. SOC. C i v . Eng., v o l . 85, no. EM-3, p t . 1, J u l y 1959, p p .
67-94.

6. MacNeal, R . H . : The NASTRAN T h e o r e t i c a l Manual, ( L e v e l 1 5 . 5 ) . MacNeal-

Schwendler Corp., 1972.

7. M u r t h y , P.L.N.; and Chamis, C . C . : I n t e g r a t e d Composite A n a l y z e r ( I C A N ) :

U s e r s and Programmers Manual, NASA TP-2515, 1986.

I 10
 I

1 +0887--] 'L450
I

END SUPPORT

B
FIGURE 1. - ASTM CHARPY TEST SPECIMEN AND F I N I T E ELEMENT IDEALIZATION
of SMOOTH AND NOTCHED SPECIMENS.

DISPLACEMENT PROPAGATI ON

3 MICROSECOND FRAMES 5 MICROSECOND FRAMES

KEVLAR/EPOXY

S/GLASS/EPOXY
FIGURE 2 . - DYNAMIC DISPLACEMENT PROPAGATION I N THE THREE COMPOSITE SYSTEMS SELECTED AFTER 3 US AND 5 VS.

11
 yii$
~

65

STATIC STRESS CONTOURS STAT I C STRESS CONTOURS STATIC STRESS CONTOURS

oxx *Y Y OXY

y!i$ii$ 65

DYNAMIC STRESS CONTOURS DYNAMIC STRESS CONTOURS DYNAMIC STRESS CONTOURS

oxx uY Y OXY
FIGURE 3 . - DYNAMIC/STATIC STRESS CONTOURS NEAR THE NOTCH REGION AT PEAK LOAD FOR S-GLASS/EPOXY NOTCHED FLEXURAL
SPEC ]MEN,

-4
FREE-EDGE SUPERELEPENT X

FIGURE 4. - ANGLEPLIED LAMINATED PLATE GEOMETRY AND THE F I N I T E ELEMENT

IDEALIZATION.

12 ORIGINAL PAGE IS
pbi JDOR QUALITY
 8
,007

8
.2 r 1.5

x 8
X X
\p 0
\
w. x
0 0 0%

- .006 -.06 -.3

c
k-.
. 0 2 r .06
II I-
x

-.01
FIGURE 5 . - FREE-EDGE STRESSES I N +loo AND INTERPLY LAYERS OF (f10)LAMINATE. (SOLID CURVE. INTERPLY LAYER: DASHED
CURVE, CNETER OF THE PLY).

.8 '

13
 V

NIXED-NOTCH-FLEXURE (ENF)-SHEAR MODE ( I I )

2. w

, I *

1.---Lic"-I
MIXED-MODE-FLEXURE ( P W - M I X E D NODE ( I 11)
FIGURE 7. - SCHEMATIC OF FLEXURAL TEST FOR INTERLAMINAR FRACTURE MODE TOUGHNESS.
NOTE: ORIGIN AT LEFT SUPPORT BOTTOM.

I SUPERELEMENT -/ SUPPORT -./

I
L SUPPORT
FIGURE 8. - F I N I T E ELEMENT IDEALIZATION OF THE FLEXURE TEST SPECIMENS AND THE BACK-LIP SUPERELEMENT.

14
 I DELFECTION (W)
b- 4.0" 4-
-
-----
GLOBAL MIXED (I 8 1 1 )

-
--
LOCAL MIXED ( I 8 11)
LOCAL
LOCAL
I
I1
5-

!ODE ( 1 1 ) E 4-
MEASURED v)
a
RANGE
W
.3-
I-
W

0 I
1 .o 1.1 1.2 1.3 1 .o 1.1 1.2 1.3
CRACK LENGTH. a, IN. CRACK LENGTH. a, IN.
FIGURE 9. - END-NOTCH FLEXURE ENERGY RELEASE RATE COMPARISON. FIGURE 10. - MIXED-MODE-FLEXURE ENERGY RELEASE RATE AND
COMPONENTS ( A W E ) . LOCAL CLOSURE METHOD.

e = goo 75O
I ,- 450

/ 6oo
450

30'
15'
00
2"
(A) OPENING RODE (6';). (C) TEARING MODE (GIII).

-
I
. 6or e = goo
36 -

7.00 1.05 1.10 1.15 1.20 1.25 .OO 1.05 1-10 1.15 1.20 1.25
CRACK OPENING LENGTH. IN.
(B) SHEARING RODE (GII). (D) MIXED MODE (GT).

FIGURE 11. - EFFECT OF LAHINATE CONFIGURATION ON STRAIN ENERGY RELEASE RATES ([-e36/+e12~:
A W E WITH 0.6 FVR).

15
 NASA
National Aeronautics and
Report Documentation Page
1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No.

NASA TM-100297
5. Report Date

6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No.

Pappu L.N. Murthy and Christos C. Chamis E-3946

10. Work Unit No.

505-63-1 1
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
11. Contract or Grant No.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lewis Research Center
C1 eve1 and, Ohio 441 35-31 91 13. Type of Report and Period Covered

2. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

Technical Memorandum
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 14. Sponsoring Agency Code
Wa,:hington, D.C. 20546-0001

5. Supplementary Notes
Prepared for the International Conference on Composite Materials and Structures,
sponsored by the India Institute of Technology at Madras, Madras, India, January
6-9, 1988. Pappu L.N. Murthy, Cleveland State University, Civil Engineering
Department, Cleveland, Ohio 44115; Christos C. Chamis, NASA Lewis Research
Center.
6. Abstract

Finite element substructuring strategies to obtain numerical solutions for three

typical problems o f interest to the composites community, are presented in this
paper. The key issue common to these problems is the presence of singular or
near singular stress fields. The regions prone t o see steep stress gradients,
are substructured with progressively refined meshes to study the local response
simultaneously with the global response. The results from the select examples
indicate that finite element substructuring methods are computational ly
effective for composite singularity mechanics.

7. Key Words (Suggested by Author@)) 18. Distribution Statement

i b e r composites; S t r e s s wave p r o p a g a t i o n ;
r a c t u r e toughness; F r e e edge s t r e s s e s ; Delami n a t i o n ;
ubstructure; I n t e r p l y l a y e r ; Interlaminar fracture; Unclassified - Unlimited
ode I ; Mode 11; Mode 1 1 1 ; Mixed-mode f r a c t u r e ;
t r a i n energy r e l e a s e r a t e composite mechanics: Subject Category 24
r a n s i e n t response; Superelement
3 Security Classif (of this report) 20 Security Classif (of this page) 21 No of pages 22 Price'
. .