Physics-based Toolkit for Progressive Damage Prediction in Composites Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Topic No.: N161-010 Topic Title: Physics-based Toolkit for Progressive Damage Prediction in Composites Proposal No.: N161-010-0154 Firm: Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. 1046 New Holland Avenue Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601 Contact: Srujan Rokkam Phone: (717) 295-6059 Web Site: http://www.1-ACT.com Abstract: Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are attractive for several light-weight defense and aerospace applications. However, their inherent anisotropy and complex failure mechanisms limit their use in high-performance structures or components. Failure in FRP composites is a multi-scale process due to accumulation of progressive damage events. The failure behavior is also dependent on the nature of loads (impact, fatigue) and the environment. There is a need to develop new analysis tools that can model the multi-scale damage interactions within composite parts. Under this SBIR, ACT proposes to develop a peridynamics (PD) based meshless framework for capture of progressive damage in Fiber-reinforced composites subject to static, dynamic and fatigue loading conditions. To accomplish this ACT will advance a recently developed computational framework (in the realm peridynamics) which can account for both microscale damage and damage evolution in the form of crack growth and failure in composite structures. By virtue of the non-local formulation of peridynamics approach the governing equations are cast in the form of integro-differential equations which can be solved for propagation of cracks and discontinuities, without any need for re-meshing the domain or any additional prescription of crack paths. Benefits: In addition to addressing Navy's need for damage prediction in composite parts, the proposed research will also be beneficial to aerospace manufacturers, automobile, marine and other commercial industries. The fundamental insights gained in this work and the resulting toolkit (outcome of this project) will provide a computational means to evaluate the damage/crack phenomenon as function of composite material. The tool will also enable improvements to the design process of composites components. ACT will commercialize the developed computational framework for aircraft components by partnering with composite manufacturers in aerospace industry. Return