Multi-continuum analysis of thermally induced matrix cracking

✍ Scribed by Seth Nickerson; J. Steven Mayes; Jeffry S. Welsh

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 471 KB
• Volume: 72
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0013-7944
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2004.11.011

✦ Synopsis

Matrix micro-cracking due to thermal loading is a major concern in composite cryogenic tanks because it presents permeation paths for the stored fluids and gases. Accurate prediction of composite damage due to micro-crack initiation is thus an important aspect of tank analysis and design. In the research presented, failure criteria are applied at both the composite (macro-) and constituent (micro-) scale in an effort to assess the most effective analysis techniques for predicting composite damage. Constituent scale information is developed using multi-continuum theory, a classic strain decomposition approach. Numerical predictions are correlated against experimental results.