Design of composite stiffener run-outs for damage tolerance

作者：Psarras S^*; Pinho S T; Falzon B G

来源：Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 2011, 47(8): 949-954.

DOI：10.1016/j.finel.2011.03.011

A major concern in stiffener run-out regions, where the stiffener is terminated due to a cut-out, intersecting rib, or some other structural feature which interrupts the load path, is the relatively weak skin-stiffener interface in the absence of mechanical fasteners. More damage tolerant stiffener run-outs are clearly required and these are investigated in this paper. Using a parametric finite element analysis, the run-out region was optimised for stable debonding crack growth. The modified run-out, as well as a baseline configuration, were manufactured and tested. Damage initiation and propagation was investigated in detail using state-of-the-art monitoring equipment including Acoustic Emission and Digital Image Correlation. As expected, the baseline configuration failed catastrophically. The modified run-out showed improved crack-growth stability, but subsequentd elamination failure in the stiffener promptly led to catastrophic failure.

• 出版日期2011-8