NUMERICAL ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE TOLERANCE ALLOWABLES FOR NEW DESIGN CONCEPTS OF STIFFENED COMPOSITE PANELS

Kurzfassung

Within an automated framework, a structural design process is built that increases the number of design concepts applicable during the optimization of composite wings. Because Damage Tolerance allowables are determined by expensive tests for each structural concept, only one concept is usually available for the optimization. To overcome this problem, a procedure based on detailed Finite Element models has been developed, where the design concepts are modelled as super-stringers. Strain fields are evaluated to assess the capability of structural concepts the bear higher strains at a steady load level. The process is demonstrated on an I-stiffened panel with a wide range of material combinations.