Abstract

Aerospace research for next-generation travel increasingly focuses on the use of advanced composites to reduce weight and cost while retaining strength. One subset of materials with great potential is based on the combination of resin matrix and glass-fiber reinforcement. This research explores the application of a candidate nanopaper coating with a given composite. Prior research applied a set of given heat fluxes to the top surface of the composite for a set of given periods of time, and subsequently performed a 3-point flexural test to determine the elastic modulus for both the coated and uncoated composite for all of the combinations of heat flux and time. A finite element (FE) model is developed using the ANSYS general purpose finite element analysis (FEA) software that models the degradation in strength/stiffness properties based on heating condition and with the goal of predicting cracking using the element death feature in ANSYS. This thesis describes the prior research suggesting both the need for and novelty of this model, and the procedures used to form the model. The loading conditions of the 3-point flexural test are replicated, and four measures of accuracy are developed based on the force versus displacement curve of the test and the FE model. It is envisioned that continuum-level models developed as a part of these research be applied for design of next-generation space components These measurements are used to verify the FE model, and this model is then employed to extrapolate beyond the context of experimental conditions.

Notes

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Thesis Completion

2013

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Gordon, Ali P.

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)

College

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Department

Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Engineering and Computer Science;Engineering and Computer Science -- Dissertations, Academic

Format

PDF

Identifier

CFH0004346

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Document Type

Honors in the Major Thesis

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