This is a PYI award for FY88. The objective of this five year research is to develop advanced technologies for analyzing and designing advanced composite structures. Specifically the fundamental damage mechanisms, which includes matrix cracking, fiber buckling and delamination, and the resulting strength and stability of the damaged composite will be studied analytically and experimentally. The damage mechanisms will form the basis for assessing impact damage and damage tolerance of composites as well as developing design procedures for composite bonded/bolted joints.
