Design and Analysis of an Aircraft Composite Hinge Bracket Using Finite Element Approach

Abstract:

The use of composite materials in aircraft structures have been increasing for the past decade. The anisotropic and heterogeneous nature of composites remains a major challenge to the design and analysis of composite aircraft structures. Composite structures require a different design approach compared to the design of metallic structures. This paper aims to provide a step by step definitive guide to design and analyze composite structures using finite element approach. A simplified design model for the composite structural design was used to analyze an aircraft composite hinge bracket. The composite hinge bracket which is made of IM7/8552 laminated composite plates was successfully designed with a margin of safety of 0.216 and a weight savings of 43.77 percent was estimated.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 629)
• Pages: 158-163
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.629.158
• Online since: October 2014
• Authors: Wai Chee Mun*, Ahmad Rivai, Omar Bapokutty
• Keywords: Composite Design Methodology, Composite Laminates, Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

References

[1] A.R. Bunsell and J. Benard, Fundamentals of fibre reinforced composite materials, IOP Publishing Ltd, London, (2005).

[2] C. Soutis, Carbon fiber reinforced plastics in aircraft construction, Materials Science and Engineering A, 412 (2005) 171–176.

DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2005.08.064

[3] M.C.Y. Niu, Composite airframe structures, 3rd ed., Conmilit Press Ltd., Hong Kong, (2010).

[4] J.N. Reddy, Mechanics of laminated composite plates and shells: Theory and analysis, CRC Press, Boca Raton, (2004).

[5] R.F. Gibson, Principles of composite material mechanics, 3rd ed., Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, (2012).

[6] Z. Gurdal, R.T. Haftka, P. Hajela, Design and optimization of laminated composite materials, John Wiley & Sons, United States of America, (1999).

[7] E.J. Barbero, Introduction to composite materials design, 2nd ed., Taylor and Francis Group, United States of America, (2011).

[8] A. Aronsson, Design, modelling and drafting of composite structures, Master of Science Thesis, Lulea University of Technology, (2005).

[9] H. Karlsson, Evaluation of FE-software for mechanical analysis of composite materials, Master of Science Thesis, Lulea University of Technology, (2005).

[10] Hexcel, 2013. HexPly 8552 Epoxy Matrix (180°c/356°F curing matrix) Product Data. [Online] Available at: http: /www. hexcel. com/Resources/DataSheets/Prepreg-Data-Sheets/8552_eu. pdf.

[11] Hexcel, 2013. HexPly 8552 Epoxy Matrix Mid-Toughened, High Strength, Damage-Resistant, Structural Epoxy Matrix Product Data. [online] Available at: http: /www. hexcel. com/Resources/ DataSheets/Prepreg-Data-Sheets/8552_us. pdf.