The work in this dissertation deals with the global structural response and local damage effects of a simply supported natural fibre composite sandwich beam subjected to a four-point bend. For the global structural response, we are investigating the flexural behaviour of the composite sandwich beam. We begin by using the principle of virtual work to derive the linear and nonlinear Timoshenko beam theory. Based on these theories, we then proceed to develop the respective finite element models and then implement the numerical algorithm in MATLAB. Comparing the numerical results with experimental results from the CSIR, the numerical model correctly and qualitatively recovers the underlying mechanics with some noted deviances which are explained at the end. The local damage effect of interest is delamination and we begin by reviewing delamination theory with more emphasis on the cohesive zone model. The cohesive zone model relates the traction at the interface to the relative displacement of the interface thereby creating a material model of the interface. We then carry out a cohesive zone model delamination case study in MSC.Marc and MSC.Mentat software packages. The delamination modelling is carried out purely as a numerical study as there are no experimental results to validate the numerical results.

During vibrothermographic experimental testing of damaged composite plates, frequency dependent heat generation phenomena were observed. Local hot spots were formed around imperfection areas especially delaminations. Heat generation was also found to relate to the crack size. In order to explain the above observed phenomena, the dynamic behavior of undamaged and damaged composite plates was studied over a broad frequency range. The analysis was carried out using the finite element method based on the concepts of the three dimensional theory of anisotropic elasticity. Delaminations were modeled, and the local crack resonance’ was justified. Two NDE methods namely, Vibrothermography and SPATE were used to verify the numerical predictions. Experiments performed for both undamaged and damaged specimens, and good correlation between theory and testing was achieved. / Master of Science

Findings made through the indentation testing of composites are presented in this thesis. The concept was developed as an attempt to evaluate the interfacial shear strength at a mesolevel, possibly overcoming the deficiencies of present techniques. Vickers Microhardness Testing and Continuous Ball Indentation Testing (CBIT) of composite materials provided data for assessing the sensitivity of indentation techniques to interfacial characteristics and engineering properties. Both methods proved capable of discerning the level of fiber-matrix adhesion. The CBIT presented the greatest potential for making quantitative measures of interfacial shear strength. A unique micromechanics model of the contact situation predicted failure events and trends consistent with the observed data from the CBIT. The present elastic model predicted an interfacial shear strength slightly higher than those reported in the literature. However, the interface strength obtained through the CBIT provides more of an engineering assessment of the interfacial quality when compared to other techniques. Both experimental and analytical results suggest that indentation testing of composites is most sensitive to shearing characteristics of the system. Vickers and ball penetration results displayed some correlation to global laminate properties. Vickers hardness shows a close relationship to IITRI compression strength only when fiber compressive failure is observed in the laminate test. The CBIT provides the best opportunity for exploring fiber composite stress-strain information. / Master of Science

A method was developed for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of the static response of thin-walled stiffened composite structures loaded in uniaxial or biaxial compression. The method is applicable to arbitrary prismatic configurations composed of linked plate strips, such as stiffened panels and thin-walled columns. The longitudinal ends of the structure are assumed to be simply supported, and geometric shape imperfections can be modelled. The method can predict the nonlinear phenomena of postbuckling strength and imperfection sensitivity which are exhibited by some buckling-dominated structures. The method is computer-based and is semi-analytic in nature, making it computationally economical in comparison to finite element methods. The method uses a perturbation approach based on the use of a series of buckling mode shapes to represent displacement contributions associated with nonlinear response. Displacement contributions which are of second order in the modal amplitudes are incorporated in addition to the buckling mode shapes. The principle of virtual work is applied using a finite basis of buckling modes, and terms through the third order in the modal amplitudes are retained. A set of cubic nonlinear algebraic equations are obtained, from which approximate equilibrium solutions are determined. Buckling mode shapes for the general class of structure are obtained using the VIPASA analysis code within the PASCO stiffened-panel design code. Thus, subject to some additional restrictions in loading and plate anisotropy, structures _ which can be modelled with respect to buckling behavior by VIPASA can be analyzed with respect to nonlinear response using the new method. Results obtained using the method are compared with both experimental and analytical results in the literature. The configurations investigated include several different unstiffened and blade-stiffened panel configurations, featuring both homogeneous, isotropic materials and laminated composite material. Results for the local-postbuckling response of stiffened and unstiffened panels agree well with results in the literature for moderate postbuckling load levels. In flat blade-stiffened panels which exhibit significant interaction of the local and Euler buckling modes, the method is successful in predicting the consequent imperfection sensitivity, but the method loses accuracy as imperfection amplitudes are increased. / Ph. D.

