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The Structural Integrity of Composite Materials and Long-Life Implementation of Composite Structures

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Beaumont, Peter W. R.  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2007-1629

Abstract

Abstract: Empirical or semi-empirical design methodologies at the macroscopic scale (structural level) can be supported and justified only by a fundamental understanding at the lower (microscopic) size scale through the physical model. Today structural integrity (SI) is thought as the optimisation of microstructure by controlling processing coupled with intelligent manufacturing of the material: to maximise mechanical performance and ensure reliability of the large scale structure; and to avoid calamity and misfortune. SI analysis provides quantitative input to the formulation of an appropriately balanced response to the problem. This article demonstrates that at the heart of the matter are those mechanisms of crack nucleation and growth that affect the structural integrity of the material: microscopic cracking events that are usually too small to observe and viewed only by microscopy.

Description

Funder: University of Cambridge

Keywords

Article, Composite materials, Structural integrity, Cracking and fracture, Physical modelling methods and analyses, Lifetime prediction, Structural health monitoring

Journal Title

Applied Composite Materials

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0929-189X
1573-4897

Volume Title

27

Publisher

Springer Netherlands