Open Access

ARTICLE

Multiscale Fatigue Life Prediction for Composite Panels

by Brett A. Bednarcyk¹, Phillip W. Yarrington², Steven M. Arnold³

1 NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, 44135
2 Collier Research Corp., Newport News, VA, 23606
3 NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, 44135

Computers, Materials & Continua 2013, 35(3), 229-254. https://doi.org/10.3970/cmc.2013.035.229

Abstract

Fatigue life prediction capabilities have been incorporated into the HyperSizer Composite Analysis and Structural Sizing Software. The fatigue damage model is introduced at the fiber/matrix constituent scale through HyperSizer’s coupling with NASA’s MAC/GMC micromechanics software. This enables prediction of the micro scale damage progression throughout stiffened and sandwich panels as a function of cycles leading ultimately to simulated panel failure. The fatigue model implementation uses a cycle jumping technique such that, rather than applying a specified number of additional cycles, a specified local damage increment is specified and the number of additional cycles to reach this damage increment is calculated. In this way, the effect of stress redistribution due to damage-induced stiffness change is captured, but the fatigue simulations remain computationally efficient. The model is compared to experimental fatigue life data for two composite facesheet/foam core sandwich panels, demonstrating very good agreement.

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