EXTENDED ABSTRACT

53rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC STRUCTURES, STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, AND MATERIALS CONFERENCE

Dynamic Stability of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composite Elliptical Cylinders with Continuously Varying Fiber Orientations

Paul Zheng
Master of Science in Civil Engineering Candidate Charles E. Via Jr. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA e-mail: pzheng@vt.edu Student Member, AIAA

Cristopher D. Moen
Charles E. Via Jr. Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA e-mail: cmoen@vt.edu Member, AIAA

I.

Background The aerospace industry uses circular cylinders for the fuselages of traditional aircraft.

However, there are scenarios where a non-circular cross-section is required of the geometry. For instance, the new blended wing-body aircraft employs an elliptical cross-section for aerodynamic purposes [1]. The main disadvantage with the non-circular cross-section is the reduction in buckling strength. The radius of curvature of an ellipse varies along the circumference causing reduction in axial stiffness in the crown and keel where radius of curvature is a maximum. The crown and keel are more plate-like (i.e., flatter, larger radius of curvature); a plate with the same width as the circumference of a circular cylinder will buckle before the cylinder. Cylindrical shells in aircrafts are not only subjected to forces capable of buckling the cylinder, but also dynamic loads that may initiate progressive collapse due to loss of stability [2]. The goal of this research is to investigate the use of continuously varying fibers to increase the buckling strength of an elliptical cylinder, and specifically to study the performance during dynamic loading. This research is a continuation of Dr. Michael W. Hyers work [1], emeritus professor in the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department at Virginia Tech. A main concern in this research is whether continuously varying fiber placement is plausible. Through the communication with manufacturers and researchers, it was discovered that varying fiber orientation is possible. In fact, fiber placement machines have become more common for complex aerospace structures over the past two decades [3].

II.

Elastic Buckling Prediction Methods for Isotropic Cases The buckling strength of a circular cylinder is greater than the capacity of an elliptical

cylinder. An elliptical cylinder has approximately 30-40% less capacity than that of a circular cylinder with the same circumference, with all other properties held constant [1]. Circular cylinders have been studied in depth using a buckling equation for isotropic cases. An approximate buckling solution for elliptical cylinders can be determined using the circular cylindrical buckling equation by replacing the radius of the circle, R, with the maximum radius of curvature for the ellipse, Rmax [4]. The ratio a2/b is equal to Rmax; a is the major radius and b is the minor radius. The elastic buckling equations for a circular and an elliptical cylindrical shell are:

1 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Et crc = cre = R 3 1 - 2 Et Rmax 3 1 - 2 2 1

where E, t, and are Youngs elastic modulus, the thickness of the cylinder, and Poissons Ratio, respectively. The approximation is possible because the crown and keel of the ellipse buckle before any other portion of the non-circular cross-section. Figure 1 represents the lowest buckling mode shape of a circular cylindrical shell while Figure 2 depicts the top and bottom of an elliptical cylinder buckling.

Figure 1: First Buckling Mode of Circular Cylindrical Shell

Figure 2: First Buckling Mode of Elliptical Cylindrical Shell Both figures above represent the buckling modes of an isotropic case and a quasi-isotropic case. As seen in the Figure 1, the entire circular cylinder engages in the buckling phenomenon. In contrast, only the top and bottom of the elliptical cylinder buckle in Figure 2.

2 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

III. Elastic Buckling Prediction Methods for Composite Cases The main focus of this research is fiber-reinforced composite laminates. Quasi-isotropic cylinders will serve as the baseline case for comparison. Quasi-isotropic means a composite lamination sequence of [45, 0, 90]s. Quasi-isotropic composites are commonly used because they offer similar behavior to isotropic materials, but with the benefits of a composite (i.e., high strength to weight ratio). The research goal is to determine if a different lamination sequence, [, 0, 90]s, can be used to increase the buckling capacity of the elliptical shell by varying continuously around the circumference of the cylinder. The buckling capacity of the composite elliptical cylinders will be predicted using [1]: Ncr cr = where T11 = A11 m L
2

m L Ncr t

2T12 T13 T23 -T11 T2 -T22 T2 23 13 T11 T22 -T2 12

(6) (7)

n +A66 m L Rmax n Rmax

(8) (9) (10)

T12 = A12 +A66 T13 = A12 m Rmax L m L

2

T22 = A66 T23 = T33 = D11 m L

4

+A22

n R

(11) (12)

A22 n Rmax Rmax m L

2

n Rmax

n +D22 Rmax

+ 2D12 +4D66

A22 R2 max

(13)

In the above equations, A and D are the composite stiffness matrices, m is the number of buckling half sine waves along the cylinder, n is the number of buckling full sine waves around the circumference, L is the length of the cylinder, and t is the thickness of the cylinder. This equation is a simplified version of the equation presented in reference [5] because the composite stiffness matrix, B, is zero in the lamination sequences examined. Also, the above equation is based on the equation used to solve circular cylinders. Note equations (6-13) use the same method of approximation for an ellipse as equation (2). 3 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

IV. Fiber Orientation The orientation of the fibers will be determined based on having the same strain throughout the entire cylinder. The buckling load of an equivalent circular composite cylinder will be normalized by the buckling strength of a quasi-isotropic elliptical composite cylindrical shell. Figure 3 represents a varying fiber orientation for an elliptical cylinder that potentially increases the buckling capacity from the quasi-isotropic case. As seen in the figure, the fiber angle is 45 degrees at the crown, Rmax, and changes until it reaches a fiber angle of 16 degrees at the side, Rmin; the fiber angle is taken from the vertical plane.

(a) crown

(b) side

Figure 3: Continuously Varying Fiber Orientation for an Elliptical Cylinder

V.

Dynamic Loading Once a fiber layout has been determined to increase the buckling capacity of an elliptical

cylinder, the lamination sequence will be studied under dynamic loading. Specifically, the cylinder will be subjected to impulsive loads (i.e. large magnitude over a short time period). Through the dynamic analysis, the collapse of the cylinder will be examined. The finite element analysis program, ABAQUS/Standard will be used for the quasi-static analysis, while the dynamic analysis will be handled through ABAQUS/Explicit.

4 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

VI. Conclusions Through variation in the fiber orientation of an elliptical cylindrical shell, the buckling capacity is predicted to increase. Using the same lamination sequence, dynamic loading studies will be conducted. With the results from this research project, a better understanding of the dynamic buckling behavior of elliptical cylinders with continuously varying fiber orientations is expected.

References 1. Sun, M. and Hyer, M. W., Use of Material Tailoring to Improve Buckling Capacity of Elliptical Composite Cylinders, AIAA Journal, Vol. 46, 2008, pp.770-82. 2. Bisagni, C., Dynamic Buckling of Fiber Composite Shells under Impulsive Axial Compression, Thin-Walled Structures Journal, Vol. 43, 2005, pp. 499 514. 3. Wu, K. C., Tatting, B. F., Smith, B. H., Stevens, R.S., Occhipinti, G. P., Swift, J. B., Achary, D. C., and Thornburgh, R. P., Design and Manufacturing of Tow-Steered Composite Shells using Fiber Placement, 2009. 4. Ruiz-Teran, A. M. and Gardner, L., Elastic Buckling of Elliptical Tubes, Thin-Walled Structures Journal, Vol. 46, 2008, pp. 1304 18. 5. Jones, R. M. and Morgan, H. S., Buckling and Vibration of Cross-Ply Laminated Circular Cylindrical Shells, AIAA Journal, Vol. 13, 1975, pp. 664 71.

5 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics