Design and Analysis of Complex Composite Structure Subjected to Combined Loading Conditions

• Author / Creator

  Hossain, Rifat A

• Axisymmetric fiber-reinforced polymer composite structures such as pressure vessels and piping manufactured by braiding and filament winding are being widely used in different industrial applications where combined loading conditions may be applied. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of fiber angles along the longitudinal direction of the structure to achieve the best mechanical performance when subjected to combined loadings. A further aim was to develop a suitable failure criterion for structural design. To this end, generalized complex shape mandrel geometries based on variable cross-sections were developed to define mandrel surface equations. Fiber angle variation along the length of an axially symmetric composite structure with variable cross-section was determined considering different ratios of axial loading and internal pressure and by implementing netting analysis design theory. This work was extended to a thorough investigation of failure analysis to provide the critical value of fiber orientation needed to design and analyze complex composite structures subjected to specific loading conditions by incorporating a Tsai-Wu failure criterion.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Combined loading
  • Complex composite structure
  • Failure analysis

• Graduation date

  Fall 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R36P44

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.