Design and Testing

Weaving 28 Jul 2017

Choosing composite material testing methods

An initial step in selecting suitable test methods involves consulting the available test literature.

Materials Testing 27 Jun 2017

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.

Design and Testing 31 Mar 2017

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.

Automotive 31 Jan 2017

X-rays for NDT of composites

Nondestructive test (NDT) methods can be employed during the design, manufacture and in-field maintenance of composite components.

Design and Testing 30 Dec 2016

Damage tolerance testing of composites

Not standardized until 2005, ASTM D 7137 is still commonly referred to as the Boeing CAI test.

Design and Testing 28 Jan 2016

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.

Materials Testing 1 Jan 2016

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.