Moiz Hanif

Date of Graduation

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Nithi T Sivaneri

Abstract

Excellent combination of high structural stiffness and low weight are the qualities of composite material leading to the extensive work on such materials. In order to achieve the desired performance requirements, the designer has to take into consideration the structural requirements and the functional characteristics. Thus, in this study, the effect of hygrothermal conditions on fiber reinforced composite laminates with moving loads have been extensively studied and has been carried out that accompanies Classical Laminate Plate Theory (CLPT) as well as First Order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT) on MATLAB. A glass/epoxy composite system has been chosen for study with which similar results may be expected for other laminated composites. The hygrothermal effect is incorporated by adjusting the stiffness coefficients of the laminate to its level of moisture concentration using empirical relations. The failure analysis is done using the maximum normal stress criterion and the factor of safety for the lamina calculated and compared with respect to the corresponding maximum stresses and strengths. Different fiber volume fraction with varying fiber orientation of the plies in the laminate were modeled and studied. The results presented show the effect of stresses and strains in dry conditions, whereas for hygrothermal analysis, they also indicate that not all the laminates behave in a similar fashion and so it is possible by selecting the proper laminate configuration, the effect of moisture can be reduced. Also deducing, that due to hygrothermal effects, changes in the stiffness coefficients of a laminate do not appear to affect the deflection results significantly.

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