Composite and Failure Investigation

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences

Module Name: Advanced Engineering Materials

Module Number : MECH70535

Title of Assignment : Composite and Failure Investigation 20% Module Total

Module Learning Outcomes for This Assignment

2. MODEL, SIMULATE AND PREDICT COMPOSITE MATERIALS' PROPERTIES USING MATHEMATICAL AND SOFTWARE TOOLS.	Analysis
4. DEVELOP AND CRITICALLY EVALUATE MODELS FOR MATERIAL FAILURE PREDICTION.	Problem Solving

Hand in deadline : via Turnitin as .doc or .pdf

Assessment Breakdown

Criteria	Mark/ Weight	Comments
Introduction/Theory Max 1000 words
Methods Max 500 words
Results Max 500 words + tables/graphs
Conclusion/Discussion/Recommendations Max 500 words
Presentation Spelling, technical language
References Full, appropriate and used well
Overall Mark/%

MECH70535 Advanced Engineering Materials Assignment 2

Aims-

· To optimise the design of a composite panel.

· To use the Weibull model as a means of monitoring quality and selecting/grouping modes of failure in brittle materials.

Outline Brief

As a result of recommendations in Assignment 1 Staffordshire Renewables have asked for detail design of a “Carbon-Fibre” blade surface asking for “maximum stiffness, minimum mass and minimum cost”.

However they are concerned about “performance” (by which they mean stiffness:weight, modulus of rupture and consistency) and how it could be improved.

They have already sourced some nominal 3mm sheet material for you to assess and have cut it into coupons for bend testing.

Your Task(s)

1. Using the CoDA suite of software, and data on a range of suitable materials eg Advanced Composites Group http://www.advanced-composites.co.uk/ design a suitable architecture to achieve the mechanical optimisation requested by Staffordshire Renewables.

2. Perform 4-point bend testing, or 3 Point Bend testing, (you will receive advice on loading rates etc) loading the material until it fractures. Break sufficient specimens to allow estimation of the Weibull modulus. (suggest 10 per group)

3. Analyse your fracture data set using the 3 parameter Weibull Model and comment on issues relating to the consistency of the sample and the issues of applying your findings to predicting behaviour in larger components.

4. Produce a report- template as per the coversheet