Because of the complexity of geometry, loads and material systems of turbine blades, the stress and strength characteristics can not be accurately predicted by existing methods. the composite turbine blade strength capabilities are very much dependent upon the constituent material properties, ply… More

Although the use of ceramic composites in aerospace systems is monotonically increasing, there are not many analytical and experimental studies revealing the unique characteristics these materials can provide. it is believed that these materials have great promise for high temperature structural… More

Nonlinear optical materials are required for a variety of potential air force applications including optical signal processing (switches, modulators, and guided wave devices), and new laser sources (optical parametric oscillators and harmonic generators). however, presently available materials are… More

This proposal addresses the immediate need for models for accurate description of metal matrix composite (MMC) response to multiaxial loadings such as those existing in most turbine engine components. The model is needed for both design and life prediction of engine components. The proposed effort… More

An important aspect in the design of aircraft structure and aeropropulsion components made of high temperature composite materials is damage tolerance and life prediction. Many components contain joints between composites and metals. There is a need to develop methods for predicting life of such… More

Although technologies derived under the Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology (IHPTET) initiative should result in higher performance of gas turbine engines, the durability of engine components continues to be one of the most important design issues which impacts their affordability… More

Although technologies derived under the Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology (IHPTET) initiative should result in higher performance of gas turbine engines, the durability of engine components continues to be one of the most important design issues which impacts their affordability… More

Space structures and high-speed interceptor technology can be significantly enhanced if lighter weight composite structural materials that possess inherently high-strength damage-resistant properties can be developed on a cost-effective basis. A novel laminated sandwich composite concept is proposed… More

This Phase I effort is to synthesize and develop material processing systems that possess the mechanical properties, and processing characteristic for use in flexible electronic and photonic devices. We will demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating in this effort to optimize the modulator/switch… More

The stress analysis and fatigue life prediction of the bonded repaired damaged zone of the aircraft structure is a challenging problem for designers. The lack of accurate life prediction methodologies limit the utilization of composite materials to repair the damaged structure. It is proposed to… More

A program is proposed that will extend (and build upon) the work already started by the Survivability Group of the Composites Affordability Initiative, Pervasive Team in developing methods for analyzing the effects of ballistic and hydrodynamic ram (HRAM)loading and damage in bonded/co-cured… More

"The aim of our Phase II activity is to incorporate the Cohesive Volumetric Plate and Shell (Finite) Elements into LS-DYNA3D, thus enhancing its capabilities in modeling HRAM loading and damage in composite structures. In Phase I, we reported oninterlaminar failure criteria and modes, based on… More

The objective of this project is to develop a multi-purpose combination type optical fiber sensor that enables simultaneous sensing of microstructural evolutions in the sensor materials and the environmental conditions such as pressure and temperature. It is very well known that materials subjected… More