Development of a Simulation Methodology to Predict the Energy Absorption of Composite Structures under Crush Loading

Kurzfassung

In the present work, a robust simulation methodology is developed that reliably predicts the progressive damage and energy absorption of composite structures. A building block approach is used to investigate damage propagation under crush loading. The thesis provides important modelling guidelines for the successful and computationally efficient simulation of composites under axial crush loading and contributes to reducing the scope of experimental investigations. For the first time, it was shown that the effects of discretisation options depend on the application case and the prevailing failure mode. In particular, the approach of crack band scaling of fracture energy, is not applicable for the simulation of progressive crushing. Within the framework of international research cooperation, it could be shown that this simulation methodology is suitable for comparing different material models in different FE codes. Main effects can already be identified at the lowest level of the building block. Such a simulation methodology is extremely helpful in promoting the approach of certification of civil aircraft through numerical analysis.