Certification Methods for Composite Airframe Structures
Objective
Alleviate test burden by replacing some element and sub-component level tests with validated analysis tools
Why It Matters
- Significant potential for reducing cost and time to certification of composite structure
- Improved understanding of damage processes may help affect change in design philosophy and improve safety and efficiency of structure
Recent Accomplishments
- Developed tests for analysis validation in collaboration with US industry
- Developed standardized (coupon) tests for characterizing fracture in collaboration with ASTM
- Developed methodology for benchmarking fracture analysis tools Used by NASA’s Composite Cryotank team for predicting safety margins prior to full-scale testing
Clients
- NASA Langley Research Center
- FAA Tech Center
Participants/
Collaborators
- National Institute of Aerospace
- Boeing Commercial, Boeing Defense
- University of Utah, NIAR at Wichita State
- Professional societies: CMH-17, ASTM 030