Intelligent materials are a class of material systems usually consisting of a composite or hybrid material system with fibrous or distributed actuators, various sensors and a control system. One type of actuator being developed for intelligent material systems is made of nitinol or shape memory alloy wire. In order for nitinol and other actuators to be a reliable part of the system, the effect of composite manufacturing on the actuators’ performance and behavior must be determined. The results of a study investigating the effects of a "high temperature" thermoplastic composite processing cycle on the nitinol actuator’s performance is presented. A study of the interfacial strength between the actuators and APC-2 thermoplastic composite is also reported. The nitinol actuators were exposed to high temperature (400°C) composite processing cycles. Critical parameters of the processing cycles were varied to determine their effect on the actuators’ performance. After the processing cycles, the nitinol actuators demonstrated useable recovery stresses (σ_r^u) of 173-265 MPa. The σ_r^u of a nitinol actuator in the virgin state, subjected to a thermoset processing cycle, and embedded in a specimen of APC-2 thermoplastic composite was also tested to develop a basis for comparison. The quality of the actuator-composite interface bond was tested by pull-out testing and fatigue loading to determine if the actuator is adequately bonded with the host composite. Pull-out forces of 30-50 N could fracture the actuator-composite interface, but 1000 activation cycles of the actuator produced no damage in the bond between actuator and host composite. / Master of Science

Damage initiation and growth under compression-compression fatigue loading were investigated for a stitched uniweave material system with an underlying AS4/3501-6 quasi-isotropic layup. Performance of unnotched specimens having stitch rows at either 0° or 90° to the loading direction was compared. Special attention was given to the effects of stitching-related manufacturing defects. Damage evaluation techniques included edge replication, stiffness monitoring, X-ray radiography, residual compressive strength, and laminate sectioning. It was found that the manufacturing defect of inclined stitches had the greatest adverse effect on material performance. 0° and 90° specimen performances were generally the same. While the stitches were the source of damage initiation, they also slowed damage propagation both along the length and across the width and affected through the thickness damage growth. A pinched layer zone formed by the stitches particularly affected damage initiation and growth. The compression failure mode was transverse shear for all specimens, both in static compression and fatigue cycling tests. Specimens without stitches were not available for comparison. / Master of Science

With the large number and diversity of materials available today, the ability of the manufacturer to control properties is critical for the success of a product in the market. Although we have little or no control over the engineering properties of solid wood, the potential for the design of material properties in composites is great. Large strides are presently being made in the design of non-veneer structural panels by using material science principles. However, a large gap in our knowledge of the composite system is in the understanding of how raw material properties and processing variables interact to influence the internal geometry and material properties of the components in situ. The ability to use production variables to control material properties of the composite is an extremely valuable tool. The goal of this research is to provide an understanding of how the heat and mass transfer inside a flakeboard during pressing, interacts with the viscoelastic behavior of individual flakes to influence density gradient formation and in situ flake properties. The specific objectives: l. To use observed changes in the temperature and gas pressure of the internal environment of panels during the pressing cycle to describe the composition of the gas phase. 2. To use the calculated composition of the gas phase and measured temperature for the internal environment as boundary conditions for a fundamental heat and mass transfer model to access changes in the temperature and moisture content of the wood component during pressing. 3. To use the temperature and moisture content relations above to qualitatively relate press conditions to the formation of density gradients through changes in the glass transition temperature of the amorphous polymers in wood. 4. To utilize micromechanical models of cellular materials in conjunction with linear viscoelasticity of polymers to develop a nonlinear viscoelasticity model for wood in transverse compression. The approach couples the viscoelastic behavior of the amorphous polymers in wood with the structure imposed by anatomy. These theories, if applicable to wood, can greatly simplify the study of many similar systems combining environmental conditions and mechanical properties. / Ph. D.

