Experimental estimation of the transverse tensile strength of carbon-reinforced plastics

The transverse tensile strength of carbon-reinforced plastics is estimated on the basis of the results of bending tests on open rings and segments. It is shown that structural discontinuities due to technological factors sharply reduce the transverse tensile strength of carbon-reinforced plastics. The radial stresses have an important influence on the strength of segments tested in three-point bending.     

Analysis of Compression Stress of a Filler and Bending of a Sandwich Panel under Multipoint Loading

The distribution of transverse stresses in the midlayer of a composite sandwich panel under multipoint loading is investigated. The stresses averaged across the thickness of a soft filler are estimated using a discrete model. Finite expressions for the compression of the filler along the length of the panel are derived by means of superposition of the local effects from the bending of face layers under an infinite system of transverse point forces constant across the panel thickness. The effects of compression and transverse extension of the filler, in the case of a high distribution frequency of these forces, i.e., when the distance between the forces is comparable to the panel thickness, are revealed. Compression of the panel by two systems of forces applied symmetrically or nonsymmetrically to the upper and lower faces is considered. The bending characteristics in the cases of loading with point forces and piecewise distributed loads are compared. The formulas obtained are used to determine the length of a small region on the panel surface for which the local effects from the distributed pressure and the point force are equivalent. The corresponding estimates are obtained in a closed form. The analysis, carried out with varied parameters of the structure, allows us to elucidate the peculiarities of the effect of discontinuous loads on the design characteristics in the local zones, using finite expressions derived by the operational method.     

Deformation of sandwich panels cylindrically bent by point forces. 2. Development of procedure

Our proposed method [1] is extended for the cylindrical bending of an asymmetrical composite panel upon piecewise constant loading and point forces, with and without allowance for transversal stiffness (perfect compliance) in shear or tension/compression along the normal. A set of fundamental functions was obtained for all the cases examined. The properties of functions were studied taking account of the discontinuous nature of the surface loading. The set of functions was normalized for initial values of the variable coordinate. Integral relationships required for analysis were derived and an identical expression of the unit function was represented in terms of the fundamental function set. The boundary problem of a panel supported along the surface of its lower face layer with free ends is reduced to the Cauchy problem. The solution is greatly simplified for a panel symmetrical relative to its mean plane. Asymptotic formulas were obtained for the case of infinite panel length. Relationships are give for the stresses and layer deflections, which permit consideration of all the features of the stress state in addition to simplified calculations for actual panel design.Communication 1, see [1].Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Latvian Academy of Sciences, Riga LV-1006, Latvia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 34–65, January–February, 1997.     

A refined model for three-point bending of sandwich panels 2. Transverse stresses

According to the relationships derived in [1], transverse normal and tangential stresses in a sandwich panel have been analyzed. Asymptotic formulas for the stress concentration area in the vicinity of point forces are derived. Analytical estimates of a normal stress at the central and end sections of the panel are deduced. The Saint-Venant effect of the degeneration of a panel of finite length into an infinite strip is studied. For the estimation of the concentration of the transverse tangential stress, the possibility of a superposition of the solution of the slippage problem of the face layers and the classical solution allowing for shear is substantiated. It is shown that the local Reissner-type effects are specified by reducing the concentration of the tangential stress in the face layers along the longitudinal coordinate and transition to the steady tangential stress state in the filler layer. The concentration coefficients of the tangential stress are derived as functions of the dimensional parameters of the panel section.Institute of Polymer Mechanics. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 66–93, January–February, 1998.     

Limiting stresses in spatially reinforced composites with components-having different structural geometries nd elastic properties

A model which is proposed for calculating structural stresses in spatially reinforced composites and an invariant-polynomial criterion for evaluating their limiting values are used to predict the effect of the elastic and strength properties of the components and their relative content on the limiting stress-strain state of composites of different structures. Emphasis is given to tri-orthogonal and 4D cubic structures, in addition to structures with hexagonal and angle-ply fiber reinforcement schemes in the plane and perpendicular to it. The types of composite loading typical of standard tests are examined in separate numerical experiments for shear, tension, compression, and their proportional combination. A computational variant of a criterional estimate of the limiting stresses is substantiated for an anisotropic composite of variable strength. The limiting-stress surface is obtained along with contour maps showing stress isolines as a function of the properties of the components and the geometry of the structure. The maps are suitable for practical use. The cases of maximum resistance to shear, tension, compression, and combination loading of 3D and 4D composites are compared to the analogous cases for two-dimensional structures.Presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, October, 1995).Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, No. 5, pp. 616–639, September–October, 1995.     

Bending features of a sandwich panel with asymmetric structure under local loads

The bending characteristics of a composite panel with asymmetric layered structure under local surface loads are obtained. A refined version of the applied theory is developed using the analytical solution of the bending problem of a sandwich plate with arbitrary asymmetric structure under a point load. Local effects are investigated within the limits of a discrete model allowing for the specific character of elastic properties of a soft filler. The advantages of the solution are expressions of bending characteristics — layer curvatures, displacements, and stresses — in a closed form. It is shown that these characteristics can vary several times depending on the asymmetry parameters of the structure. Degeneration peculiarities of the solution, stemming from the slipping of layers or, otherwise, their rigid linking by the Kirchoff—Love hypothesis, as well as from account of the transverse shear and compression of the normal, are examined in line with the degeneration of geometric and physical parameters of the discrete model adopted. The results obtained are illustrated by curves and surfaces for the characteristics studied.Submitted for the 11th International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, June 11–15, 2000).Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Latvian University, Riga, LV-1006 Latvia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 6, pp. 717–742, November–December, 1999.     

Eigenfrequencies of radial vibrations of a spherical sandwich shell

Free across-the-thickness vibrations of a closed spherical shell consisting of three rigidly connected layers with arbitrary physical constants and thicknesses are studied. A closed-form solution in displacements to a one-dimensional (along the radius) vibration problem for a homogeneous spherical shell is derived and then used in posing a boundary-value problem on free vibrations of a heterogeneous sphere. Based on the degeneration of the sixth-order determinant of a system of homogeneous equations satisfying the corresponding boundary conditions, a transcendental equation for eigenfrequencies is found. Transformation variants for the equation of eigenfrequencies in the cases of degeneration of physical and geometric parameters of the compound shell are considered. The main attention in investigating the lowest frequency is given to its dependence on the structure of shell wall, whose parameters greatly affect the calculated values of the high-frequency vibration spectrum of the shell. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 44, No. 6, pp. 839–852, November–December, 2008.