Defect/damage tolerance of pressurized fiber composite shells

Defect/damage tolerance and fracture of pressurized graphite/epoxy thin com posite shells are evaluated via computational simulation. An integrated com puter code that scales up constituent micromechanics level material propert ies to the structure level and accounts for all possible failure modes is u sed for the simulation of composite degradation under loading. Damage initi ation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to fracture are included in th e simulation. Design implications with regard to defect and damage toleranc e of thin-walled composite cylindrical shells are examined. A procedure is outlined regarding the use of this type of information for setting quality acceptance criteria, design allowables, damage tolerance, and retirement-fo r-cause criteria. Illustrative examples are presented for cylindrical and h emispherical shells. Results show that defects have a significant effect on the burst pressure. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.