Damage Tolerance Design

COURSE CONTENT 

Definitions, basic considerations, non-uniform loading conditions, characteristic dimensions, degradation of strength and stiffness, general description of the design methodology of damage tolerance. Composite Materials Introduction to fiber reinforced composites, damage tolerance and degradation of properties, damage modes and types of failure. The concept of structural strength parameters that determine the strength of materials in general and in the case of composites, strength under multi-directional loading, failure under damage accumulation.
The degradation of strength in materials and structures, the physics of the problem, the concept of progressive damage, modes of failure, residual strength under long-term loading, the integral of the evolution of the strength in time. Micro-mechanical models for strength and stiffness of composites, strength of composites reinforced with continuous fibers in one direction, compressive strength, strength normal to the fiber direction and shear strength. Stiffness Degradation of composites due to matrix cracking.
Variation of stiffness versus time, variation of stiffness versus temperature. Degradation of strength due to damage accumulation, parameters that affect the strength, strength degradation models, examples. Non-uniform loading states, edge effects in the case of composite laminates, stresses due to discontinuities in the absence of damage, structural strength with discontinuities in the absence of damage, strength in the presence of damage. Basics of Fracture Mechanics and Energy Methods.
Examples and application of Damage Tolerance Design approach to polymer matrix composites in various loading cases (Fatigue loading, Low velocity impact, hydrothermal exposure).

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Understanding the basic concepts of damage tolerance design in the field of composite materials.
More specifically:
non-uniform loading conditions, characteristic dimensions, degradation of strength and stiffness, general description of the design methodology of damage tolerance.
The concept of strength in structures, elements that determine the strength of materials in general the strength of composite in particular, strength under multi-directional loading, failure under damage accumulation.
The degradation of strength in materials and structures, the physics of the problem, the concept of progressive damage, modes of failure, residual strength under long-term loading, the integral of the evolution of the strength in time.
Degradation of stiffness of Composites due to the matrix cracking. Variation of stiffness versus time, variation of stiffness versus temperature. Degradation of strength due to damage accumulation, parameters that affect the strength, strength degradation models.
Examples and application of Damage Tolerance Design approach to polymer matrix composites in various loading cases (Fatigue loading, Low velocity impact, hydrothermal exposure).