Design and Testing
How ready are progressive damage analysis tools?
In the past 15 years, progressive damage analysis (PDA) for composites, implemented in finite element analysis software, has been under development.
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Best practices for V-notched shear testing of composites
In my October 2015 column, I wrote an overview of the widely used V-notched shear test methods for composite materials. In this column, we focus on some additional best practices when performing V-notched shear testing of fiber-reinforced composites.
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X-rays for NDT of composites
Nondestructive test (NDT) methods can be employed during the design, manufacture and in-field maintenance of composite components.
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Damage tolerance testing of composites
Not standardized until 2005, ASTM D 7137 is still commonly referred to as the Boeing CAI test.
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CompoSIDE and Trace: Game-changer for development of composite parts
Structural design challenges (delamination, coupling and shape distortions, resin-driven failures, local stress concentration and the like) are inherent in laminate architecture. The author's contention is that a solution can be found in design simplification afforded by the work of Dr. Stephen Tsai in Trace-based analysis.
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Fracture mechanics testing of composites
Dr. Daniel O. Adams, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Composite Mechanics Laboratory at the University of Utah, and vice president of Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc. (Salt Lake City, UT, US), addresses ways to acquire mechanical test data and then calculate the values for the composite material property of fracture toughness.
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The Picture Frame Shear Test method
Dr. Donald F. Adams (Wyoming Test Fixtures, Salt Lake City, Utah) reviews the history of the Picture Frame Shear Test method.
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The evolution of the modified D 695 compression test method
HPC's Testing Tech columnist Dr. Donald F. Adams,the president of Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc. (Salt Lake City, Utah), looks at the long metals-to-plastics-to-composites history of this well-used and much modified compression test method.
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Compact tension fracture toughness testing
Dr. Donald A. Adams, president of Wyoming Test Fixtures Inc. (Salt Lake City, Utah) discusses compact tension fracture toughness testing.
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Reversed loading flexural fatigue
Dr. Donald F. Adams, owner and president of Wyoming Test Fixtures (Salt Lake City, Utah) discusses reverse loading flexural fatigue testing and fixture design.
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