EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R89479/01
Title: SCALING EFFECTS IN NOTCHED COMPOSITES
Principal Investigator: Soutis, Professor C
Other Investigators:
Davies, Professor G
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Airbus Operations Limited BAE Systems DOWTY PROPELLERS
Hexcel Composites Ltd
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Organisation: University of Sheffield
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 July 2003 Ends: 30 September 2006 Value (£): 221,171
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine Construction
Transport Systems and Vehicles
Related Grants:
GR/R89462/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The aim of the programme is to develop an understanding of the mechanisms controlling the strength of notched composites of different dimensions and hence to be able to predict scaling effects in composite structures without resorting to empirical laws. Adequate models do not currently exist, and extensive testing is necessary, which is very costly. The ability to predict the effect of size on strength would be a major step forward, that would reduce costs and increase the reliability of composite structures and encourage the more widespread usage of these materials in the aerospace and other industries.Notched tension will be investigated at Bristol University, whilst Imperial College will study compression and fatigue. Tests will be carried out on specimens with a range of different hole sizes, thicknesses and layups to investigate how damage mechanisms and strength are affected by specimen size. Finite element analysis will be undertaken, and correlated against experimental results. Closed form approaches will be developed for assessing notched strength, using as few empirical parameters as possible. These will be in a suitable form to be implemented within the design systems of the industrial partners.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk