Due to insufficient models for damage tolerance a safety margin of 30 % is applied for the limit for strain at failure for carbon composites. In consequence considerable structural reserves in the post buckling regime remain unused in the todays design process. Novel simulation methods allow to exploit these reserves and further weight saving. Modelling techniques are required for textile composites in order to accurate design components made from this class of material. The Institute of Composites Structures and Adaptive Systems therefore performs research in the following topics:

Buckling of fuselages until collapse Presently the development of fast simulation tools for the post buckling behavior of fuselages is based on panel level, typically comprising a segment of 2-3 frames and 5-10 stringers. Full article

Degradation of material parameters due to damage Degradation of material parameters in the wake of damage is relevant for a fast analysis of damage tolerance as well as for the post buckling analysis. Full article

Modelling of textile composites Composites made from dry fabrics often show fibre waviness or even fibre meshing in contrast to uni-directional orientated fibre composites. Full article

Mechanical properties of textile composites So-called Liquid Composite Moulding (LCM) technologies (SLI, LRI, VAP, VARI, etc.) promise to realize severe cost savings compared to the prepreg technique. Full article