Date of Award
12-2002
Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
Degree Name
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
Department
Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair
Dr. Yi Zhao
Committee Member
Dr. Eric v. K. Hill
Committee Member
Dr. Frank J. Radosta
Abstract
Presently there is a lack of confidence amongst engineers when specifying the preload of a mechanical fastener in a composite joint due to a lack of a fundamental knowledge base regarding the behavior of composites under fastener compressive load. As such, a novel experimental procedure was developed herein to determine the through-the-thickness compressive (TTTC) material properties. A total of 206 property tests were performed on four different graphite/epoxy material systems. The results confirmed that TTTC material properties vary with fiber orientation, laminate thickness, fiber volume fraction, and even laminate surface finish. Hence, the 'rule of mixtures' provides a poor estimate of the TTTC modulus in that it fails to account for any of these variables.
Finally, acoustic emission nondestructive testing, along with a modified approach to MSFC-STD-486B, Torque Limits for Standard Threaded Fastener, were used to determine the torque limit of a fastener in a single lap joint. The laminate configuration examined in these tests was manufactured in accordance with the MIL-HDBK-17 design code. The results demonstrated the inability of the fasteners employed to damage the one composite system investigated: fastener thread failure occurred first. Further study is necessary to confirm or refute these results for other composite systems and joint configurations.
Scholarly Commons Citation
Kostreva, Kristian M., "Torque Limit of a Mechanical Fastener in a Graphite/Epoxy Joint" (2002). Master's Theses - Daytona Beach. 105.
https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses/105