In this study, a computational model for accurate analysis of composite laminates and laminates with including delaminated interfaces is developed. An accurate prediction of stress distributions, including interlaminar stresses, is obtained by using the Generalized Laminate Plate Theory of Reddy in which layer-wise linear approximation of the displacements through the thickness is used. Analytical, as well as finite-element solutions of the theory, are developed for bending and vibrations of laminated composite plates for the linear theory. Geometrical nonlinearity, including buckling and post-buckling are included and used to perform stress analysis of laminated plates. A general two-dimensional theory of laminated cylindrical shells is also developed in this study. Geometrical nonlinearity and transverse compressibility are included. Delaminations between layers of composite plates are modeled by jump discontinuity conditions at the interfaces. The theory includes multiple delaminations through the thickness. Geometric nonlinearity is included to capture layer buckling. The strain energy release rate distribution along the boundary of delaminations is computed by a novel algorithm. The computational models presented herein are accurate for global behavior and particularly appropriate for the study of local effects. / Ph. D.

Transient moisture conditions can accelerate the viscoelastic behavior of certain materials over that of constant moisture conditions. This is termed the mechano-sorptive phenomenon. The thrust of this research effort is to study the mechano-sorptive effects on the creep behavior of synthetic fibers and composite materials. This study consisted of two main parts: 1). a phenomenological investigation of the transient moisture effects in synthetic fibers and composite materials and 2). mechanistic studies of the observed phenomenon. The materials studied included Kevlar® fibers, Kevlar® fiber reinforced composites, Technora fibers, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) fibers, and Nylon 6,6 fibers. Unidirectional ( 0° ) Kevlar® 49/7714 epoxy coupons undergoing desorption exhibited an increase in tensile and bending creep deformations, a decrease in storage modulus, and an increase in the loss tangent (Tan δ) when compared to coupons maintained at a constant (saturated) moisture content. However, the transient moisture effects were not seen in composite coupons along the matrix direction. Experimental results showed that aramid fibers exhibited logarithmic creep behavior under tensile load. Even though different constant moisture conditions did not have appreciable effects on the creep behavior of aramid fibers, the creep process increased substantially under transient moisture conditions. The logarithmic creep rates and the mechano-sorptive effects increased with temperature. The creep activation energies of Kevlar® fibers are: 4.84 Kcal/mole for the cyclic moisture conditions and 1.04 Kcal/mole for the constant (saturated) moisture condition. Increases in stress may increase the logarithmic creep rates but may reduce the mechano-sorptive effect. In addition, the creep behavior under transient moisture conditions was nonlinearly dependent on stress. The fiber elastic compliance was observed to increase after creep deformation. Moreover, it was found that the fiber elastic compliance has correlation with the logarithmic creep rates. Aramid fibers contain hydrogen bonds between rod-like crystallites oriented at small angles relative to the fiber axis. These hydrogen bonds may be disrupted during a transient moisture process. The breakage of these hydrogen bonds may cause slippage of hydrogen bonded crystallites and result in accelerated crystallite rotations, thus causing increases in logarithmic creep rate. Analysis indicated that the obtained activation energy (4.84 Kcal/mole) and the reduction in fiber elastic compliance due to creep deformation support the proposed mechanisms. / Ph. D.