• Advances in materials Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.337-359
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• 2019

Shape Memory Polymer Composites (SMPC) have gained popularity over the last few decades due to its flexible shape memory behaviour over wide range of strains and temperatures. In this paper, non-linear bending analysis has been carried out for SMPC beam under the application of uniformly distributed transverse load (UDL). Simplified C⁰ continuity Finite Element Method (FEM) based on Higher Order Shear Deformation Theory (HSDT) has been adopted for flexural analysis of SMPC. The numerical solutions are obtained by iterative Newton Raphson method. Material properties of SMPC with Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) as matrix and carbon fibre as reinforcements, have been calculated by theory of volume averaging. Effect of temperature on SMPC has been evaluated for numerous parameters for instance number of layers, aspect ratio, boundary conditions, volume fraction of carbon fiber and laminate stacking orientation. Moreover, deflection profile over unit length and behavior of stresses across thickness are also presented to elaborate the effect of glass transition temperature (T_g). Present study provides detailed explanation on effect of different parameters on the bending of SMPC beam for large strain over a broad span of temperature from 273-373K, which encompasses glass transition region of SMPC.

• Composites Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.38-46
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• 2004

This paper aims to correlate the micro-mechanical behaviour of tow geometry with applied in-plane forces during deformation of dry woven carbon-fibre fabric. These in-plane forces lead to differences in tow reorganisation during deformation and so changes in the way in which 'lock-up' occurs. In this paper, deformation of micro-mechanical parameters such as tow interval, crimp angle, change in tow amplitude and wavelength are investigated. To observe the micro-deformation of the fabric structure, appropriate specimens from bias extension and biaxial tests are sectioned and observed under the microscope. It was found that different loading conditions cause geometric deferences in the tow architecture. The variation in deformed tow geometry with shear angle is fitted using a simple parametric model.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.319-334
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• 2018

In this study, the failure mode and energy absorption capabilities of a composite shock absorber device, during an emergency landing are evaluated. The prototype has been installed and tested in laboratory simulating an emergency landing test condition. The crash absorber presents an innovative configuration able to reduce the loads transmitted to a helicopter fuselage during an emergency landing. It consists of a composite tailored tube installed on the landing gear strut. During an emergency landing this crash absorber system should be able to absorb energy through a pre-designed deformation. This solution, compared to an oleo-pneumatic shock absorber, avoids sealing checks, very high values of the shock absorber pressure, and results to be lighter, easy in maintenance, inspect and use. The activities reported in this paper have become an attractive research field both from the scientific viewpoint and the prospect of industrial applications, because they offer benefits in terms of energy absorbing, weight savings, increasing the safety levels, and finally reducing the costs in a global sense.

• Composites Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.241-246
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• 2017

The brittle nature in most FRP composites is accompanying other forms of energy absorption mechanisms such as fibre-matrix interface debonding and ply delamination. It could play an important role on the energy absorption capability of composite structures. To solve the brittle nature, the adhesion between pines and composites was studied. Thermal treated pines were attached on carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) by epoxy adhesives. To find the optimum condition of thermal treatment for pine, two different thermal treatments at 160 and $200^{\circ}C$ were compared to the neat case. To evaluate mechanical and interfacial properties of pines and pine/CFRP composites, tensile, lap shear and Izod test were carried out. The bonding force of pine grains was measured by tensile test at transverse direction and the elastic wave from fracture of pines was analyzed. The mechanical, interfacial properties and bonding force at $160^{\circ}C$ treated pine were highest due to the reinforced effect of pine. However, excessive thermal treatment resulted in the degradation of hemicellulose and leads to the deterioration in mechanical and interfacial properties.

• Composites Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.171-176
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• 2019

In this paper, the strength of the composite securement device was characterised by FE analysis. Preliminary frontal crash analysis for the vehicle, equipped with the conventional steel securement device, was carried out according to the ISO 10542 for special transportation to obtain loading data, which were applied to securement device during crash. The securement device consists of block, guide and rail and the weight fraction of rail was the highest among them, therefore, it is desirable to reduce weight of rail by applying carbon/epoxy composite. Also, it was found that 27% of lightweight effect was obtained by hybrid rail that bottom part was replaced by a composite compared to the conventional rail, i.e., made of SAPH 440, without sacrificing the structural strength.