Abstract
Based on the experimental studies carried out at the University of Valenciennes in close collaboration with ONERA, a study of GFRP profile crashworthiness has been carried out in order to find out a method permitting to scale down this type of structures. The relations obtained from Cauchy's similarity law have been found not to be directly applicable because of distortions due to the type of material used or the type of loading applied. An empirical model has been developed using data originating from experimental static tests in order to bring to the fore these distortions. Changing scale relations have been determined from this model then applied on the experimental data curves. The results obtained display a significant improvement as compared to the ones obtained with Cauchy's similarity law. Taking into account the distortions can permit an optimisation of the experimental conditions as well as the stratified materials stacking sequence. The aim is to limit their influence on the results obtained from scaled-down structures.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hull, D., ‘A Unified Approach to Progressive Crushing of Fibre-Reinforced Composite Tubes’, Composites Science and Technology 40, 1991.
Dormegnie, D., ‘Contribution à l’étude de lois de similitude applicables au crash de structures composites stratifiées du type absorbeur d'énergie', Thèse de doctorat, 2001, Université de Valenciennes et du Hainaut-Cambrésis.
Dormegnie, D., Coutellier, D., Delsart, D. and Deletombe, E., ‘Etude au crash d'un composite stratifié : Apport de la similitude’, Actes du Cinquième Colloque National en Calcul des Structures, Giens, 15–18 Mai, pp. 733–740, volume 2, 2001.
McCarthy, M. A. and Wiggenraad, J. F. M., ‘Numerical Investigation of a Crash Test of Composite Helicopter Subfloor Structure’, Composite Structure 51, 2001.
Rozycki, P., ‘Contribution au développement de lois de comportement pour matériaux composites soumis à l'impact’, Thèse de Doctorat, Université de Valenciennes et du Hainaut Cambrésis, 2000.
Pardo, S., ‘Tenue d'assemblages de composites sous sollicitations dynamiques’, Thèse de doctorat, 2001, Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers PARIS.
Dacheux, F., ‘Développement d'une technique de similitude indirecte sur modèles réduits ; Application à l’étude du comportement en collision des véhicules de transport guidés', Thèse de Doctorat, Université de Valenciennes et du Hainaut Cambrésis, 1993.
Jackson, K. E., ‘Workshop and Scaling Effects on Composite Materials and Structures’, Rapport NASA, Langley Research Center Hampton Virginia, NASA conference publication 3271, 1994.
Simitses, G. J., ‘Structural Similitude for Flat Laminated Surfaces’, Composite Structures 51, 2001.
Farley, G. L., ‘Relationship Between Mechanical-Property and Energy-Absorption Trends for Composite Tubes’, Rapport Technique NASA, 1992.
Mamalis, A. G., Manolakos, D. E., Demosthenous, G. A. and Ioannidis, N. B., ‘Crashworthiness of Composite Thin-Walled Structural Components’, Ed Technomic Publication, 1998.
Carruthers, J. J., ‘Some Aspects of the Energy Absorption of Composite Materials’, doctoral thesis, University of Sheffield, 1997.
Buckingham, E., ‘On Physically Similar Systems; Illustration of the Use of Dimensional Equations’, Phys. Review 4, 1914.
Jackson, K. E. and Fasanella, E. L., ‘Impact Testing and Simulation of a Crashworthy Composite Fuselage’, American Helicopter Society 56th Annual Forum, 2000.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Grenêche, R., Ravalard, Y. & Coutellier, D. A Method for Crash Tests on Laminated Composite Scaled-Down Models. Appl Compos Mater 12, 355–368 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-005-4538-0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-005-4538-0