Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
1999
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair
Ever Barbero.
Abstract
A rational methodology is presented to predict the compressive strength of carbon/epoxy compression specimens and prototype production parts using the model presented by Barbero in the Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 32, No.5/1998. The experimental technique is an adaptation of the optical method first proposed by Yurgartis (1987) and can be directly applied to actual development, quality control or failure investigation programs. There is very good agreement between actual and predicted compressive strength at -125F and room temperature. At 180F, the predicted strength is conservative. Aurora Flight Sciences provided the prototype production parts and partial funding under the "Material Characterization Study for UAV Wing Development" contract. The results of the material characterization study of two carbon/epoxy prepregs presented to Aurora Flight Sciences are also shown here. An extension of the method presented by Barbero is also proposed for laminates with average global misalignment alphaG, in [+alphaG]n or [-alpha G]n stacking sequence.
Recommended Citation
Wen, Edward Albert, "Compressive strength prediction for composite unmanned aerial vehicles" (1999). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 982.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/982