PROGRESSIVE FRACTURE OF COMPOSITE CYLINDRICAL-SHELLS SUBJECTED TO EXTERNAL-PRESSURE

Progressive fractures of laminated graphite/epoxy composite cylindrica l shells rue investigated under external hydrostatic pressure. An inte grated computer code is used for the simulation of composite structura l degradation under loading. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to structural fracture are included in the simulations . Results indicate that local defects do not have a significant effect on structural survivability under hydrostatic loading for thick compo site shells. Influence of constituent material properties and the effe cts of residual stresses on damage initiation and progression under ex ternal pressure are evaluated Structural safety and damage tolerance c haracteristics of a prototype composite cylindrical shell are examined .