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Basic Research for Composite Mechanics

This research program deals with research on deformation, damage initiation, damage growth, and failure in composite materials and composite sandwich structures subjected to static, cyclic, and dynamic, multiaxial loading conditions in severe environments (characterized by moisture, sea water, temperature extremes, and hydrostatic pressure). The goal is to establish physically based quantitative theories and predictive models to provide a basis for assessing structural integrity and structural reliability, and for efficient design of reliable, affordable naval structures. Areas of emphasis include the following:

constitutive behavior
failure modes
failure criteria
environmental effects
dynamic response
structural effects

Research is conducted at different spatial scales, from microstructure and morphology of reinforcing fibers and their interfacial regions to macroscopic buckling of thick-walled, multilayered cylindrical shells. Research also involves different temporal scales, from real-time delineation of failure processes under dynamic loading to long-term creep behavior and life prediction of composite structures designed to last several decades. The major focus is on affordable composites and composite sandwich structures for applications in naval structures (e.g. glass/vinylester, carbon/vinylester, RTM/SCRIMP). Ongoing research efforts will address:

3D constitutive relationships for glass and carbon/vinylester composites, as well as fatigue and impact behavior of these composites;
3D constitutive relationships for balsa and PVC foam sandwich composites;
3D failure criteria for carbon- and glass-based composites;
effects of sea water on composite materials and composite sandwich structures;
shock/blast response; and
mechanics and optimization of asymmetric sandwich plates.

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