Understanding Delamination Suppression at High Deformation Rates in Through-Thickness Reinforced Laminated Composites

Lead Research Organisation: Imperial College London
Department Name: Aeronautics

Abstract

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Publications

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Cui H (2017) Bridging mechanisms of through-thickness reinforcement in dynamic mode I&II delamination in Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

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Mohamed G (2018) Cohesive element formulation for z-pin delamination bridging in fibre reinforced laminates in International Journal of Solids and Structures

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Cui H (2018) Dynamic bridging mechanisms of through-thickness reinforced composite laminates in mixed mode delamination in Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

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Cui H. (2017) Dynamic bridging response of through-thickness reinforcement in composite laminates in ICCM International Conferences on Composite Materials

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Zhang B (2015) Micro-mechanical finite element analysis of Z-pins under mixed-mode loading in Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

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Hijazi H. (2017) Mode I rate dependent MESO-mechanics of Z-pins in ICCM International Conferences on Composite Materials

 
Description Through-thickness reinforcement (TTR) consists in the introduction of reinforcing tows orthogonal to the plane of a composite laminates. These tows strongly enhance the fracture toughness of the material, reducing its susceptibility to impact. However, most characterisation and modelling techniques for TTR composites are based on quasi-static loading condition, while the actual in-service scenario involve relatively high speed impacts. Tests on TTR coupons in split Hopkinsons bars have pointed out that the TTR performance worsen in dynamic regimes. A novel peridynamic approach for describing the bridging behaviour of Z-pins at high deformation rates has been developed and fully validated. Six papers have been published to disseminate the output of this research to the wider academic community, as well as to the aerospace and automotive industry
Exploitation Route The application of TTR in composite structures is key for the certification of impact tolerant aerospace components.
Sectors Aerospace, Defence and Marine
 
Description The final findings generated in this project have been disseminated to the industrial consortium supporting the grant, which comprises Rolls-Royce plc, BAE Systems and Hexcel UK. A final dissemination meeting with the industrial consortium has been held last October at the National Composites Centre. A full characterisation of the behaviour of through-thickness reinforcement at high deformation rates has been undertaken and suitable modelling techniques have been implemented in order to provide designers with a predictive capability to deploy TTR as a means for delamination suppression in composite structures undergoing impact loading It has been demonstrated the the delamination suppression function of through-thickness reinforcement is hindered by high strain rates at all mode-mixities. A peridynamic model has been developed to describe the bridging behaviour of single Z-pin at high deformation rates and implemented into FE analysis for component-level simulations. This modelling framework provides predictions in excellent agreement with experimental results.
First Year Of Impact 2017
Sector Aerospace, Defence and Marine
Impact Types Economic