Analysis of composite material containing defects

This paper describes work performed to develop capabilities for quantitative analysis and evaluation of parts containing defects. In this project, a finite element structural analysis code was used to predict the response of carbon-carbon involute rings that were intentionally fabricated with wrinkles and overstaged plies. Analytical techniques for modeling the effects of the defects were evaluated. The finite element analysis predictions compared favorably with data from hoop tension tests of the rings. A computer code was developed to use digital NDE data automatically to define spatially varying material properties required by finite element analysis. The code provides a practical mechanism for automatically including the effects of defects in the analysis of actual hardware.